Mark AslettMicrosoft

maslett@microsoft.com

Introduction to Application Compatibility

Why do we need to consider Application Compatibility?

Application Compatibility

Windows 7 brings…• Enhanced security• Reliability improvements• Some existing features updated• New features are introduced

But…• Some features removed• Tighter control over application execution

Getting Started with Application Compatibility

• Planning for Application Compatibility

• Understand some the tools that are available

• Introduction to Application Compatibility Toolkit tools

Session Objectives

Don’t underestimate the work ahead…

But it’s NOT an impossible challenge

Where To Start?

Start with a Vision and Scope

• Have a clear goals for the upgrade project• Define you application management strategy• Get support from your organization and find a project

sponsor

Planning the Project

User Manual

Test

Application Compatibility Project PlanStart

Automated Analysis

Assessment

Initial Budget

ACT Inventory

Refine Budget Rationalize Refine

Budget

Detailed Automated

Analysis

App Install

Green?

Install Manual

Test

App Run

Green?

Remediate

Runtime Manual

Test

Ready To DeployFinish

Yes Yes

No No

Use your organizations tool of choice if you trust the data… or consider Microsoft ACT

Application Auditing

Collect

• Application Details• Division or organization• Role• Usage

But don’t try and collect every last piece of information

Filter applications early and inexpensively

Analyze Audit Information

Start

Remove Duplicates

Remove Multiple Versions

Remove Hardware

Apps

Remove Obvious

Noise

Involve Business Owners

Finish

Categorize Applications

Prioritize Applications

• Business Critical – Money is lost without these• Important – The business cannot run for long without

them• Nice to have – Having them will keep people happy• Unimportant – Should they still be in the list?

Use Categories to drive remediation behavior

• Business Critical - Unbounded by time• Important – 16 hours?• Nice to have – 8 hours?• Unimportant – 0 hours!

Application Compatibility Tools

Which one tool solves all your compatibility problems?

Application Compatibility Tools

App-VMED-V

ACT 5.6

XP Mode

Static Analysis Tools

Disable UAC

VDIRemote Desktop

Shims

Just causes a lot of prompts and should be turned off?

User Account Control

UAC is an aid to running all users as a Standard User

• Helps compatibility issues with file and registry virtualization

• Disabling UAC turns off Internet Explorer Protected Mode• Protected Mode causes IE to run in a restricted

context• Low integrity level prevents malicious code

making system changes

Microsoft App-V

Application Virtualization

• Does NOT isolate applications from the OS

• Isolates applications from one another

• Possible to shim sequenced applications

• Other benefits• New licensing and application deployment

options• Key part of a bigger virtualization vision

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization

MED-V

• Machine virtualization solution• Application actually run on a Windows XP OS• User sees only the application window

• Centrally managed

• Part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack• Small businesses can use XP Mode

• Compelling IE6 application compatibility story• Seamless redirection of the browser

Strengths of ACT 5.6

• Inventory tool• Application runtime analysis• Compatibility agent data is useful when

used at the right time• Shim creation and management• Standard User Analyzer

Microsoft ACT 5.6

User Manual

Test

ACT and the Project Plan

StartAutomated

Analysis Assessment

Initial Budget

ACT Inventory

Refine Budget Rationalize Refine

Budget

Detailed Automated

Analysis

App Install

Green?

Install Manual

Test

App Run

Green?

Remediate

Runtime Manual

Test

Ready To DeployFinish

Yes Yes

No No

A number of tools available from partners• Run offline against applications so can test

1000’s of rules• Can run detailed analysis against application

installation processes• Can be powerful tools in the hands of expert

engineers• Not a replacement for skilled individuals• Can be used to provide an early assessment of a

large number of applications

Static Analysis

User Manual

Test

Static Analysis and the Project PlanStart

Automated Analysis

Assessment

Initial Budget

ACT Inventory

Refine Budget Rationalize Refine

Budget

Detailed Automated

Analysis

App Install

Green?

Install Manual

Test

App Run

Green?

Remediate

Runtime Manual

Test

Ready To DeployFinish

Yes Yes

No No

Fixing Broken Applications

Does my application need to be supported?

How Do I Fix My Apps?

• Vendor update required• Run in MED-V• Access through Remote Desktop Services

Fix it in house?

• Redevelop the application• Add missing component to OS image• Correct hardcoded paths• Create and deploy custom Shim database

Remediation Strategy for Failed Apps

StartApp

Support Needed

Yes

No

Upgrade from

vendor

Patch Available

Yes

App Is Required

Offline

Run from remote desktop

No

No

Requires IE6 or XP

Yes

Deploy MED-V

In House App

Yes

No

Re-develop

Yes

Create a ShimDeploy Application

What is Application Compatibility Testing?

Testing Compatibility Fixes

An application that is compatible will meet the following criteria:

• Has no bugs…• on the target platform…• that prevent the application being used for its business

purposeWhat’s then end goal?

or

Application Shims

Fixing Applications - ShimsHow Shims Work

Application Windows

Import FunctionShimmedFunction

ExportFunction

Shim DLL

Great for the following bugs

When to Use Shims

• Incorrect Windows version checks

• Writing to HKCR at runtime

• Unnecessary checks for “Is User an Admin?”

• Writing to WRP-protected keys and files

• Windows thinks the application is an installer

• Some file/registry redirections

DemoStandard User Analyzer and Shims

• Treat Application Compatibility as you would any other project

• Communicate with the business and users

• Plan, audit and rationalize early on• Use the right tools at the right time and

don’t rely on a single tool• Stay focused on the end goal, don’t try

and fix everything

Key Takeaways

© 2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.