OEM Technical Guide for

Windows 7 and
Windows Server 2008 R2 for
System Builders
December 4, 2009

Abstract

This document compiles information and best practices that system builders can use
when designing and manufacturing computers optimized for Windows 7 and
Windows Server 2008 R2.
This information applies to the gold release-to-manufacturing (RTM) release of
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems.
Document History
Date
October 12, 2009

Change
V 1.0 of the document, targeted to system builders. Information
current as of the RTM release of Windows 7 and Windows
Server 2008 R2.

December 4, 2009

V1.0a of the document. Updated Appendix: Key Features by Edition.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 2

Disclaimer: The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft
Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to
changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and
Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.
This White Paper is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS,
IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT.
Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under
copyright, no part of this document may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or
for any purpose, without the express written permission of Microsoft Corporation.
Microsoft may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights
covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement
from Microsoft, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks,
copyrights, or other intellectual property.
2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Aero, AppLocker, BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, BranchCache, Device Stage, Direct3D, DirectX, Hotmail,
Internet Explorer, Microsoft, MSN, PlayReady, PowerPoint, PowerShell, SideShow, Silverlight, Win32,
Win64, Windows, Windows Live, Windows Media, Windows Mobile, Windows Server, and Windows Vista
are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective
owners.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 3

Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5
Navigation .................................................................................................................. 5
Feedback .................................................................................................................... 5
Icons ........................................................................................................................... 5
Information about Windows 7 ....................................................................................... 6
Information about Windows Server 2008 R2................................................................. 7
Storage Devices .............................................................................................................. 8
Memory ........................................................................................................................ 11
Power Management ..................................................................................................... 12
Display and Graphics .................................................................................................... 14
DPI ............................................................................................................................ 15
Connecting and Configuring Displays ...................................................................... 17
WDDM 1.1 drivers.................................................................................................... 18
DirectX Technologies ............................................................................................... 20
Video Playback ......................................................................................................... 21
Display Color Management ..................................................................................... 22
Audio ............................................................................................................................ 23
Windows Touch ............................................................................................................ 25
Security......................................................................................................................... 27
Biometric Framework .............................................................................................. 27
BitLocker .................................................................................................................. 28
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) .............................................................................. 28
Device Connectivity ...................................................................................................... 30
Wired Device Connectivity....................................................................................... 30
Wireless Device Connectivity ................................................................................... 31
Network-Connected Devices ................................................................................... 33
Mobile Broadband ................................................................................................... 34
Sensor and Location Platform ...................................................................................... 36
Windows SideShow Platform ....................................................................................... 37
Device Experience ........................................................................................................ 39
Device Stage ............................................................................................................. 39
Devices and Printers ................................................................................................ 41
Windows Media Center and Media Streaming ............................................................ 43
Media Center ........................................................................................................... 43
Home Media Streaming and Media Enhancements ................................................ 46
Windows Troubleshooting Platform ............................................................................ 47
Software and Driver Development .............................................................................. 48
Software Development and Application Compatibility ........................................... 48
64-Bit Platforms ....................................................................................................... 50
Driver Development................................................................................................. 51
Optimizing Performance .............................................................................................. 54
Windows Services and Tasks ................................................................................... 55
Fundamentals Quality Test Suite ............................................................................. 56
User Experience............................................................................................................ 58
Manufacturing .............................................................................................................. 60
Deployment ............................................................................................................. 60
Multilingual Deployment ......................................................................................... 62

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 4

Windows Recovery .................................................................................................. 63

Upgrade and Migration............................................................................................ 64
Appendix: Key Features by Edition .............................................................................. 65
Appendix: Upgrade Test Matrix ................................................................................... 68
Table: Upgrade Paths to Windows 7 ....................................................................... 70
Table: Upgrade Paths to Windows Server 2008 R2 ................................................. 72

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 5

Introduction
The audience for this OEM Technical Guide is system builder original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) who are building computers that will run Windows 7. Much
of the information is also relevant to Windows Server 2008 R2.
Windows is a large and multifaceted product. We publish a great deal of information
related to it, but, at times, it can be challenging to locate the most relevant
information about a particular topic. This document is a compilation of best practices
and recommendations for new and changed Windows features that are particularly
interesting for OEMs. Each section contains a set of links to both prerelease and
public documentation, presentations, or tools that provide technical implementation
details.
The document begins with information about the product as a whole. Subsequent
sections are organized by hardware area, followed by information on third-party
software and driver development, OEM modifications to the user experience, and
manufacturing. The appendix contains a complete list of features included in each
Windows 7 edition and the upgrade matrix for both Windows 7 and Windows
Server 2008 R2.

Navigation
If you are reading an electronic version of this document, you can use the links in the
table of contents as a navigational aid. Each section contains a Back to Top link that
returns you to the table of contents.
You can also use search terms to navigate to particular sections. These search terms
are also helpful for locating content published on Microsoft.com.

Feedback
Please give us feedback on this guide. We want to know whether this type of
compilation is useful for you and how it could be improved in future revisions. To
provide feedback, please click here to send an e-mail to w7tge@microsoft.com.

