Preparing applications for Windows Vista migration
Migrating to Vista? Be sure to build in enough time to prepare applications adequately.
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Danielle Ruest | |
![]() |
With that in mind, it's no wonder people are reluctant to move to Vista. But with the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 in the works, more organizations will be ready to migrate to the new OS.



Free PDF: Your Essential Guide to Unified Endpoint Management
Download this 44-page guide to learn everything you need to know about UEM.
By submitting your personal information, you agree that TechTarget and its partners may contact you regarding relevant content, products and special offers.
You also agree that your personal information may be transferred and processed in the United States, and that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Nelson Ruest | |
![]() |
If you're getting ready to migrate, you have to understand fully how Vista's underlying infrastructure will affect the way your applications work. For example, Microsoft has changed the version number of Windows with Vista to number 6.0. If your application verifies the version number at installation and the Vista version is not listed as acceptable, installation will fail.
![]() |
||||
|
![]() |
|||
![]() |
X64 versions of Windows will not support 16-bit applications. If you are moving to x64, then you will need to upgrade your 16-bit applications.
Microsoft also modified the way applications access the OS. The applications no longer have access to kernel-mode processes as they did in Windows NT and must run in user-mode only. If your applications require kernel-mode access, you will have to modify them programmatically.
The file system in Vista is also changed, which means you must update applications running at low levels of the OS — such as antivirus engines.
In addition, the Vista Web platform and the .NET Framework have been updated to new versions. Vista now runs Internet Information Services version 7, which is significantly different from previous versions because it is "componentized." In other words, you install only the components you need. All Web and ASP.NET applications that run on desktops will have to be verified.
Finally, the biggest release-related change you face is having to update Windows Installer. Because of the new User Account Control feature in Vista, applications must be trusted in order to update in user mode. Because of this, you should digitally sign your Windows Installer packages so you can then patch applications in standard user mode, which will not require elevated privileges for patching.
Use the following table to review how release-related components change how your applications will work:
Issue | Description | Solution |
---|---|---|
Version Number | Vista is Windows number 6: Applications that look for specific versions and have not been updated to include this version will fail | |
64-bit Systems | Includes a Windows on Windows, or WoW, 32-bit emulator and does not provide support for 16-bit applications or for the installation of 32-bit kernel mode drivers. | |
Session 0 | Vista includes only kernel-mode processes. Applications now run exclusively in user mode. Applications that need to operate in kernel mode will fail. | |
File System | Vista uses a new file system driver. | |
Vista Web Platform | Upgraded to Internet Information Services (IIS) version 7, administrators can now install only the components that are required to deliver Web services. Applications that have not been updated to operate with IIS 7 will fail. | |
.NET Framework | Upgraded to version 3.0. Managed code that is not compatible with v3.0 will fail. | |
Windows Installer | Vista uses Windows Installer version 4. Version 4 is not available for any older version of Windows |
There are other modifications that change the way Windows Installer works with packages. Because of this, you should run each of the packages you have through a compatibility checker and upgrade them to Windows Installer version 4.0.
As you can see, migrating to Vista can be a lot of work, especially in terms of application preparation. Make sure you allot enough time in your migration project timelines to adequately prepare each application.
Danielle Ruest and Nelson Ruest are IT professionals specializing in systems administration, migration planning, software management and architecture design. Danielle is a Microsoft MVP in virtualization, and Nelson is a Microsoft MVP in Windows Server. They are authors of several books about Windows and are currently working on the Definitive Guide to Vista Migration for Realtime Publishers as well as the Complete Reference to Windows Server 2008 for McGraw-Hill Osborne.
Start the conversation
0 comments