14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is not only serving Critical security updates designed to patch vulnerabilities in pre-release versions of Windows 7, but also refreshes meant to boost the operating system's compatibility level. With Win 7, the Redmond company placed a strong focus on delivering backwards compatibility with Vista-tailored software and hardware products, and even went as far as labeling the next iteration of the Windows client with version 6.1, while its precursor was just 6.0. Still, compatibility, just as security, is an ongoing effort, and Microsoft is ready to start improving Windows 7 as early as Beta Build 7000.
In this regard, the software giant made available for download the first compatibility update for Windows 7 Beta and Windows Server 2008 R2 Beta. “Install this update to resolve issues with non-compatible applications for Windows 7 Beta,” Microsoft informed, indicating that the bits were also delivered through Windows Update, even if also available via the Download Center. It is important to note that in Windows 7 refreshes aimed to improve compatibility will be delivered under the same model as in Windows Vista.
“Application compatibility updates cause several types of behavior in Windows 7 Beta. The following are the three most common behaviors: Hard Block – the update puts a hard block on the application (a hard block prevents an application that is incompatible with Windows 7 Beta from running on the operating system); Soft Block – the update puts a soft block on the application (a soft block provides notification when an application that is incompatible with Windows 7 Beta starts to run); Update – the update improves the application’s functionality in Windows 7 Beta,” Microsoft stated.
The Redmond company failed to reveal the exact issues that the first application compatibility update for Windows 7 Beta resolved, however, the software giant is bound to continue providing such refreshes in the future.
- Download the Update for Windows 7 Client Beta (KB967062) package now.
- Download the Update for Windows 7 Client Beta for x64-based Systems (KB967062) package now.
- Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-based Systems (KB967062) package now.
- Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB967062) package now.