Icons
The following icons are used in this document:
Icon

Meaning
Content published on the Microsoft OEM Partner Center (https://oem.microsoft.com).
Documentation targeted to ISVs or IHVs that is published on the Microsoft Developer
Network (MSDN) (http://msdn.microsoft.com).
Documentation targeted to IT professionals that is published on Microsoft TechNet
(http://technet.microsoft.com).
A Microsoft Web page not located on MSDN or TechNet.
A third-party Web site, such as a standards organization.
Content found in product help installed with Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, or

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 6

the Windows OEM Preinstallation Kit. Content may be HTML Help (.chm) or
documents.
A white paper, usually available on Microsoft.com.
PowerPoint slides, available from the Microsoft.com download center
(http://download.microsoft.com).
A video posted on Microsoft.com.
A blog posted on Microsoft.com.
An application or tool.

Information about Windows 7

Search keywords: client, Windows 7
Windows 7 is designed for greater brand differentiation, integration with premium
hardware, and optimal manufacturing.
With Windows 7, OEMs have the opportunity to drive differentiation into hardware
platforms for computers, to provide integration points for services, and to reconnect
the computer to the device ecosystem. With Windows 7, we are all better positioned
to build on the relevance and profitability of the computer in today's marketplace.
To build compelling experiences, we have interwoven specific principles into our
engineering investments. Each of these principles speaks to our commitment to
customer-focused design and to the right set of partnerships with and opportunities
for OEMs throughout Windows 7. These principles are:

Users have everyday things at their fingertips.

Users are in control of their computers.

Users determine computer activities; the desktop is quieter.

Users can quickly accomplish what they need to do.

For a list of key features in each edition of Windows 7, see the appendix.

Related Content
Title
What's Changed in This Release
Candidate of Windows 7

Location
http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd744508.aspx

What's New in Windows 7 for IT

Pros

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd349334.aspx

Enterprise Products: Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterpr
ise/products/windows-7/features.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Our Next Engineering Milestone

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/05/
11/OurNextEngineeringMilestone2.aspx

Windows Team Blog: Lets Talk

http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/window
s7/archive/2009/05/29/let-s-talk-about-

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 7

about Windows Starter

windows-7-starter.aspx

Back to Top

Information about Windows Server 2008 R2

Search keywords: server, Windows Server 2008 R2, Hyper-V, BranchCache,
DirectAccess
Most of the information in this document applies to both Windows 7 and Windows
Server 2008 R2. This subset of information is specific to Windows Server 2008 R2.

Related Content
Title
Windows Server 2008 R2
Resources

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver20
08/en/us/R2-resources.aspx

Windows Server 2008 R2

Technical Overview

http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/
2/1/F2146213-4AC0-4C50-B69A12428FF0B077/Windows_Server_2008_R2_T
DM_Whitepaper_(RC).doc

Windows Server 2008 R2

Documentation and Resources

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detail
s.aspx?FamilyID=079eb880-6e15-4381-9edf53cfaff3ab02

Changes in Functionality from

Windows Server 2008 to
Windows Server 2008 R2 (RC)

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd391932(WS.10).aspx

Windows Server Platform

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/server/default.mspx

Hardware Support and

Directions for Windows Server

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/server/ServerDirections.mspx

Performance Tuning Guidelines

for Windows Server 2008 R2

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/Perf_tun_srv-R2.mspx

Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo:

Planning [WinHEC 2008;
1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T610_WH08.pptx

Windows Server Division

Weblog

http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserver/arc
hive/2008/08/18/windows-server-7-akawindows-server-2008-r2.aspx

Windows Server 2008

Developer Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/windowsserver/default.aspx

Windows Server TechCenter

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/windowsserver/default.aspx

Microsoft Hyper-V [WinHEC

2008; 2.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3A-

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 8

C2FF1E62180F/ENT-T587_WH08.pptx
Improving Networking
Performance for Hyper-V
Virtual Machines [WinHEC
2008; 1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T589_WH08.pptx

Windows Boot From Virtual

Hard Disk [WinHEC 2008;
1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T606_WH08.pptx

Design Considerations for

Building a Windows Home
Server [WinHEC 2008; 19.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T577_WH08.pptx

DirectAccess

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/network/dd420463.aspx

DirectAccess (TechNet
Technical Library)

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd630627.aspx

Windows 7 Enterprise:
BranchCache

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterpr
ise/products/branchcache.aspx

Back to Top

Storage Devices
Search keywords: storage, enhanced, flash, virtual I/O, hard disk, storage networking,
solid state, SSD, NVM
Windows 7 includes a variety of storage-related enhancements and feature updates
that make this a very compelling release for storage solutions and partners. With
enhanced storage support for solid-state disk drives, virtual disks, storage networking
and security, Windows 7 provides opportunities for storage offerings from client
computers to high end servers.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Build Enhanced Storage devices and submit them to Microsoft through your
account representative.

Review and become familiar with the new storage device model based on
Enhanced Storage and the associated IEEE 1667 specification.

Use the new virtual disk APIs within your virtual implementations and feature
sets.

Contact Microsoft if you have requirements related to storage stack futures

within emerging technologies.

Try out the new iSCSI Initiator user interface and send feedback to Microsoft
through your account representative.

Test SAN Management applications and utilities with Windows 7 and Windows
Server 2008 R2.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 9

Implement the new Device Specific Module (DSM) interface for Multipath I/O
(MPIO) datacenter automation.

Test Autorun functionality in Autoplay scenarios for mass storage devices.

Optical Storage developers:

For internal Optical devices, we recommend the use of SATA connectors over
PATA (or USB).

