Module Overview

This module introduces Windows 7 application installation and compatibility issues.

Goals
After you complete this module, you will be able to do the following:
• Discuss potential Windows 7 application issues.
• Troubleshoot Windows 7 application compatibility issues.

Expected Time for this Module

This module takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
The lab in this module takes an additional 15 minutes to complete.

Application Installation and Compatibility

Microsoft is committed to maximizing compatibility for applications that work with Windows Vista running
on Windows 7. Much of the work done to remediate applications in Windows Vista will carry over to
Windows 7 due to the underlying similarity of the two operating systems. Most of the compatibility issues
are the same as those encountered during the transition from Windows XP to Windows Vista. You will
troubleshoot application compatibility issues as you would other update installation problems.

Transitioning from Windows XP to Windows 7

When you transition from Windows XP to Windows 7 it is recommended that you first run the Windows 7
Upgrade Advisor. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/upgrade-advisor.aspx. The Windows 7
Upgrade Advisor will give you a report telling you if your PC can run Windows 7, and if there are any known
compatibility issues. If the issues can be resolved, you'll get suggestions for next steps. For example, it'll let
you know if you need an updated software driver. You'll also get advice on how to upgrade to Windows 7.

Windows 7 Action Center Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

The Windows Troubleshooting Platform can reduce calls to the help desk by diagnosing and resolving
common issues, and by providing built-in troubleshooters for several different types of problems including
audio, video, and networking.

One of the new troubleshooters in Windows 7 checks for program compatibility. The troubleshooter
performs the following actions to attempt to make older programs run in the new Windows version:
• Test runs programs using recommended compatibility settings.
• Allows you to choose compatibility settings based on the problems you notice.
 It is recommended that you click the Advanced link shown in the starting page of the troubleshooter above.
This gives you an option to Run as administrator, as well as an option to disable automatic repairs.

When the troubleshooter locates a problem, you are presented with information about the problem and
can get additional information by clicking View detailed information link.

View detailed information

Clicking the view detailed information link opens a troubleshooting report.

This troubleshooting report displays the following information:

 • Issues found and recommended solution or solution applied (if available)
• Detection details
• Collection information
• Publisher details

Windows 7 Compatibility Center

If a customer is experiencing application compatibility issues, the first step is to navigate to and run the
Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. If the troubleshooter does not resolve the problem, navigate to the
Windows 7 Compatibility Center. This site checks for compatibility and find compatible hardware or
software. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility
• If a program that is known-compatible with Windows 7 won’t install:
• Use clean boot troubleshooting methods as you would to resolve any program issue.
• Redirect to the program vendor for assistance when standard methods do not resolve the issue.
Note: Before contacting the program vendor, try installing a new driver, depending on the application
(such as updating a sound or video driver), using the Windows Update Catalog to search for and
download the update. See the Windows Update module for more information. Windows Update
Catalog: http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx.
• If a program that is known-compatible with Windows 7 won’t launch or you have problems using
the application:
• Use the Windows 7 Action Center Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.
• Troubleshoot as you would other application compatibility issues.
• If the program is not known to be compatible with Windows 7
• Use the same methods as were applied to such programs in Windows Vista. See the Windows
Vista training and Microsoft Knowledge Base content for specifics.
• If it is a web-based application accessed via Internet Explorer:
• See the Internet Explorer training for details on IE8 compatibility troubleshooting.

Security and System Utility Software

There is a class of applications that are always updated in tandem with a new Windows release. These
applications are primarily system utilities, diagnostics, and security software. These applications interact
with the OS at a low level, and often bypass normal programming interfaces. We publish API documentation
 to give program vendors a reliable method to ensure version-to-version compatibility. When programs use
other methods to interact with Windows, it leads to unforeseen compatibility issues. Fortunately these
issues tend to be well understood by these program vendors, so they are typically ready with updates or
new versions that work with the latest Windows release. Customers should expect to update Antivirus,
Antispyware, Firewall, Spam filter, utility, and diagnostics programs.

Antivirus software that is compatible with Windows 7 is listed on the Security Software Provider site located
at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-7.aspx.

.NET Framework
Windows 7 includes the following versions of the .NET Framework:
• v1.0.3705
• v1.1.4322
• v2.0.50727
• v3.0
• v3.5

Issues encountered in consumer support for Windows 7 are expected to be similar to the issues
encountered with Windows Vista today. Specifically you may see program errors due to the need for a later
.NET Framework version, or you could encounter issues while trying to install updates for .NET.

Troubleshooting .NET Version Issues

To determine the versions of the .NET Framework you have installed, use the steps in this article:
318785 How to determine which versions of the .NET Framework are installed and whether service packs
have been applied. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/kb00318785.aspx

Compare your findings using the procedure in that article with the versions specified as required by the
program vendor.

Troubleshooting .NET Update Issues

If you are having a problem installing updates for the .NET Framework, first check to be sure that the update
applies to a version of the Framework you have installed. Installed versions include the list above, as well as
the versions shown when you check Control Panel / Programs / View installed updates.

Start with standard update installation troubleshooting. If normal update installation troubleshooting does
not resolve the issue, follow the steps below.
1. Remove installed versions of .NET Framework before removing versions that were pre-installed on
the computer.
Note: To remove installed versions go to Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features\Uninstall a
Program.
2. Remove and re-add the in-box .NET Framework support via Control Panel / Programs / Turn Windows
features on or off.
3. Install later Framework versions and updates one-by-one.

64-Bit Windows Applications

64-bit Windows applications are built to take advantage of large memory capabilities of 64-bit hardware and
Windows. 64-bit applications cannot be run on 32-bit Windows, even when a 64-bit processor is present on
the system.
 Currently most consumer applications are built using 32-bit technology, running on 64-bit Windows using a
'Windows on Windows 64-bit' (WOW64) layer for compatibility.
Note: 64-bit editions of Windows cannot run 16-bit programs. This is less an issue today as 16-bit programs
are not in common use, particularly on home PCs.

. Lab Application Installation and Compatibility Troubleshooting

Lab Overview
In this lab you will install a Windows program, and use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to
simulate resolving a problem running the program in Windows 7.

Expected Time for this Lab

This lab takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Requirements
To perform this lab you will need the following:
• A PC with Windows 7 installed
• Internet connectivity

Exercise: Troubleshooting Application Compatibility

1. Find and download a small free program for Windows. Examples you could choose include:
a. Microsoft Word Viewer
b. Trial software from Microsoft
c. Antispyware software
Antivirus software that is compatible with Windows 7 is listed here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-7.aspx
2. Install the program.
3. Note any program compatibility messages you encounter during or after the installation. If you encounter
problems with the installation, use the Program Compatibility features in Windows to resolve the issues.
4. If you encountered no issues during installation, start the program. Note any problems or program
compatibility messages you encounter.
5. Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter and follow steps to resolve an issue with your program.
6. Try several options in the troubleshooter to simulate different issues/resolutions.