Windows XP - Guidelines for Applications

Download Windows XP Visual Guidelines WindowsXP DesignGuidelines.exe 5.2 MB Updated: Mar 5, 2002

Windows XP Visual Guidelines

These guidelines from Microsoft will help developers and designers adopt the new look and feel of the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. This collection of style elements and controls provides a base of design specifications and implementation details for using Windows XP themeing in an application. These guidelines are an important resource for anyone developing applications for Windows XP.

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"Designed for Windows XP" Application Specification

Microsoft has developed this specification to identify applications that run successfully on Windows XP and provide a quality user experience. This specification will help software developers by defining the minimum requirements for applications to operate on Windows XP. Sections include: How to Comply with Windows Fundamental Requirements; Install/Uninstall Requirements; Data and Settings Management; and Checklist for Windows XP Compatibility. See http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=209e3d65-f0be-4eef-8602-73bb9bc29d54&DisplayLang=en.

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Windows XP Application Compatibility Toolkit

The first step in achieving application compatibility with Windows XP is to make sure that each application meets the compatibility requirements. This toolkit from Microsoft allows developers to test their applications for the Windows XP compatibility requirements and provides information about how to help applications work well with Windows XP. See http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Aa286552.aspx.

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Microsoft Platform SDK, Current Edition

The Microsoft Platform Software Development Kit (SDK) provides complete reference material for the application programming interfaces (API) supported by Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer. See Platform SDK.

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