Do not include third-party software that installs a filter driver to the

cdrom.sys file.

Ensure that your CD recorder supports gapless burning.

Try out the new ISO burning feature. To be compatible with Windows 7, ISO
images must be properly aligned to 2 KB sectors.

Enable burn verification during testing to ensure that there is no conflict

between your drive and Windows 7 burn verification.

Storage miniport developers:

o

Update miniports to take advantage of MSI-X and Numa I/O that were
enabled in Storport in Windows Server 2008.

Update miniports to take advantage of new error log extensions in

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Test your utilities, including RAID configuration.

Evaluate new Storport interfaces in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2,
to improve performance of your drivers in greater-than-64 core
environments.

Disk drive and solid-state drive developers:

o

Ensure that the system BIOS supports setting SATA port(s) to eSATA only
when the ports are designed to meet the eSATA electric and mechanical
requirements. In this case, the system motherboard should have a direct
(non-cable) connection to the external eSATA connector.

Ensure that SATA devices implement LPM (link Power Management)

according SATA ver. 2.6 or later.

Ensure that the system BIOS supports the option of AHCI mode for AHCI
controllers; IDE (PATA) mode should not be an option.

Ensure that for solid state drives (SSD) that need Windows 7 Disk
Defragmenter to be off as default, the device reports its Nominal Media
Rotation Rate according to the ATA8-ACS specification, section 7.16.7.77.

Related Content
Title
Windows 7 Enhancements for
Solid-State Drives

Location
http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T558_WH08.pptx

IEEE 1667 Specification

http://www.ieee1667.com

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 10

The Virtual Disk API In

Windows 7

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/magazine/dd569754.aspx

What is Enhanced Storage?

http://windows.microsoft.com/enGB/Windows7/What-is-Enhanced-Storage

Enhanced Storage Support in

Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
2.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T560_WH08.pptx

Introducing Enhanced Storage

Access

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd560657.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Support and Q&A for Solid-State
Drives

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/05/
05/support-and-q-a-for-solid-state-drivesand.aspx

Design Tradeoffs for Solid-State

Disk Performance [WinHEC
2008; 2.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T539_WH08.pptx

Directions in Virtualized I/O

[WinHEC 2008; 1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T590_WH08.pptx

Is Your Disk Drive Going Away?

[WinHEC 2008; 1.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-S535_WH08.pptx

Multi-level Cell NAND in the PC:

Planning for Success [WinHEC
2008; 3.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-S530_WH08.pptx

New Developments in the

Storage Platform [WinHEC 2008;
1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T521_WH08.pptx

SMI-S: Support for Windows

Server Products [WinHEC 2008;
1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T621_WH08.pptx

Storage Networking Platform

Features in Windows 7/Server
2008 R2 [WinHEC 2008; 5.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T586_WH08.pptx

System Integrated Flash Storage

[WinHEC 2008; 1.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T559_WH08.pptx

Designing Flash-based Netbooks

for Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
5.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/MBL-T549_WH08.pptx

Windows 7 Security
Enhancements (Storage)

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd548337.aspx

Use Windows 7 to Manage

Windows Server 2008 R2

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 11

Servers

us/magazine/dd491993.aspx

Windows 7: Troubleshooting
and Support

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd349347.aspx

Windows ACPI Emulated

Devices Table

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/virtual/WAET.mspx

Exposing Programs and

Installing Drivers Using AutoPlay
in Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/AutorunWin7.mspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Improvements to Autoplay

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/
27/improvements-to-autoplay.aspx

Security Research and Defense

Blog: Autorun Changes in
Windows 7

http://blogs.technet.com/srd/archive/2009/0
4/28/autorun-changes-in-windows-7.aspx

Back to Top

Memory
Search keywords: memory, performance, service, device, driver, SCM
Windows 7 implements a virtual memory system that uses the physical memory
that is installed on the system and one or more disk files (the page file) to allocate
memory to different components and processes. This virtual-memory system allows
Windows to give each process its own large memory address space.
The performance of the system can be greatly impacted by not having enough
memory for the concurrent tasks that a user wants to perform. The amount of
memory that is available for running applications is heavily dependent on the amount
of installed memory, the systems hardware configuration, and the installed drivers,
services and applications.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Minimize the number of additional drivers, services and applications that are
loaded during the boot process, or that start during logon.

Require your IHVs to provide a Windows 7 logo-compliant driver.

Include the memory usage of drivers as part of the selection criteria when
evaluating devices from your IHVs.

Avoid root-enumerating devices drivers. Work with your IHVs to develop device
drivers that are loaded on device arrival and are unloaded on device removal.

Ensure additional services make use of the Windows 7 Trigger-Start option.

Related Content
Title
Firmware Corruption of Memory
During Sleep Transitions

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/firmware/mem-corrupt.mspx

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 12

Memory Sizing Guidance for

Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/hw
design/MemSizingWin7.mspx

PC Fundamentals: Performance

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/default.mspx

Windows Performance Analysis

Developer Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/performance/default.aspx

Service Control Manager

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/ms685150(VS.85).aspx

When Should Code and Data be

Pageable? (Windows Driver Kit)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa489512.aspx

Making Driver Code or Data

Pageable (Windows Driver Kit)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa489514.aspx

Back to Top

Power Management
Search keywords: power management, PowerCfg, energy efficiency, battery life,
power
Power management is the ability for a Windows platform to intelligently balance
power consumption and performance, including transitioning the computer through
on, off, and sleep states and manipulating processor power management. Windows 7
power management includes improvements to idle and standard-definition DVD
playback power consumption.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Evaluate system energy efficiency using the built-in PowerCfg utility with the
/ENERGY option. Work toward eliminating all errors on newly-launched
platforms.

