Windows 7: Enterprise

By Patrick Nelson

The Microsoft Vista architectural changes at the kernel level introduced significant security enhancements over Windows XP.

Unfortunately, that security came with a slew of failed applications deployed within Vista.

Many applications simply did not work. Vista post Service Pack 1 has fixed a significant number of those issues.

Windows 7 pretty much shares the same architecture as Vista. You can reckon that on the whole, applications which work in Vista will be fine in Windows 7.

However, a migration from Windows XP to Windows 7 could open a can of worms.

The key to a successful deployment of any operating system is to plan.

Build an accurate list of applications—your application portfolio; prioritize and rationalize the applications you want to test and support; test; and then mitigate problems by upgrading, retiring etc.

Microsoft has tools that help inventory the applications you have in your environment and gives you strategies to deal with issues that may come up in upgrading to Windows 7.

The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) should help the transition. ACT lets you collect data on the applications, analyze it and then create a report.

The report will let you see problems anticipated with the applications and devices. It also lets you set priorities and categorize the application.

The latest version is ACT 5.5. The files for this toolkit can be downloaded here.

ACT itself needs a bit of planning to deploy. Issues to consider are how to deploy the Data Collection Package—across many geographic locations, for example.

Microsoft provides a Deployment Guide, Quick Start Guide and Step-by-Step guides at the link too.

It’s worth reading the Deployment Guide in some depth—particularly if you’ve never upgraded an operating system before--as it includes some useful pointers, including pointers related to capturing the most accurate data.

For example it suggests collecting data at the beginning of the week, to avoid weekends.

Improvements in ACT 5.5 includes improved community data review and sharing-- including support for the Microsoft Compatibility Exchange.

Updated issue detection specifically for Windows 7 is introduced. The Known Compatibility Fixes, Compatibility Modes, and AppHelp Messages section of the ACT online Help system has been updated to include specific details for more of the included compatibility fixes.

You can now customize the quick reports view and filter Windows 7. Adding unique labels to applications is added.

Further sharing of data is included with the ability to join Microsoft’s Customer Experience Program. Internet Explorer 8 is now supported.

Plus, there are new ways to update ACT to future versions. Internet Explorer Compatibility Evaluator (IECE) is removed from ACT 5.5 as is SQL Server 2000 support.