WCL201 Windows Vista Application Compatibility and the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0 (WCL201) Windows Vista Application Compatibility.

WCL201Windows Vista Application Compatibility and the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0 (WCL201)

Suma SaganeGowda

Program Manager

Application Compatibility Toolkit

Microsoft Corporation

Peg McNicol

Product Manager

Application Compatibility Toolkit

Microsoft Corporation

Agenda

• Windows Vista – Innovation and Compatibility

• Top Compatibility Issues in Windows Vista

• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0

• Call To Action

• Resources

• Question and Answer

Innovation and CompatibilityWindows Vista Pillars

• Security

• Reliability

• Application Compatibility (most applications just work)

• Performance

• Feedback and Supportability

Improvements in Windows Vista occasionally break compatibility. Microsoft has created these tools and services to help with Application Compatibility

• Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 (ACT)

• Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0

• Vista Readiness Assessment Tool

• Application Compatibility Factory

• Windows Logo programs

• SWAT team and on campus labs

Agenda

• Windows Vista – Innovation and Compatibility

• Top Compatibility Issues in Windows Vista

• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0

• Call To Action

• Resources

• Question and Answer

Top Compatibility Issues With Windows Vista

• User Account Control (UAC)

• Windows Resource Protection (WRP)

• Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode

• Windows Vista 64-bit

• Windows Filtering Platform

• Deprecations/GINA/Session 0 (High Impact/Low Frequency)

• Operating System Version Change

• Overall, high compatibility in Windows Vista

User Account Control (UAC)

Description

• Enabling users to run with a standard user account

• Security feature to reduce introduction of vulnerabilities (Malware, Trojan, Viruses)

Issues

• Custom installers and updaters need administrator privileges

• Unnecessary administrator checks

• Writing to file or registry locations that are not virtualized

Mitigation

• Some common shims - Virtualization shims, Force Admin Access

• Relax ACL's on files and folders

Windows Resource Protection (WRP)

Description

• Increase system stability by protecting Windows resources (files, folders, registry).

Issues

• Application installers that attempt to replace, modify, or delete OS files and/or registry keys that are protected will fail with an access denied error message because the resource could not be updated.

Remedies

• Never repackage Microsoft redistributables (use the Microsoft provided redistributable package instead).

• Do not write to system files and registry keys.

Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode

Description

• Internet Explorer 7 runs in Protected Mode, with greatly restricted privileges

Issues

• IE cannot modify user files, registry keys

• Applications may not know how to handle new prompts requesting user permissions

Mitigation

• Add the site in question to the trusted sites list.

Windows Vista 64-bit Description

• Windows Vista fully supports the 64-bit architecture processors from AMD and Intel.

• The 64-bit version of Windows Vista can run all 32-bit applications with the help of the WOW64 emulator.

Issues

• Applications or components that use 16-bit executables, 16-bit installers or 32-bit kernel drivers will either fail to start or will function improperly on a 64-bit edition of Windows Vista.

Remedies

• Remove all 16-bit components.

• Convert 16-bit installers to 32-bit or 64-bit installers

• Ensure that all 64-bit drivers are digitally signed

Deprecations

Description

• Deprecations – removal of APIs or DLLs from Windows Vista that existed in Windows XP

Issues

• Applications lose functionality or don’t start up correctly

Remedies

• Search MSDN to look for replacement of API

Graphical Identification and Authentication (GINA)

Description

• Windows Vista introduces a new authentication model (new Credential Provider API)

Issues

• Users will not be able to logon using Custom logon applications. These may include:

• Biometric devices (fingerprint reader)

• Custom UI for logon

• Virtual private network (VPN) solutions for remote users with custom logon UI

Remedies

• The applications or components that use the GINA technology will need to be re-authored to use the new logon authentication model for Windows Vista

• For all credential provider information and questions, send e-mail to the Shell Credential Provider alias: [email protected]

Session 0

Description

• Services are isolated to run in their own private Session (Session 0) to enhance security.