Use the Windows Performance Tools Kit (XPerf) to review and improve resource
utilization on preinstall image software.

Make sure your applications and all of their dependent services and drivers
respond to system power and shutdown notifications.

Related Content
Title
Extending Battery Life with
Energy Efficient Applications

Location
http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC02/

Windows 7 Power Management

Overview [WinHEC 2008;
2.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T540_WH08.pptx

Reducing the Disk Footprint for

Windows 7 Hibernation

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/HiberFootprint.mspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 13

Using PowerCfg to Evaluate

System Energy Efficiency

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/PowerCfg.mspx

Windows On/Off Transitions

Solutions Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/OnOffTrans.mspx

Brightness Control for

Integrated Displays

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/BrightnessCtrl.mspx

Developing Efficient Background

Processes for Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/BackgroundProcs.mspx

Power Policy Configuration and

Deployment for Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/PMpolicy_Windows.mspx

Windows Timer Coalescing

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/TimerCoal.mspx

Power Availability Requests

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/AvailabilityRequests.mspx

Windows Hardware Developer

Central (WHDC): ACPI/Power
Management Architecture and
Driver Support

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/default.mspx

Windows Hardware Developer

Central (WHDC): Plus and Play
and Power Management

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/default.mspx

Mobile Battery Life Solutions for

Windows 7: A Guide for Mobile
Platform Professionals

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/mobile_bat_Win7.mspx

Battery Life and Energy

Efficiency

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/mobilepwr.mspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Windows 7 Energy Efficiency

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/01/
06/windows-7-energy-efficiency.aspx

Improving Platform Energy

Efficiency [WinHEC 2008;
1.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/MBL-T541_WH08.pptx

Network Power Management

Fundamentals [WinHEC 2008;
1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T542_WH08.pptx

Windows Server Power

Management Overview
[WinHEC 2008; 953 KB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T551_WH08.pptx

Windows Server Power

Management Implementation
Details [WinHEC 2008; 947 KB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T552_WH08.pptx

"Power-Performance
Benchmarks: Design Challenges"

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3A-

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 14

and "Scalable Windows in

Mission Critical Environments
with HP Integrity Servers"
[WinHEC 2008; 2.6 MB]

C2FF1E62180F/COR-S599_WH08.pptx

Back to Top

Display and Graphics

Search keywords: display, GPUs, graphics, WDDM, DirectX, Direct3D
Windows 7 provides a graphically rich desktop experience and supports numerous
advances in graphics hardware and software. To deliver the best desktop-graphics
experience in Windows 7, a computer must take advantage of the graphics hardware
paired with robust software in these key areas:

GPU. Include a graphics processing unit (GPU) that supports a minimum of

DirectX 10 and the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) v1.1, which is
Optimized for Windows 7. This level of GPU provides the best experience for
most Windows 7 features.

Display. Advances in display technology have greatly increased the options for
end users, from tablet PCs to large high-definition displays. The connection and
configuration of displays has become correspondingly complex. It is essential that
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and independent hardware vendors
(IHVs) ensure a consistent Windows desktop experience across a variety of
display technologies.

System Integration and firmware. Rapid innovations in GPUs, chipsets, and

processor technology present interesting opportunities for system manufacturers
to integrate and package components to target specific consumer needs.
Examples include technologies that take advantage of multiple GPUs in a single
system, as well as multiple monitors.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Ship WDDM 1.1 drivers on Windows 7 computers.

Use automatic configuration of the recommended DPI setting for compatible

display devices. Manufacturers can override the defaults to provide devicespecific settings if required.

Build two .inf files for each WDDM driver package, to provide support for both
Windows Vista and Windows 7 in a single driver package.

Recompile Windows Vista OpenGL installable client drivers (ICDs) before

including the drivers in Windows 7 systems.

Implement digital connectors on GPUs and integrated graphics that follow the
Video Electronics Standard Association (VESA; http://www.vesa.org) standards
for cables and connectors, to complement the robust software solutions that are
part of Windows 7.

Implement analog detection in either the graphics adapter or the system

connector hardware, by load-sensing or by using I2C-based commands.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 15

Related Content
Title
Graphics Guide for Windows 7

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/GraphicsGuideWin7.mspx

Firmware Enhancements for PCs

Running Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/firmware/FirmwareEnhance_Win7.ms
px

Writing High-DPI Win32

Applications

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd464660(VS.85).aspx

High DPI and Windows 7

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T582_WH08.pptx

DirectX: Core Graphics for

Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
6.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T515_WH08.pptx

DirectX 11: New Hardware and

APIs [WinHEC 2008; 4.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T516_WH08.pptx

GPU Performance and GPU/CPU

Interactions in Windows 7
[WinHEC 2008; 6.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T634_WH08.pptx

Working With the Windows 7

Graphics Architecture [WinHEC
2008; 1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T584_WH08.pptx

Display Driver Interface Changes

for Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
2.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T518_WH08.pptx

Display Technologies [WinHEC

2008; 2.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T583_WH08.pptx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Engineering Windows 7
Graphics Performance

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/
25/engineering-windows-7-for-graphicsperformance.aspx

Back to Top

DPI
Search keywords: ClearType, display, EDID, high DPI, resolution, small computers,
small form factors, netbooks
Research shows that about 45% of users do not configure their display to the native
resolution. Most of these users select a lower screen resolution because the default
text is too small at the native resolution. To support high-resolution monitors,
Windows 7 includes:

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 16

Automatic configuration of DPI settings for most display devices.

