Windows 7 Application Compatibility

Updated: August 21, 2009

Applies To: Windows 7

Microsoft® continues to enhance the overall security and reliability of the Windows® operating system. These changes are the result of many different considerations, including feedback from developers, users in the community, and support engineers at Microsoft, as well as the overall strategic roadmap of the Windows product. Ultimately these changes culminate in new features being introduced into the Windows operating system while some legacy features are improved or retired.

Many applications use a diverse set of operating system functionalities, so it’s often difficult to broadly predict how applications in your environment will be affected by a change to Windows. The goal of this document is to help you understand the impact of application compatibility on your environment and how you can address application compatibility concerns.

 

noteNote
For a complete view of Windows 7 resources, articles, demos, and guidance, please visit the Springboard Series for Windows 7 on the Windows Client TechCenter.

For a downloadable version of this document, see the Windows 7 Application Compatibility in the Microsoft Download Center (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=161912).

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Community Content

Thomas Lee
Software w/7
Need to purchase new computers. Can I install and run these programs on Windows 7? QuickBooks Non-Profit 2008, Quicken Deluxe 2004 and Office 2003 Professional. If no will I need to purchase all new programs? Thank you<br /><br />
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Thomas Lee
QuickBooks Non-Profit 2008, Quicken Deluxe 2004 and Office 2003 Professional on Windows 7
Run the Windows Upgrade Advisor available here on the computer you have that is running your current programs - it's free: <br />http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx<br /><br />With the release of Windows 7 many manufacturers are making 64 bit computers and selling them with the 64 bit version of Windows. It sounds as if your applications are 32 bit (which should work fine on 64 bit Windows - I'm running Office 2003 on 64 bit Win7 and Outlook works better than it does on my 32 bit Windows XP laptop) but if you want to be sure, buy a 32 bit computer (or a 64 bit computer that has 32 bit Windows on it). If your salesman can't tell you if a computer is 32 bit or 64 bit, find a different salesman or store.<br /><br />Other reasons to buy 64 bit Windows would be for future program compatibility, to be able to use 4 GB or more RAM in your computer, or to open Excel files or Access databases larger than 2 GB (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee681792.aspx). A good article on 32 bit vs. 64 bit Windows is here: <br />http://pcworld.about.com/od/windows1/Which-Windows-7-Is-Right-for-Y.htm<br /><br />HTH,<br />Marc<br /><br />
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