• Users no longer share this session

Issues

• Services with user interaction may hang as UI is not visible to the user

Remedies

• Update Apps, to ensure services do not display UI

• In-box mitigation where notification is sent to current user when there is UI in Session 0

Operating System Version Change

Description

• The internal version number for Windows Vista is changed to 6. The GetVersion function will now return this version number to applications when queried.

Issues

• Any application that specifically checks for the OS version will get a higher version number which it may not be designed to handle

• Application installers may prevent themselves from installing and applications may prevent themselves from starting.

Mitigation

• Use compatibility administrator and apply XP SP2 layer or version lie shim

Agenda

• Windows Vista – Innovation and Compatibility

• Top Compatibility Issues in Windows Vista

• Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.0

• Call To Action

• Resources

• Question and Answer

Application Compatibility Toolkit

Customer Target

• Medium/Large Businesses and Large Enterprises

Mission

• A lifecycle management tool that assists in identifying and managing your overall application/device/computer portfolio, reducing the cost and time involved in resolving application compatibility issues, and helping you quickly deploy Windows Vista and Windows Updates.

Strategy

• Help detect, diagnose, and mitigate compatibility issues found in Windows Vista

• Microsoft Compatibility Exchange to facilitate exchange of compatibility data between ISV/IHV, Microsoft, and customers

• Deliver tools that are timely and relevant to Windows releases

ACT 5.0 - High Level Architecture

Log Log Processing Processing

ServiceService

Local Local ACT DBACT DB

Agent Framework/Compatibility EvaluatorsAgent Framework/Compatibility Evaluators

InventoryInventory IEIE UACUAC UCEUCE Etc…Etc…

Compatibility ExchangeCompatibility Exchange

Desktop TopologyDesktop Topology

InterneInternett

`

`

EuropeEurope North AmericaNorth AmericaHRHR FinanceFinance

11

22

44

Application Application CompatibilityCompatibility

ManagerManager

33

WilmaWilmaBettyBetty

ACT Methodology

Collect Data Analyze Test

Inventory Applications and Devices

Gatherhigh-level compatibility evaluator data

In-depth testing with dev/test tools

Log test data

Build and test mitigations

Prioritize and Categorize

Synchronize data with Microsoft Compatibility Exchange

Identify high-level issues

COLLECT

Inventory and Compatibility Data

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ACT Data Collection Architecture

Desktop Topology

Data Collection Packages

Inventory Collector

IE Evaluator UAC Evaluator Vista Evaluator

Log Processing ServiceACT Database

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Application Compatibility Manager

Compatibility Evaluators for Vista1. Inventory Collector

• Gathers data on a computer regarding applications, devices (device manager), and system information.

2. User Account Control• Detects which applications may have issues with running as Standard User on

Vista

3. Windows Vista• Deprecations - identifies applications that are loading binaries or using APIs

that will be removed in Vista

• GINA - identifies applications that installed a Graphical Identification and Authentication (GINA) DLL

• Session 0 - identifies applications with interactive services

4. Internet Explorer• Detects compatibility issues with web applications due to IE security features

Compatibility Evaluator for Updates• Detects applications impacted by Windows Updates

Windows Updates Enterprise Desktop Topology

Update Manifest

Update Compatibility

Evaluator Data

Application Compatibility

Manager

UpdateCompatibility

Evaluator

ACT - CollectACT - CollectACT - CollectACT - Collect

ANALYZEPrioritize, Categorize, Rationalize, Synchronize and Manage compatibility data

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Prioritize, Categorize, Rationalize

25

Consolidated view from all data providers

Features:Features: IT Pros helping each other IT Pros helping each other

out by sharing of application out by sharing of application compatibility rating with compatibility rating with communitycommunity

Secure and privacy Secure and privacy compliant transactionscompliant transactions

Simple and easy to share Simple and easy to share Submission can be Submission can be

anonymous or by user nameanonymous or by user name Partner with MCS and Partner with MCS and

deployment specialist in deployment specialist in building and seeding building and seeding community datacommunity data

Scalable solutionScalable solution

Works for Works for me!me!