Redesigned Display Control Panel that guides users to choose a comfortable DPI
setting, per-user DPI settings that do not require a reboot, and better display
quality at high DPI.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Ensure that software and value-added Control Panel items are high-DPI
compliant.

Use the DPI Configuration Matrix to test DPI settings.

Validate key Web sites and third-party software at high DPI settings. Report high
DPI issues to the vendors of third-party software that does not display properly.

Ensure that the EDID data is valid. The maximum horizontal size and maximum
vertical size must be reported correctly in centimeters. Vendors must measure
the panel sizes, not including the frame.

Ensure that the DPI is configured correctly by default.

Use the auto-configuration feature in Windows 7. Manual configuration is

required only if the display hardware does not report the EDID configuration
correctly.

Provide displays that support 120 DPI or greater, to ease readability.

Validate the resolution value that the EDID provides and ensure that the DPI set
through the auto-configuration in OOBE corresponds to that resolution.

Test input devices for correct default speed settings.

Related Content
Title
Engineering Windows 7 Blog:
More Follow up to discussion
about High DPI

Location
http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/09/
16/more-follow-up-to-discussion-about-highdpi.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Follow up on High DPI
Resolution

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/09/
13/follow-up-on-high-dpi-resolution.aspx

Writing High-DPI Win32

Applications

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd464660(VS.85).aspx

High DPI

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd464646(VS.85).aspx

High DPI and Windows 7

[WinHEC 2008; 2.6 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T582_WH08.pptx

ClearType FAQ

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/Clear
TypeFAQ.mspx

Graphics Guide for Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/GraphicsGuideWin7.mspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 17

Back to Top

Connecting and Configuring Displays

Search keywords: monitor, TV, LCD, CRT, HDMI, DVI, VGA, graphics, display,
Displayport, CCD, multimon, projector, KVM, switchbox, EDID
Windows 7 helps users connect and configure display devices more easily and reliably
on both desktop and laptop computers. Windows 7 user-interface enhancements,
such as the Projection shortcut key, aid mobility and flexibility. The result is a more
predictable and consistent experience when a user connects an external display
device to any desktop or laptop computer.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Use the Connecting and Configuring Displays (CCD) API to store and retrieve
settings from the persistence database. Do not implement private persistence
databases in value-added software or drivers for Windows 7.

Map the OEM projection shortcut key to display the same user interface as the
Windows logo + P key combination.

Detect monitors on both analog and digital connections correctly.

Include value-added software by extending the Display Control Panel item, so

that all display settings appear in a single place. Follow the guidelines in the OEM
Preinstallation Kit Users Guide (Opk.chm) and the Graphics Guide for Windows 7
for extending the Display Control Panel.

Ensure drivers support the setting of the IT content (ITC) bit for a display device
that is connected by an HDMI connector.

Implement overscan compensation for consumer electronics displays in GPU

software.

Ensure that internal panels in laptops and external displays provide valid
extended display identification data (EDID). The maximum horizontal size and
maximum vertical size must be reported correctly in centimeters. Vendors must
measure the panel sizes, not including the frame. If the hardware does not report
a valid EDID, provide an updated monitor .inf file that has EDID overrides.

Comply with all VESA display-connectivity standards.

Use digital connectors and cables wherever possible and provide monitor cables
that have little or no signal attenuation. Ensure that connector cables do not
result in loss of EDID during transmission.

Test notebook docking stations thoroughly by hot-plugging the computer and

verifying connectivity of an external monitor and other peripherals.

Work with switchbox vendors to ensure that the EDID is faithfully maintained
through a switchbox and test commonly-used monitor switchboxes.

Related Content
Title
Display Driver Interface Changes

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Location
http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 18

for Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;

2.5 MB]

E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T518_WH08.pptx

Graphics Guide for Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/GraphicsGuideWin7.mspx

Display Technologies [WinHEC

2008; 2.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T583_WH08.pptx

Working With the Windows 7

Graphics Architecture [WinHEC
2008; 1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T584_WH08.pptx

Connecting Projectors and Using

Docking Stations with Windows 7
[WinHEC 2008; 2.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/MBL-T579_WH08.pptx

Connecting and Configuring

Displays

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd434685.aspx

How to Use an INF to Override

the Monitor EDID

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/edid_over.mspx

Display Guidelines for KVM

Switches in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/KVM-Win7.mspx

DisplayConfigGetDeviceInfo
Summary and Scenarios

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd567867.aspx

Display Tests for Media Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd327304.aspx

Common Device Driver

Installation Errors [WinHEC 2008;
5.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T613_WH08.pptx

Debugging Device Installation

[WinHEC 2008; 22.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T781_WH08.pptx

The Windows 7 Windows Driver

Kit [WinHEC 2008; 1.6 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T562_WH08.pptx

Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation

Kit (OPK) Users Guide

http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

See the following topics:

Control Panel
Display Settings

Back to Top

WDDM 1.1 drivers

Search keywords: WDDM, Direct2D, DirectX, DWM, Aero, Direct3D, DXVA-HD

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 19

WDDM v1.1 provides the optimal Windows 7 graphics experience, with significant
system memory savings for the Desktop Window Manager along with reliability and
performance improvements for both the desktop and gaming scenarios.
In Windows 7, a system can have a heterogeneous multi-adapter configuration, with
multiple GPUs that require different WDDM drivers. WDDM v1.1 drivers can support
DirectX 9 or later graphics adapters.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Work with graphics hardware vendors to validate pre-release WDDM 1.1 drivers
on Windows 7 and to build customized driver packages for your mobile systems.

