Application compatibility with Microsoft technologies is crucial to the quality of the experience our mutual customers enjoy.
Microsoft offers many resources including an application compatibility cookbook, free self test tools, technical specifications for certification and business incentives to help you develop, test, certify and market technically superior applications for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2.
What do I need to do?
Pledge to support customers using Windows Server 2008 R2 and gain global market exposure for your applications. Learn more about the Pledge campaign.
New test tools are available to help you give our mutual customers a technically superior experience when deploying applications on Windows Server 2008 R2. Learn more about the development resources.
Earn a logo and help customers differentiate your technically superior application. Learn more about the business value of Windows Server software certification.
Effective July 15, 2009, all Windows Server software certification testing will be performed on Windows Server 2008 R2 in a Hyper-V environment. Learn more about preparing to earn the “Certified for” and “Works with” software logos for Windows Server 2008 R2.
Pledge to Support Your Customers on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
Microsoft will help you tell customers about your plans to make applications compatible with Windows 7 and/or Windows Server 2008 R2. Visit the Windows Compatibility Center and let us know how soon you intend to support customers who deploy your client or server applications on the new platforms.
Then, during the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 global launch timeframe, Microsoft will publish a list of all the currently compatible and future compatible applications to help customers. This is a valuable opportunity to get your product listed on the Windows Compatibility Center or Windows Server Catalog and gain worldwide exposure. Signing up is quick and easy:
Visit the Partner Submission page to complete the Web form, or download a spreadsheet and submit it to us with your information.
Be sure to opt-in to receive ongoing information about compatibility tools, resources and special promotions.
Update your product status by returning to the Partner Submission page and re-submitting your information.
For more information about pledging your support, you can read the Windows Compatibility Center FAQ.
Develop for Compatibility
If you’ve already tested your applications on Windows Server 2008 R2, you’ll find fewer compatibility issues when testing your applications on Windows Server 2008 R2.
The R2 release includes changes to the kernel and APIs to support virtualization, scalability, performance and networking enhancements. As a result, your application may require a hotfix or a more specific update, particularly if the application has kernel drivers.
Microsoft provides free, downloadable test tools and resources to help you:
Empower your build/test teams with more comprehensive test scenarios in a clear, intuitive Software Certification Toolkit.
Test your application’s security, stability, compatibility, reliability and availability in a Windows Server 2008 R2 environment.
Improve the user experience by ensuring applications meet the rigorous technical standards of certification before releasing to market.
Compatibility Resources for Developers
Earn the logo and differentiate your technically superior applications
Once your product is compatible, you can get ahead of your competition by earning the “Certified for” or “Works with” software logo. Earning the logo will help you:
Increase customer confidence in your application to support their purchase decision.
Get global market visibility with a listing in the Windows Server Catalog.
Earn up to 50 Partner Points toward Gold partnership status in the Microsoft Partner Program.
Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2
Designed for line-of-business and mission-critical applications, the Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2 logo demonstrates that your solution meets Microsoft's highest technical bar for stability, security, reliability, availability, Windows fundamentals, and platform compatibility. Use the Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2 logo throughout your sales channels as a competitive differentiator. In addition, you can earn the optional Hyper-V designation which demonstrates that your solution has passed Microsoft's mission-critical standards for a virtualized environment.
Learn more about preparing to earn the “Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2” Logo.
Works with Windows Server 2008 R2
Microsoft introduced the new Works with Windows Server 2008 R2 logo to help developers and customers identify solutions that are compatible with the new platform. Comprising a subset of certification test cases, achieving the “Works with” logo is a stepping stone toward achieving the “Certified for” logo.
Learn more about preparing to earn the “Certified for Windows Server 2008 R2” Logo.
Business Resources for ISVs