1. Community1. Community

See risk See risk rating rating and/or and/or issues issues

summary summary

IT Pro IT Pro (Enterprise (Enterprise

A)A)IT Pro IT Pro

(Enterprise (Enterprise B)B)

CompatibilitCompatibility Exchangey Exchange

InternetInternet

Features:Features: Feedback mechanism to Feedback mechanism to

vendors on most requested vendors on most requested applicationsapplications

Authoritative data Authoritative data compliments community compliments community ratingrating

Leverage existing Microsoft Leverage existing Microsoft data repositories (test, data repositories (test, certification, logo, vendor certification, logo, vendor portal)portal)

Limited data due to Limited data due to dependencies on Vendor dependencies on Vendor Portal and test teamPortal and test team

Analysis Analysis and and

ReportingReporting

App Compat App Compat TestingTesting

Certify app Certify app works works

ororPublish issuesPublish issues

ISVISV

Microsoft Logo Microsoft Logo and Certificationand Certification

2. Authoritative Sources2. Authoritative Sources

Microsoft Compatibility Exchange

ACT - Analyze ACT - Analyze ACT - Analyze ACT - Analyze

TEST AND MITIGATE

Test, Debug, Resolve, Deploy Solutions

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Developer and Tester Tools• Standard User Analyzer

• Provides a way for testers to further test the LOB applications to determine what will fail as Standard User on Vista

• Internet Explorer Test Tool• Provides a way for testers to further test the intranet web applications to

understand the exact issue and determine which of their web applications will not work with IE 7

• Setup Analysis Tool• Detects issues such as WRP, installing of 32 bit kernel mode drivers, 16

bit components to flag any of your packages which could run into this issue

• Compatibility Administrator• Helps IT Admins, Developers, Testers create and test compatibility

shim/fixes (no code changes required)

ACT – Test and Mitigate ACT – Test and Mitigate ACT – Test and Mitigate ACT – Test and Mitigate

FeatureACT 5.0

BetaACT 5.0

RTW

Client tool for Reporting and Analysis

Configuration Wizard

Inventory Collector

Internet Explorer Compatibility Evaluator (websites)

UAC Compatibility Evaluator

Update Compatibility Evaluator

Microsoft Compatibility Exchange

Website Reports (integrated in ACM)

Prioritize, Categorize, and Deployment Tracking

Devices Support

Vista Compatibility Evaluators (GINA, Session 0, Deprecated Components)

Compatibility Administrator (fix applications)

Filter and Custom Report

Developer Tester Tools (IE, SUA, Setup Analysis)

Integration with SMS

ACT Feature Comparison

Call To Action

Download ACT 5.0 RC Now!!• http://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=81

Windows Vista Application Compatibility Training• 2.5 days of intense learning to detect, troubleshoot and mitigate Windows Vista application

compatibility issues

Day 1: Windows Vista Application Compatibility Fundamentals - Lectures and demos to recognize and resolve the most common Windows Vista app compatibility issues: User Account Control (UAC), Windows Resource Protection (WRP), Session 0 Isolation, IE7 protected mode and more

Day 2: Application Compatibility tools and techniques - Lectures and hands-on-labs about ACT 5.0, Standard User Analyzer, LUA Buglight, Shims and other troubleshooting techniques

Day 3: Debugging Demystified - Hands-on-labs for setting up a debugging environment, debugging failed apps with WinDbg, and handling crash dumps

• Provided free of charge by the AE SWAT team

• Contact: [email protected]

Leverage services provided by Microsoft and Partners• Application Compatibility Factory, On campus labs, Windows Logo Program

Application Compatibility Resources

For IT Professionals:

Application Compatibility in Windows Vistahttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/appcompat/default.mspx

Business Desktop Deployment Solution Accelerator

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/desktopdeployment/bddoverview.mspx

Download ACT 5.0 RChttp://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=81

For Developers:Application Compatibility Cookbookhttp://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dnlong/html/AppComp.asp 

