compatibility

Here's a great question from an Infopackets subscriber who has written to us before: "Dear Infopackets Team: I've recently upgraded my computer from Windows Vista to Windows 7. While most of the software I have for Vista works well on Win 7, some of ... my Windows XP applications don't. For example, the auto-installer for Quicken 2000 doesn't work on Windows 7 64-bit. I heard that Windows has a compatibility feature that will allow me to run Windows XP programs on Windows 7. Can you please explain what this feature is and how to use it? Thanks for your helpful information, Jennie B." My ... (view more)

Late yesterday Microsoft revealed that it had made available Release Candidate software allowing Windows 7 users to operate a virtual edition of its still very popular Windows XP. The news is good for those of us still hesitant to make the upgrade ... to Windows 7. Although most of us won't know for sure how well 'XP Mode' will work until Windows 7 is released on October 22, many faithful XP users will be happy to hear that they can switch back in time if the Win7 interface isn't to their liking. CPU Virtualization Required Windows XP Mode Release Candidate is currently available for download ... (view more)

Microsoft says it's working with 10,000 software and hardware manufacturers to maximize the compatibility of Windows 7, in an attempt to avoid one of the most critical issues with Windows Vista. Bill Veghte, the Microsoft executive who oversees ... Windows development, says the work of 10,000 firms towards optimum compatibility is evidence that his company is serious about making the Windows 7 experience a convenient, easy, and enjoyable one. Veghte went on to say that the current efforts are unprecedented for the release candidate stage and Microsoft normally doesn't get to the 10,000 firm ... (view more)

Apparently Microsoft has learned a few lessons from some of their many Windows Vista fiascos . In a move that appears aimed at backwards compatibility, some versions of Windows 7 will include a virtualized Windows XP mode. Dubbed Windows XP Mode, or ... XPM (formerly known as Virtual Windows XP or Virtual XP, VXP) will ship alongside the Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) in May and then in its final version with Windows 7's own ultimate release. (Source: itwire.com ) Dramatic Changes in Compatibility XPM is the next generation Microsoft Virtual PC 7 product line, and according to Rafael Rivera and ... (view more)

Vista Compatibility and Vista Certified seem to mean many different things to both Microsoft and other manufacturers of software applications. It would be nice to get a clearer definition of each, if that's at all possible. One of the latest fiascos ... involving Vista compatibility involves Roxio's Easy Media Creator. In September 2006 when Sonic Solutions introduced the program, Vista compatibility was a point of emphasis. Roxio was touted as a "Windows Vista Premier Launch Partner" when Vista was rolled out. Sonic bragged that their DVD burning technology was being incorporated by Microsoft in ... (view more)

The recent release of Microsoft Vista and Exchange 2007 has IT managers and system administrators taking a long hard look at upgrading their organization's infrastructures reports. (Source: processor.com ). While there may be some advantages to the ... new products such as enhanced security features, optimized mobility functions and integrated searching, there are just as many if not more challenges, including hardware upgrades and compatibility issues. Keith McCall, founder and CTO of Azaleos, a company that builds appliances with Microsoft software preloaded and preconfigured then provides ... (view more)

If you're wondering how compatible a number of applications are with Vista, you'll be pleased to hear that Microsoft's latest operating system supports most notable entries. The company has recently released an official list, which includes 100 of ... Microsoft's own products. In addition, a number of surprises appear from direct competitors of the Washington state based company, like Google Toolbar. The list Microsoft has comprised is officially called its "Certified" applications. The titles that make the grade have been labeled "Certified for Windows Vista", in a somewhat similar manner to ... (view more)