Windows Compatibility Cookbook

  • Article

Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 introduce the latest operating system technology and software development platforms for use by app developers and enterprises worldwide. As part of further enhancing the security, reliability, performance, and user experience of Windows, Microsoft has introduced many new features, improved existing features, and removed others.

While the goal of Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 is to stay highly compatible with most of their respective apps written for previously released operating systems, some compatibility breaks are inevitable due to innovations, tightened security, and increased reliability. Overall, the compatibility of the new operating systems with existing apps is high.

This Cookbook is divided into three major sections, Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 8:

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012

The following topics are either new with this release of the Cookbook or have been updated:

  • Windows Image File Boot (WimBoot)
  • Windows App Certification Kit

We invite you to check out these topics to learn how to optimize your apps and take advantage of what this newest release of Windows has to offer.

Windows Compatibility Cookbook editions that address earlier versions of the Windows and Windows Server operating systems can be found at Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 and Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Application Quality Cookbook