Ensure that OEM and IHV customizations such as Control Panel applications and
services do not turn off the Aero theme (Desktop Window Manager or DWM
Composition).

Prevent a reboot or the loss of desktop functionality during driver upgrade.

Invest in performance efforts to minimize system boot and resume times.

Validate graphics and gaming performance, application compatibility, and various

other scenarios on a variety of hardware configurations on both desktop and
mobile computers, to ensure a solid end-user experience on Windows 7.

Support the new GDI hardware acceleration interfaces and raster operations
(ROPs).

Support a maximum texture size of 8K x 8K.

Use common industry benchmarks for 2D graphics operations to optimize for

drawing performance.

Support BGRA and XR_BIAS extended color formats.

Build WDDM v1.1 kernel-mode driver components with frame pointer

optimizations (FPO) disabled.

Record diagnostic information for time-out detection and recovery errors (TDRs)
in all possible scenarios.

Related Content
Title
GPU Hang Detection and
Recovery
Engineering Windows 7 Blog:
Graphics Performance

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/GPUHang_Det-Rec.mspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/
25/engineering-windows-7-for-graphicsperformance.aspx

WDK Display Devices: New for

Windows 7

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd434681.aspx

Display Driver Interface Changes

for Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
2.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T518_WH08.pptx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 20

Installing Display Miniport and

User-Mode Display Drivers

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/ms797609.aspx

INF Manufacturer Section

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/ms794359.aspx

How to Use an INF to Override

the Monitor EDID

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/edid_over.mspx

Graphics Guide for Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/GraphicsGuideWin7.mspx

Windows Vista Rules for

Enabling Windows Aero With
Guidelines for Troubleshooting

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/aero_rules.mspx

Back to Top

DirectX Technologies
Search keywords: DirectX, Direct 3D, Direct 2D, compute shader, DXGI, data-parallel
computing
Direct3D 10 is the foundation for current desktop improvements as well as future
graphics innovations. The Direct3D 10 API that was released with Windows Vista
represented a re-architecture and rewrite of code from earlier Direct3D versions.
Windows 7 builds upon the Direct3D 10 infrastructure with support for the Desktop
Window Manager (DWM), Direct3D 10-level-9, and Direct2D. The new Direct2D API
enables applications to render 2-D graphics with better performance and quality than
GDI or GDI+.
Windows 7 also introduces the next generation Direct3D 11 API, which is a strict
superset of Direct3D 10. Direct3D 11 takes advantage of DirectX 11 hardware to
improve 3-D performance and support data-parallel computing on the GPU.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Support DirectX 11 or DirectX 10.x, to deliver the best Windows 7 user

experience.

Ensure that the Windows 7 desktop uses Direct3D 10 instead of Direct3D 10Level-9.

Support DirectX 10 in the GPU, at a minimum.

Implement WDDM 1.1 features in drivers.

Keep the WDDM drivers device-context memory footprint as small as possible.

Invest time and effort to reduce the WDDM drivers device start-up time.

Do not use more system resources than required in a WDDM driver.

Run industry benchmarks for gaming to validate driver performance on a

particular system.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 21

Related Content
Title
Supporting Direct3D Version 11

Location
http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd434682.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Graphics Performance

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/
25/engineering-windows-7-for-graphicsperformance.aspx

DXGI

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/cc835730(VS.85).aspx

Graphics Guide for Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/GraphicsGuideWin7.mspx

DirectX: Core Graphics for

Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
6.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T515_WH08.pptx

DirectX 11: New Hardware and

APIs [WinHEC 2008; 4.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T516_WH08.pptx

Direct3D 11: New GPU Compute

Shader [WinHEC 2008; 6.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T517_WH08.pptx

DirectX Software Development

Kit (SDK)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detail
s.aspx?FamilyID=24a541d6-0486-4453-86411eee9e21b282

DirectX Developer Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/directx/default.aspx

Back to Top

Video Playback
Search keywords: DXVA-HD, Blu-ray, HD, playback, AES-128, content protection,
video overlay, BJ-D, HDMV
Windows 7 includes enhancements to the video pipeline that enable standardized
solutions for media center and third-party video IHVs. A common DXVA-HD device
driver interface (DDI) efficiently handles high-definition composition for DVD and BluRay playback. In addition, Windows 7 supports standardized AES 128-bit encryption
for graphics content and a simpler video overlay presentation model.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Support standardized DXVA-HD if possible.

Use the new overlay DDI for video presentation if your application requires
overlays.

Validate video playback performance in both windowed and full-screen video

modes. Test local and streaming video-playback scenarios.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 22

Ensure a smooth video-playback experience of common standard-definition and

high-definition content.

Collect and evaluate performance traces, if glitches occur during video playback.

