“Compatible With Windows 7” logo program forces 64-bit readiness

Robert Hallock 3 Oct, 2009 at 5:23am ET Article published in Tech

New details regarding Microsoft’s “Compatible With Windows 7” logo program reveal that the company is determined to avoid a repeat of Windows Vista.

The Microsoft Logo Program is a process designed to help consumers identify hardware and software which have been tested for compatibility and reliability. For vendors, the logo (pictured right) promises enhanced revenues as consumers have been shown to respond especially favorably to certified products.

While conceptually noble, the program suffered considerable growing pains throughout Vista’s lifetime. It is believed that Microsoft lowered the bar for Vista compatibility at Intel’s request, thereby certifying droves of systems with inadequate specifications; the lawsuit regarding this debacle is still ongoing. The Vista Logo Program also did not test products for 64-bit compatibility. As a result, Microsoft’s efforts to sell 64-bit were not met with commensurate support from the ecosystem of vendors, and consumers suffered for it.

That’s not so for Windows 7, writes Mark Relph of Microsoft’s Windows Product Strategy Group.

“For Windows 7, we’ve made a number of changes to the Logo criteria and the process for granting Logo status. Our goal is to make the ‘Compatible with Windows 7 Logo’ about the customer and ensuring them the best experience possible with Windows,” he said.

“To be granted the Logo, products are tested to work with all versions of Windows 7 including 64-bit. This is an important change since 64 bit systems are becoming more mainstream.”

Relph also said that the Logo program has received a significant revamp when it comes to computers of all varieties.

“As part of the Windows 7 Logo Program for computers, we have separate requirements that ensure PCs will have a great Windows 7 experience out of the box and can upgrade to any edition of Windows 7,” he said. “We’ll have an update on PCs and what you’ll see on shelves in the coming weeks.”

In all, it appears that Microsoft is fully–albeit tacitly–committed to acknowledging the mistakes it made with Windows 7’s predecessor. By ensuring less crapware, superior hardware, and 64-bit compliance, the Windows 7 launch is already looking easier for customers.

Comments

3 Oct 2009 ~ 10:35am Snarkasm I have to wonder if the sticker ensuring 64-bit compatibility will confuse consumers when they receive an x86 copy preinstalled on their beige box.

Still, good making it a requirement. I just hope it's adequately clarified.
3 Oct 2009 ~ 12:38pm Daniel I have a "vista ready" webcam that doesn't have 64 bit drivers and is sitting on a shelf essentially useless. So it's nice to see microsoft make an effort to not screw over their customers.
Though we have to remember, what they say and what they do can be different things. Shall we reflect back to this promise in a year?
3 Oct 2009 ~ 2:21pm Thrax

Snarkasm wrote:

I have to wonder if the sticker ensuring 64-bit compatibility will confuse consumers when they receive an x86 copy preinstalled on their beige box.

Still, good making it a requirement. I just hope it's adequately clarified.

This doesn't make sense.
3 Oct 2009 ~ 2:44pm Snarkasm No?

If people realize that the "Win7-compatible" sticker implies that their machine is capable of running a 64-bit operating system and then receive an x86 version, you don't think they have the potential to be confused? In an extreme analogy, it's like saying your computer can run Windows, but then it comes with Linux installed.

Win7 does still have x86 versions, right?
3 Oct 2009 ~ 3:37pm Rob @Snarkasm

So you are arguing, that people will the "Win7-compatible" and be computer-savvy enough to know that it means that it has been tested on 64 bit, but somehow NOT know, it will also run 32 bit?

That makes no sense what so ever.
3 Oct 2009 ~ 3:45pm airbornflght Snarkasm, I think you are missing the point. In vista the sticker only required that the hardware be 32 bit compatible. With Windows 7 the sticker will require BOTH 32 and 64 bit support. It's a pretty simple concept.

It is a more holistic approach and things will simply work if the labeling indicates compatibility. I'm glad microsoft is being more stringent this time around as I am on 64 bit. The lack of compatibility with vista was the main reason I didn't jump to the 64 bit version then.
3 Oct 2009 ~ 3:51pm Thrax ABF and Rob are correct. There is nothing more complicated about this.
4 Oct 2009 ~ 7:53pm chrisWhite Fan-effing-tastic that it now guaranties x64. It's about time and I'm really hoping this will help push some hardware and software vendors forward on the issue.

Is it the next Windows that is going to be x64 only or is that farther off?
4 Oct 2009 ~ 8:23pm ardichoke From what I've read, yes, Windows 8 (or whatever it ends up being dubbed) is going x64 only. Then again, if Windows 7 lasts half as long as XP did that should really be no surprise.
4 Oct 2009 ~ 8:23pm Thrax The next version of Windows, codenamed Midori, is scheduled for 2013 and is to be x64-exclusive.
4 Oct 2009 ~ 9:50pm chrisWhite Praise the gods.
5 Oct 2009 ~ 12:02am Mt_Goat I think that they should have 2 separate stickers, One for Windows 7 and another for 64 bit. That would be good because a lot of hardware and software will work fine on x86 but there is still far more that will not work at all on x64. That would keep even the biggest n00bS in line.
5 Oct 2009 ~ 12:14am ardichoke

Mt_Goat wrote:

I think that they should have 2 separate stickers, One for Windows 7 and another for 64 bit. That would be good because a lot of hardware and software will work fine on x86 but there is still far more that will not work at all on x64. That would keep even the biggest n00bS in line.

I've gotta disagree on this. That would just end up confusing most consumers. The majority of people that use computers don't know the difference between x86 and x64, they won't know which version of Windows 7 they have installed and it will be much less confusing for them to just know "I run Windows 7, this works with Windows 7, I'm good." I think you might underestimate how easily confused most people are when it comes to anything technological.
5 Oct 2009 ~ 12:26am Mt_Goat

ardichoke wrote:

I've gotta disagree on this. That would just end up confusing most consumers. The majority of people that use computers don't know the difference between x86 and x64, they won't know which version of Windows 7 they have installed and it will be much less confusing for them to just know "I run Windows 7, this works with Windows 7, I'm good." I think you might underestimate how easily confused most people are when it comes to anything technological.

I was actually suggesting that one sticker would be "Windows 7 Ready" and a second would be in addition to it to say something like "64 BIT compatible". Therefore a product would have one or both stickers.
5 Oct 2009 ~ 12:30am Thrax It's a non-issue on Windows 7. The sticker means it has been tested on x86 and x64. It can't get the sticker without working on both.

There's no need for a second sticker (which is the point made by this news entry, is anyone actually reading it?).
5 Oct 2009 ~ 12:40am Mt_Goat

Thrax wrote:

It's a non-issue on Windows 7. The sticker means it has been tested on x86 and x64. It can't get the sticker without working on both.

There's no need for a second sticker (which is the point made by this news entry, is anyone actually reading it?).

I'm just being a jerk! :P