11 supporting applications in windows xp professional chapter 9

11

SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 2

OVERVIEW

Manage applications using Windows Installer packages

Manage distribution of applications using Group Policy

Verify application compatibility

Manage application compatibility settings

Troubleshoot application compatibility

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 3

WINDOWS INSTALLER

Runs as a system service

Executes installations at elevated privileges

Controlled by Msiexec.exe

Used to automate application installation

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 4

INSTALLER PACKAGE (.MSI)

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 5

INSTALLING AN .MSI APPLICATION

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 6

WINDOWS INSTALLER ADVANTAGES

Automated installation

Remote administration of applications

Configuration management

Self-healing applications

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 7

GROUP POLICY OVERVIEW

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 8

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION POLICY

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 9

IMPLEMENTING SOFTWARE POLICY

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 10

AUTOMATING APPLICATION UPGRADES

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 11

REMOVING A SOFTWARE INSTALLATION POLICY

Action is based on deployment option chosen during installation:

1. Leave In Place

2. Remove

Option can be modified after installation (prior to removal).

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 12

APPLICATION COMPATIBILITY

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 13

THE WINDOWS LOGO PROGRAM

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 14

THE WINDOWS CATALOG

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 15

CAUSES OF APPLICATION INCOMPATIBILITY

Changes in data formats

Different user profile formats and locations

Windows reports wrong version number

Application cannot operate with large amount of resources

Application uses direct hardware access methods

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 16

APPLICATION COMPATIBILITY TOOLS

Compatibility fixes

Compatibility modes

Program Compatibility Wizard

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 17

COMPATIBILITY FIXES

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 18

COMPATIBILITY MODES

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 19

SETTING COMPATIBILITY MODES

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 20

PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY WIZARD

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 21

ADVANCED COMPATIBILITY TOOLS

Compatibility Analyzer

Compatibility Administrator

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 22

COMPATIBILITY ANALYZER

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 23

COMPATIBILITY ADMINISTRATOR

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 24

TROUBLESHOOTING APPLICATION COMPATIBILITY ISSUES

Check vendor’s Web site for updates

Install using an Administrator-level account

Ensure that no other users are logged on (Fast User Switching)

Analyze with the Program Compatibility Wizard

Manage the program with the Compatibility Administrator

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 25

SUMMARY

Windows Installer supports sophisticated application management.

Windows Installer packages contain application files and settings.

Windows Installer packages are modified by transforms.

Group Policy is used to distribute and manage applications.

Designed for Windows logos indicate certified compatibility.

Application compatibility fixes modify specific behaviors.

Chapter 9: SUPPORTING APPLICATIONS IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL 26

SUMMARY (CONTINUED)

The Program Compatibility Wizard configures modes.

The Compatibility Analyzer scans for incompatible applications.

The Compatibility Administrator manages fixes and modes.