The public perception of Windows Vista is not really positive which is not only Microsoft’s fault but also the fault of hardware and software developers. Microsoft recently changed their Hardware Logo Program Requirements requiring that every hardware developer requesting a Windows Vista logo certification to submit test logs for Windows 7 as well starting with the first Windows 7 beta. If the hardware passes the Vista logo certification it will receive the Logo even if the Windows 7 test will fail.



Now for those who haven’t seen such poorly formatted tables before, I’ll just explain briefly what it’s trying to imply. This policy requires computers of all classification (desktop, mobile) for all purposes (consumer & business) and running all SKUs of Windows Vista (Home Basic, Home Premium) to comply with its “future requirements” when the Windows 7 beta is released. To comply, such OEMs much upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7 and export a set of automatically generated driver test logs to submit with their application, regardless of whether they pass or not.

Whilst I don’t think the first beta of Windows 7 will come out on June 1, it’s a Sunday anyway, but this does mean throughout the Windows 7 beta testing process Microsoft will have a very thorough understand of what works and doesn’t work with Windows 7, probably far more than they did with Windows Vista. The end result should be much better degree of drivers compatibility by release.

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...s_03-21-08.pdf

Posted By: dmex
17 Jun 2008