14 DAY TRIAL // Following the advent of its next major iteration of the Windows client, Microsoft will continue to provide an online hub designed to reveal to customers just what products from the software and hardware ecosystem are compatible with the operating system.
Essentially, users should get ready for the advent of the Windows 8 Compatibility Center.
It’s important to note that the Redmond company considers Windows 8 more of a code-name than an actual product brand, and that the successor of Windows 7 might not feature this label.
As such, the Compatibility Center for Windows 8 will also sport the commercial brand of the operating system, once Microsoft decides on one – it hasn’t happened yet, as far as I can tell.
But the Windows 8 Compatibility Center is indeed coming, and it will be the evolution of the Windows 7 Compatibility Center that continues to be available to customers today.
There’s no telling at this point in time just what changes the software giant will make to the Compatibility Center in order to get it ready for the next version of Windows.
Still, it’s nothing short of a safe bet to expect it to be focused on highlighting the software and hardware that play nice with Windows 8. Users will have an online hub at their disposal which will streamline access to Windows 8 compatible device drivers, software programs, updates, and downloads.
There are additional resources available today on the Windows 7 Compatibility Center, such as the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. As far as I’m concerned, it would be a good idea for Microsoft to make sure that users will continue to leverage the advisor and other compatibility tools with Windows 8.
While all software and hardware playing nice with Windows 7’s successor will be listed on the new Compatibility Center, the applications that are Windows 8 certified will automatically be included, Microsoft revealed.
Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) is available for download here.