Since Windows 7 is nothing more than the evolution of Windows Vista, the two operating systems manage to share a consistent volume of resources. In this regard, Microsoft informes that the Vista Bridge Sample Library 1.3, which, in accordance with its label, is designed for Windows Vista, is capable of stretching all the way to Windows 7. Microsoft's insistence to ensure backward compatibility with Windows Vista is by no means limited to software solutions and hardware products, and also involves the programming model of the platform.

“The Windows Vista Bridge Sample Library (VBSL) is an ongoing effort by the Microsoft SDK team to bridge between the .NET framework and the native Windows API. The VBSL is a class library that makes it much easier for managed developers to access light-up Windows Vista features with no need to worry about the Interop layer,” revealed a Microsoft representative.

Vista Bridge Sample Library 1.3 is designed to take developers beyond the .NET Framework. Vista provides, in fact, a range of features not included in the runtime environment, and this is precisely where the Vista Bridge Sample Library comes in. Source code for assemblies involving Vista style Task and File Dialogs, Common Open and Save dialogs, Known Folders, Network Lists, CommandLink control, Aero Wizard Control, System provided icons are available solely via the Library. Furthermore, this is valid for both Windows Vista and Windows 7.

“Vista Bridge 1.3 provides managed developers with a set of classes, libraries, and samples written in .NET that allows developers to take advantage of Vista features including UAC, Power Management, Restart & Recovery, Restart Manager, Network, Aero Glass, among many others. It is important to say that all the Vista Bridge managed libraries work well with Windows 7 APIs and will continue to work in future release as the SDK team will continue to support this project,” the Microsoft representative added.

Vista Bridge Sample Library 1.3 can be accessed here.