Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 compatibility cookbook A developer’s guide to Windows compatibility, reliability, and performance September 11, 2012 Abstract In the Cookbook we provide info about changes to and new features of the Windows® 8 and Windows Server® 2012 operating systems. We also provide guidelines for you to verify the compatibility of your existing and planned apps with the new operating systems. We assume that you are familiar with previous versions of Windows. The Cookbook is for third party developers of apps designed to be used in the Microsoft Windows environment and is available for viewing at http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/hh848074(v=vs.85).aspx and for download at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=2D6A4111-9F14-4DB8- A4C2-BE8C8C1414AD&displaylang=e&displaylang=en . The content applies to: Windows 8 Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2008 R2 Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 Windows Vista® Windows Server 2003 Disclaimer : This document is provided “as-is”. Information and views expressed in this document, including URL and other Internet website references, may change without notice. You bear the risk of using it. This document does not provide you with any legal rights to any intellectual property in any Microsoft product. You may copy and use this document for your internal, reference purposes. You may modify this document for your internal, reference purposes. © 2011 Microsoft. All rights reserved. Errore. Per applicare Title al testo da visualizzare in questo punto, utilizzare la scheda Home. - 2 Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................... 4 Client and server compatibility ................................................................................... 5 Operating system versioning .................................................................................. 6 Security app detection rules update ....................................................................... 7 Determining shim status......................................................................................... 8 Server apps must be able to run without the Server Graphical Shell ....................... 9 Remote data service server components are removed from Windows 8 ............... 12 File type and protocol associations model ............................................................ 13 Desktop Activity Moderator ................................................................................. 15 East Asian type guidance ...................................................................................... 19 Software input panel versus software keyboard ................................................... 22 Switch text input changed from per-thread to per-user ........................................ 23 .NET Framework 4.5 is default and .NET Framework 3.5 is optional ...................... 25 Desktop apps might not be visible after launching the default web browser or Windows Store apps ............................................................................................. 28 High-contrast mode.............................................................................................. 30 App (executable) manifest .................................................................................... 34 Queued present model is being deprecated ......................................................... 38 Program Compatibility Assistant scenarios for Windows 8 .................................... 39 Desktop gadgets removed .................................................................................... 58 Advanced format (4K) disk compatibility update .................................................. 59 Thin provisioning of logical units .......................................................................... 69 Enhanced storage is now optional for WINPE and server SKU ............................... 71 Virtual Disk Service is transitioning to Windows Storage Management API ........... 72 Previous versions UI removed for local volumes ................................................... 74 StorAHCI replaces MSAHCI ................................................................................... 75 Windows 7 Backup and Restore deprecated ......................................................... 76 Offloaded data transfers ...................................................................................... 77 Desktop Window Manager is always on ............................................................... 79 Direct2D rendering does not support rendering to "rich" metafiles in Internet Explorer 9 ............................................................................................... 82 Changes in DX9 legacy hardware support ............................................................. 83 MSAA is not available to Windows Store apps ...................................................... 84 Port 3 is deprecated for NDIS 6.30 drivers ............................................................ 85 New features and enhancements ............................................................................. 86 Early launch antimalware ..................................................................................... 87 Secure boot feature signing requirements for kernel-mode drivers ...................... 89 Measured Boot .................................................................................................... 90 Startup apps ......................................................................................................... 91 Automatic Maintenance ....................................................................................... 95 Third-party input method editors ....................................................................... 104 New API allows apps to send “TRIM and Unmap” hints to storage media ........... 111 Multipath I/O now supports extended storage request blocks ............................ 114 Resilient file system ............................................................................................ 116 September 11, 2012 © 2012 Microsoft. All rights reserved. Errore. Per applicare Title al testo da visualizzare in questo punto, utilizzare la scheda Home. - 3 File server API support ....................................................................................... 117 New File History feature ..................................................................................... 118 Operating system now controls power to optical disk drives .............................. 119 Support for USB 3.0 ............................................................................................ 120 Tools, best practices, and guidance ......................................................................... 121 Windows Assessment Toolkit ............................................................................. 122 Windows App Certification Kit ............................................................................ 127 Windows Server App Certification Kit ................................................................. 129 Windows Hardware Certification Kit ................................................................... 131 September 11, 2012 © 2012 Microsoft. All rights reserved. Errore. Per applicare Title al testo da visualizzare in questo punto, utilizzare la scheda Home. - 4 Introduction Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 introduce the latest operating system technology and software development platforms for use by app developers and enterprises worldwide. As part of further enhancing the security, reliability, performance, and user experience of Windows, Microsoft has introduced many new features, improved existing features, and removed others. While the goal of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 is to stay highly compatible with most of their respective apps written for previously released operating systems, some compatibility breaks are inevitable due to innovations, tightened security, and increased reliability. Overall, the compatibility of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 with existing apps is high. This document builds on the concepts embodied in the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Application Compatibility Cookbook (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/bb757005.aspx ) and the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Quality Cookbook (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dd371778(v=VS.85).aspx ). Like them, this document shows you how to verify that your apps are compatible with the new operating system and provides an overview of the few known app incompatibility issues in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. In addition, Microsoft is investing in several new and enhanced features to help you build higher quality apps and to troubleshoot when apps do not function properly on Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. This Cookbook contains more than three dozen topics divided into three major sections: • Client and server compatibility • New features and enhancements • Tools and best practices Four of these topics are new with this release of the Cookbook : • RDS server components are removed from Windows 8 • East Asian type guidance • Software input panel versus software keyboard • Desktop gadgets removed One topic has been updated: • Switch text input changed from per-thread to per-user We invite you to check out these topics to learn how to optimize your apps and take advantage of what this newest release of Windows