Related Content
Title
Video Improvements in
Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
2.8 MB]

Location
http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T585_WH08.pptx

DirectX Software Development

Kit (SDK)

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detail
s.aspx?FamilyID=24a541d6-0486-4453-86411eee9e21b282

DirectX Developer Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/directx/default.aspx

Graphics Guide for Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/GraphicsGuideWin7.mspx

DirectX: Core Graphics for

Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
6.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T515_WH08.pptx

Working With the Windows 7

Graphics Architecture [WinHEC
2008; 1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T584_WH08.pptx

Display Driver Interface Changes

for Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
2.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T518_WH08.pptx

Back to Top

Display Color Management

Windows 7 introduces two significant new features for display color management:

Support for high color technology, which is often implemented in high-definition

displays.

A display calibration wizard, which enables users to visually calibrate any monitor
that can be attached to a computer.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Use the high-color technologies in Windows 7 to exploit the full potential of

modern display and print hardware.

Validate displays for accurate primary colors, white point, and black point in the
EDID data.

Test that display look-up tables (LUTs) are valid and persist after power
transitions, such as resuming from sleep and hibernation.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 23

Test value-added display software with LUT loaders that are provided in thirdparty color-calibration tools.

Use wide-color-gamut displays to take advantage of the full-screen high- color

formats required in Windows 7.

Related Content
Title
MCCS Use by Windows 7 Display
Color Calibration Tool

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/MCCS-DCC.mspx

Graphics Guide for Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/disp
lay/GraphicsGuideWin7.mspx

GPU Performance and GPU/CPU

Interactions in Windows 7
[WinHEC 2008; 6.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T634_WH08.pptx

Working With the Windows 7

Graphics Architecture [WinHEC
2008; 1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T584_WH08.pptx

Display Driver Interface Changes

for Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
2.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T518_WH08.pptx

Display Technologies [WinHEC

2008; 2.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T583_WH08.pptx

ClearType FAQ

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/Clear
TypeFAQ.mspx

Back to Top

Audio
Search keywords: audio, sound, speakers, microphone, communications, headset,
headphones, sounds
Windows 7 provides native HDMI audio support, intelligent "stream routing", so
that sound playback automatically moves when devices come and go, and "automatic
attenuation", so that media playback automatically attenuates (or pauses) when the
user takes a phone call. Also, Windows 7 includes more integrated support for
multiple devices, as well as easy volume control on any device.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Focus on the naming, placement, icon, and design to create a polished and
integrated user experience for any custom sound Control Panel items.
o

Name your custom sound Control Panel items so that they appear next to the
Windows Sound Control Panel item in alphabetically-sorted lists. For
example, name your custom Control Panel as Sound: brand_name where
brand_name is your custom brand or function name. Using this naming

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 24

convention makes it easier for users to find all sound-related Control Panel
items.
o

Design any custom sound-related icons so that they can be easily identified as
a sound-related function. For example, use obviously identifiable speakers or
microphones as icons.

Ensure that your custom Control Panel items have keywords, so that they are
discoverable if the user searches for your custom Control Panel item from the
Start menu or from the Control Panel search box.

Validate that your speakers and microphones work with the Microsoft High
Definition (HD) Audio class driver.

Eliminate dependencies on custom drivers and applications. Validate that if the

end user does a clean installation after they receive their hardware, the speakers,
microphones, and mute buttons will work without installation of custom drivers
or applications.

Use the glitch-detection and -prevention tools available through the Windows
Media Performance program on Microsoft Connect to discover, diagnose, and
prevent sound glitches in the audio engine. Contact Microsoft to obtain access.

Related Content
Title
Larry Osterman on Channel 9:
Windows 7 Audio - Whats New

Location
http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/Charles/Insi
de-Windows-7-Larry-Osterman-on-newaudio-capabilities/

Audio Device Technologies for

Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/aud
io/default.mspx

Compressed Audio Formats

(PUMA) in Windows 7

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/project/do
wnload/filedownload.aspx?projectname=pdc
08whitepapers&downloadid=3922

HD Audio Guidelines for

Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/aud
io/HDAudio_Guide.mspx

Universal Audio Architectures

(UAA) Hardware Design
Guidelines

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/aud
io/UAA_HWdesign.mspx

Building Great Audio

Communications Applications
for Windows 7

http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC13/

Building Great Communications

Devices in Windows 7 [WinHEC
2008; 2.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T563_WH08.pptx

Sub format GUIDs for

Compressed Audio Formats

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd567920.aspx

Core Audio APIs for Windows 7

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd370802(VS.85).aspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 25

Back to Top

Windows Touch
Search keywords: multi-touch, gestures, flicking, zooming, IRP, HID touch devices,
digitizers, pen devices, mouse collection, tabcal, touch, hover, winqual
The touch technology in Windows 7 is an evolution of the technology in
Windows Vista. In Windows Vista, single-touch input improved the interaction
model that is provided by the mouse and the pen stylus of earlier Tablet PC
platforms. In Windows 7, users can directly manipulate their computer environment
through touch and multiple-touch inputs.
This new Windows Touch platform creates challenges and opportunities for hardware
and device manufacturers. Multitouch technology will not succeed if the user
experience that it delivers is not effortless, intuitive, and consistent. For this to occur,
each component in the technology stack must be responsive, robust, and tuned to
work in the ways that users naturally interact with touch screens.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Creating Devices Enabled with Windows Touch

Use existing HID touch usages, but additionally report the HID contact ID and the
maximum number of supported contacts.

