14 DAY TRIAL // A key resource designed to provide an insight into the level of Windows 7 RTM application compatibility has been continually evolving since its introduction, with a new version being available for download, following a recent refresh. An updated version of the Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals is currently up for grabs via the Microsoft Download Center. According to the Redmond company, the last update to the resource was introduced on January 12, 2010. What Microsoft is offering is an exhaustive list of all applications that have earned the Compatible with Windows 7 Logo, indicating that they integrate seamlessly into the latest iteration of the Windows client.
“The Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals is a Microsoft Office Excel-based spreadsheet listing software applications which have met Windows 7 Logo Program testing requirements for compatibility with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7, and have thereby earned the right to display the Windows 7 Logo Program logo with the application. These products are identified with the compatibility status “Compatible – Windows 7 Logo”,” Microsoft revealed.
Despite the official label, the Windows 7 Application Compatibility List for IT Professionals is not reserved in any way just to IT pros. Fact is that Microsoft doesn’t limit access to this resource, which is available as a free download for all users. In this regard, the Windows 7 Application Compatibility List is an excellent place to start checking whether specific apps play nice with Windows Vista’s successor or not. At the same time, customers should remember the download link.
Microsoft is constantly refreshing the list as app developers worldwide tailor their programs to Windows 7. The first time you were able to read about the resource on Softpedia, Microsoft had covered just over 5,500 applications. In approximately two months that number has exploded, growing to about 8,500. Since the end of 2009, the software giant has added information on about 3,000 new applications which are compatible with Windows 7.
The list now even features a number of compatibility statuses, including “Compatible,” “Free Update Required,” “Paid Update Required,” “Future Compatibility,” and “Not Compatible.” It is important to note that the applications featured in the list are just the ones that are participating in the Compatible with Windows 7 Logo program. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer noted at CES 201 that there were over 800,000 apps compatible with Windows 7, out of the ecosystem of over 4 million programs for all Windows platforms.
Here is the description of the Windows 7 application compatibility statuses, according to Microsoft:
"- Compatible: means that the software publisher stated this product works with 32-bit and/or 64-bit Windows 7. - Compatible – Windows 7 Logo: means this product met Microsoft's testing requirements for compatibility with 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7. To earn the “Compatible with Windows 7" logo, software and hardware must pass Microsoft designed installation, performance, reliability, and security tests. - Free update required: means the software publisher offers a free upgrade to a newer version which the software publisher states is compatible with 32-bit and/or 64-bit Windows 7. These applications have not undergone Microsoft Windows Logo Program compatibility tests. - Paid update required: means the software publisher offers a fee-based upgrade to a newer version which the software publisher states is compatible with 32-bit and/or 64-bit Windows 7. These applications have not undergone Microsoft Windows Logo Program compatibility tests. - Future compatibility: means the software publisher stated they plan to have a compatible version of this product for 32-bit and/or 64-bit Windows 7 at a future date. Microsoft provides this information as a service for your information only. Since compatibility dates can change, please check back for updates and also visit the software publisher's website for more information. - Not compatible: means the software publisher stated this product is not compatible, or does not work with 32-bit and/or 64-bit Windows 7. - Information coming soon: means we are working with the software publisher to confirm this product works with Windows 7. In the meantime, you can visit the publisher's website to check for updates and more information.”