Windows 7 compatibility, reliability and performance are just as intimately connected with the operating system itself as they are with the components and applications designed to run on top of the platform. Ultimately, the factors that define the level of compatibility, reliability and performance for Windows are by no means limited to the client but extended to the software solutions integrated with the product. Windows 7 and Windows 7 Server (Windows Server 2008 R2) make no exception to this rule. Although the two operating systems are evolutions of their precursors, with Microsoft ensuring that compatibility, reliability, and performance will be boosted up a notch, breaks are also possible.

In this context, the Redmond giant published a list with all the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 features which could, in fact, negatively impact the way applications would run on the two platforms. “Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 introduce the latest operating system technology and software development platform for use by application developers and enterprises worldwide. As part of further enhancing the security, reliability, performance, and user experience of Windows, many new features have been introduced, existing features have been improved, and some features have been removed,” Microsoft revealed.

In the Windows Application Quality Cookbook: A Developer’s Guide to Application Compatibility, Reliability, and Performance, Microsoft dedicated a total of 45 pages to new items in Windows 7 which could lead to applications failing to play nice with the operating system. The Redmond giant is simply offering developers a heads up of the problems they are likely to come across when tailoring their applications to Windows 7.

“While Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are highly compatible with most of their respective applications written for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2 and their service packs, some compatibility breaks are inevitable due to innovations, security tightening, and increased reliability. Overall, the compatibility of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with existing applications is high,” the company added.