overcoming the application compatibility hurdle in windows 7

Vijay Raj, Texas Instruments

http://www.msigeek.com

Overcoming the application compatibility hurdle in Windows 7

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About Me

Work at Texas InstrumentsExpertise in Application Setups & Deployment (MVP)STEP Member for Windows 7Passionate about Technology EvangelismAvid Blogger at www.msigeek.com Excited about Cricket and MusicFan of Mark Russinovich, Sachin and Rahman!

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Session Outline

Top Focus Areas when you move to Windows 7What has changed in Windows 7How it would affect the applications?

Methods to mitigate the Compatibility IssuesApplication Compatibility Toolkit 5.5

Basics, Setup Instructions, Analyzing ACT Reports, Standard User Analyzer and Shims

Overview of Microsoft Virtualization SolutionsSimple steps to fix Broken Applications

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Session Takeaways

Learn how to start your Application Compatibility ProcessHow to work with ShimsMethods to mitigate and fix Broken Applications

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Windows 7 Builds on Windows Vista

Few Changes: Most software that runs on Windows Vista will run on Windows 7 - exceptions will be low level code (AV, Firewall, Imaging, etc).

Hardware that runs Windows Vista well will run Windows 7 well.

Few Changes: Focus on quality and reliability improvements

Deep Changes: New models for security, drivers, deployment, and networking

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Biggest Concern* of Application Compatibility

* Springboard Series Twitter Poll during VRT 1

16 Bit Apps64 Bit AppsInternal AppsUnsigned DriversMoving to Standard User

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General Hitches faced by the user!

My App shows a dialog “This Operating System is not supported”I have an old printer, but that doesn’t work!My Application throws the UAC dialog every time I launch an application!When I click on update options in my application, I get an access denied error.I don’t see a web browser element, when I open my website on Windows 7

Now how do we fix them?

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Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5What is ACT?

Collection of tools to:Inventory for software, hardware, and device assetsCompatibility evaluation for all of the aboveGet Vendor Support StatementsRecommendations for fixing applicationsTools to apply compatibility fixes or “shims” to applications

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Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5ACT Process in a Simple Block Diagram

Collect an Application Inventory

Rationalize and Consolidate Applications

Analyze for Compatibility

and ISV Support

Test for and Mitigate

Compatibility Issues

ACT Walkthrough, Reports

Demo

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Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5High Level Architecture in an Organization

Log Processing Service and

DB

Data Collection Package/Compatibility Evaluators

Inventory Windows 7 Update

Desktop Topology

Hyderabad BangaloreHR Finance

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Application Compatibility

Manager

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VinodVijay

Internet

Compatibility Exchange

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Windows Vista

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Shims and Layers

What are Shims and Layers?When to Use Shims

Vender no longer in businessInternal applicationsSupport negotiable

Application Import Table Shim Windows

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How Shims and Layers Work

Windows

Shim

Application Child Application

Layer

Creating Shims and Deploying them both in a machine and Enterprise

Demo

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Top 10 System SDB files

1. GameUX2. VirtualRegistry3. CorrectFilePaths4. Win95VersionLie5. WinXPSP2VersionLie6. IgnoreAltTab7. ShimViaEAT8. AOLFindBundledInstaller9. ElevateCreateProcess10. OpenDirectoryACL

Win XP Mode – Running two different version of IE browsers, Using lower version of Software

Demo

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Other Solutions for App Compat Issues

Remote Application

Hosting

Desktop Virtualization

Virtualize Applications

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Data Center

Remote Application Hosting

Reduces client-side regression testing, patching, OS to OS conflictsApplications can be closer to centralized data, speeding operationsRapid application deployments and easier patching

Desktops

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Centrally manage Virtual PCsSimplify Virtual PC image delivery and updateSeamless presentation of windows in a Virtual PC

Desktop Virtualization

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Isolates applications from each otherMinimizes app-to-app conflicts and compatibility testingEnhances application provisioningProvide real-time usage reports

Application Virtualization (App-V)

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Summing up

Windows 7 is more feature rich in terms of Security and reliability. Always test your applications as Standard UsersAppCompat is a critical Process –

Microsoft takes this very seriouslyLots of free tools available online to help with developers and ITPros

With all the work and leveraging Windows 7, You will know realize that, “ The Juice is worth the Squeeze..!”

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References

Chris Jackson’s Blog - http://blogs.msdn.com/cjacks/AppCompat VRTs - http://www.microsoft.com/springboard Microsoft TechNet - http://www.technet.com/appcompatHow To’s and Tips - http://appcompat.msigeek.comFollow me on Twitter at @msigeek

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Related Sessions

Why is Terminal Services called Remote Desktop Services? – Apr 13 – 2.30 to 3.30Virtualization Scenarios for Business Critical Applications – Apr 14 – 11.15 to 12.15How to pick the right Desktop Virtualization solution –Apr 14 – 3.45 to 4.45

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