Microsoft Readies App Compatibility Test For Vista

Microsoft Corp. plans to release in the third quarter a software toolkit for testing whether applications running on older versions of Windows are compatible with Vista.

On Microsoft's TechNet site, the Redmond, Wash., software maker said version 5.0 of the Application Compatibility Toolkit would identify applications that can run on Vista and those that need further testing. The toolkit would also offer fixes.

New features include Vista-specific agents that would test for possible compatibility issues during deployments of service packs and hot fixes, and a central location for configuring agents, setting inventory parameters, scheduling testing and gathering runtime status information. New tools would also be available for analysis and reporting. Vista, the next major upgrade of Windows, is expected in January.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has shipped an update of the testing kit for Windows XP Service Pack 2. ACT 4.1 examines DCOM interfaces, firewall settings and Internet Explorer issues.

The testing kits are available at no charge.