A: Windows 8 has the new Windows Runtime (WinRT) environment that supports the new immersive Windows 8 applications (formally known as "Metro-style" applications). The Windows 8 WinRT applications are typically installed via the Windows Store; however, an organization's line-of-business applications can also be installed in a process known as side-loading. To side-load applications, you must enable the Group Policy setting Allow all trusted applications to install under Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\App Package Deployment and either of the following must be true:
- The PC is running Windows 8 Enterprise or Windows Server 2012 and is joined to a domain.
- The PC is running Windows 8 Enterprise edition and isn't joined to a domain or any other version of Windows 8 (such as Pro) and has a side-loading product activation key installed.
Product activation keys for non-Windows 8 Enterprise editions joined to a domain will be available for purchase by organizations.
After the above conditions are met, you can use the Add-AppXPackage cmdlet to install the appx files that comprise the Windows 8 runtime applications. Full details can be found at the Microsoft article "How to Add and Remove Apps."