Requirements for Windows 7 Logo Certification Released

[Rhonda the Sly]

Last week Microsoft's decision to publicize information regarding Windows 7's name and version number really stirred up the bee hive, causing a few people to predict Windows 7 as a failure because of its (assumed) close ties to Vista. Some internet-folk felt a major version number was of critical importance and should take precedence over application compatibility noting the disparity between marketing name and versions numbers (7 and 6.1, respectively) would cause mass confusion. Of course, anyone who doesn't care will only know the marketing name and the people who do care will be smart enough to keep up. Regardless, today Microsoft released documentation detailing Windows 7 logo requirements and a one thing stuck out, here it is:
 
 

7
Do not prevent an installation or application from launching because of OS version checking

It is important that customers are not artificially prevented from installing or running their applications when there are no technical limitations.

Applications should have no reason to check the O/S version in general, if necessary version checks should be done only by the installer, and not the installed application, or driver.

Waivers will be granted for applications meeting the criteria below:

1.Applications that check only the minimum version of the OS (during install only, not at runtime) by using only the approved API calls, and properly listing the minimum version requirement in the application manifest

2.Security applications (antivirus, firewall, etc), system utilities ? defrag, backups, and diagnostics tools that check the OS version by using only the approved API calls

3.Applications that are delivered as one package that runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, and needs to check the O/S version to determine which components to install on a given operating system.
8

So, I ask a question: Was this particular rule in place for Vista's logo requirement? I checked on WHDC but right now I'm tired as hell and feeling rather stupid (and out of my element...) so I could have missed it. If not, this definitely looks like a small step in the right direction.

I can't wait to see what news comes from PDC08. Two days, three for something interesting to me (PC24: Welcome to the Windows 7 Desktop).

 

[LittleNemoNES]

That's great! An example of what this rule would fix is Unreal Tournament 3, Company of heroes Opposing Fronts, and Windows MEdia player firefox plugin -- these don't work on Windows Server 2008 because they don't like it.