Windows Vista Application Development Requirements for User Account Control http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/6/a/56a0ed11-e073-42f9-932b-38acd478f46d/WindowsVistaUACDevReqs.doc

Questions related to SUA [email protected]

ACT Newsgroup:http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?

dg=microsoft.public.deployment.app_compatibility

Related Sessions

• Breakout Sessions/Chalk Talks

• WCLCT07 – Windows Application Compatibility and the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT 5.0), Thu Nov 16 10:45 - 12:00

• WCLCT05 - Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007 and Vista Deployment Best practices, Thu Nov 16 13:30 - 14:45

• MGTCT07 - Drilldown into SoftGrid Application Virtualization, Fri 17 Nov 13:30 -14:45

• MGT324 - Vista and Office 2007 in a Flash: Accelerating your Vista and Office 2007 Deployments with SoftGrid and SMS 2003, Fri 17 Nov 9:00 - 10:15

• MGT320 - Using Application Virtualization to Decrease Your Application Management TCO, Fri 17 Nov 15:15 - 16:30

• HOL’s

• WCLHOL09 - Application Compatibility Toolkit for Windows Vista (ACT 5)

Ask The ExpertsGet Your Questions Answered

You can find us at the Microsoft Ask the Experts area, located in the Exhibition Hall:

Thursday 16 November 14:45 – 15:45

Friday 17 November 10:15 – 10:45

Friday 17 November Lunch

Compatibility Evaluators – Supported Platforms

Agent Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows Server 2003 Windows Vista

Collector Yes Yes Yes Yes

IECE No Yes (with IE7) Yes (with IE7) Yes

UACCE Yes Yes Yes Yes

Vista (Deprecations/ GINA/Session 0)

Yes Yes Yes No

IE Test Tool No Yes (with IE7) Yes (with IE7) Yes

Setup Monitor Yes - Guest only

Yes Yes No

SUA No Yes Yes Yes

UCE Yes Yes Yes No

Inventory Collector

• Scans computer for devices, application, and system information

• Locations we search for applications -

• .Msi (Windows Installer database)

• Add/Remove Programs

• (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\*)

• Windows Shell (Start menu)

• App Path (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\*)

• Locations pointed to by path environment variables (%PATH%)

• Registered file extension handlers (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\*)

• Registry Run (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\*)

• Service Control Manager (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\*)

• (Filters out Windows Components/Features)

User Account Control Compatibility Evaluator

• Detects what applications will have issues with running as Standard User on Windows Vista

• Issues Detected -

File Operations

• Lets the user know if the file will be virtualized

• If not, lets the user know the access is restricted (e.g. locations like Program Files which only admins have access)

Registry Operations

• Lets the user know if the registry key will be virtualized

• If not, lets the user know the access is restricted (e.g. locations like HKLM which only admins have access)

Profile API operations

• Checks if any applications are writing into any system ini files (including win.ini)

Elevation Detection

• Detects applications that need to run elevated/ as administrator (i.e. setup.exe)

Internet Explorer Compatibility Evaluator

• Detects Compatibility issues with web applications due to IE security features

• Issues detected -

• (IE6) - LMZL, Mime Handling, Windows Restrictions, Zone Elevation, Binary Behaviors, Object Caching, ActiveX Blocking, Popup Blocking, Download Blocking, CURL - Centralized URL Parsing, International Domain Names (IDN) Support, SSL, XDom Barrier, Manage Add-ons, Anti-Phishing, Cross Frame navigation, CSS fixes

• (IE7) - All of the above plus: Protected Mode

• More details about the issues

• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/IETechCol/cols/dnexpie/ie7_compat_log.asp?frame=true

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor

Customer Target

• Consumer and small businesses

Mission

• Assist customers in upgrading from Windows XP to Windows Vista

Features

• Scans a single computer to create compatibility report for upgrading to Windows Vista

• Provide reports on system, device, and application compatibility issues

• Helps you choose the edition of Windows Vista best fits the way you use your computer

© 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.This presentation is for informational purposes only.MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.