Use a hybrid reporting mode to avoid issues with serial and parallel reporting.

For null values, set the null bit on all main items in the report descriptor.

Use the physical dimensions property for X and Y usages. If you cannot report
accurate units, report 0 units.

Report a top-level collection for each function your device supports (touch, multitouch, pen). If the device does not have a mouse, add a mouse collection that
does not send data.

Place as much logic in firmware as possible.

Consider implementing selective suspend for USB devices.

Creating Software That Supports Windows Touch

Ensure that users can perform your programs most important tasks efficiently
using a finger, especially tasks that dont involve a lot of typing or detailed pixel
manipulation.

Use the standard control sizing for common controls. For other controls, make
sure they have at least a 23 x 23 pixel (13 x 13 DLU) click target, even if their
static appearance is much smaller.

Use hover, but dont make it the only way to perform an action. Hover isnt
supported by most touch screen technologies.

Create a direct and engaging experience, by having gestures take effect

immediately, by keeping contact points smoothly under the users fingers
throughout the gesture, and by having the effect of the gesture map directly to
the users motion.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 26

Create a natural and intuitive experience, by supporting appropriate standard

gestures and by assigning them their standard meanings. Use custom gestures for
interactions unique to your program.

Provide the ability to reverse or correct any undesired actions, especially for
destructive commands. Accidental actions are more likely when using touch.

Related Content
Title
Introduction to Windows Touch

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/inp
ut/Win7_touch.mspx

How to Design and Test

Multitouch Hardware Solutions
for Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/inp
ut/touch_Design-Test.mspx

Developer Enhancements to
Windows Touch and Tablet PC

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/inp
ut/touch_tab_enhance.mspx

Digitizer Drivers for Windows

Touch and Pen-Based
Computers

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/inp
ut/DigitizerDrvs_touch.mspx

How to Enable USB Selective

Suspend for Human Interface
Devices

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/enable_usb.mspx

Multi-Touch in Windows 7
[WinHEC 2008; 5.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/MBL-T527_WH08.pptx

Multi-touch Driver Development

[WinHEC 2008; 3.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/MBL-T528_WH08.pptx

Multi-Touch: Designing and

Testing for Logo Compliance
[WinHEC 2008; 1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/MBL-T529_WH08.pptx

Windows Touch Developer

Resources

http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/WindowsTo
uch/

Windows User Experience

Interaction Guidelines

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa511258.aspx

Tablet and Touch SDK

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/ms704849(VS.85).aspx

Windows Touch Test Lab

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/inp
ut/WindowsTouch_Test-Lab.mspx

Windows Touch Test Lab Logo

Certification Testing Procedure

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/inp
ut/WTTL.mspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Touching Windows 7

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/
25/touching-windows-7.aspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 27

Engineering Windows 7 Blog: Ink

Input and Tablet PC

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/
23/ink-input-and-tablet.aspx

Back to Top

Security
We are committed to simplifying and improving the security of the Windows family
of operating systems. Windows Vista introduced a variety of new security
technologies that had a significant impact on the Windows ecosystem. User Account
Control made it clear that we wanted to make it easy for users to run Windows
without being in the Administrators group. Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption
introduced full-volume encryption for the Windows client. Protected Mode Internet
Explorer helped to make browsing the Internet a safer experience. Trusted Platform
Module protected user data and ensured that a computer had not been tampered
with while the system was offline.
In Windows 7, we have continued to invest in security by adding new technologies as
well as enhancing many of the technologies introduced in Windows Vista.

Biometric Framework
Search keywords: biometrics, fingerprint, Windows Biometric Framework, WBF,
authentication
The Windows Biometric Framework (WBF) provides native support for fingerprint
devices in Windows 7. The WBF supports basic scenarios like logon and User Account
Control (UAC), while providing a stable and reliable platform for IHVs and OEMs to
support additional scenarios, including Web site single sign-on, application launch,
OEM/IHV-specific enrollment experiences and pre-boot authentication.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Require that your IHVs use WBF instead of a proprietary solution to support
fingerprint devices.

Related Content
Title
Windows Biometric Framework

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/bio
metric/default.mspx

Introduction to the Windows

Biometric Framework (WBF)

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/inp
ut/smartcard/WBFIntro.mspx

Designing Windows Biometric

Framework (WBF) Fingerprint
Management Applications

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/bio
metric/FMA_Design.mspx

Biometric section of the

Windows Driver Kit (WDK)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/bb870474.aspx

Windows Biometric Framework

(WBF) API

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd401509(VS.85).aspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 28

Windows Biometric Framework:

Code-Signing Guidelines

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/bio
metric/WBF_CodeSign.mspx

New Windows Biometric

Framework and Driver Model
[WinHEC 2008; 1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T611_WH08.pptx

Back to Top

BitLocker
Search keywords: encryption, BitLocker, BitLocker To Go
BitLocker Drive Encryption can be used to encrypt data on the computer. In
Windows Vista, BitLocker protected operating system drives and fixed data drives. In
Windows 7, BitLocker protection is extended to removable data drives, such as USB
flash drives and external hard drives.
In Windows 7 a separate system partition is the standard configuration.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Confirm that BitLocker can read the recovery key from the USB device during
boot, on UEFI platforms.

Use the recommended default partition layouts when possible.

Related Content
Title
BitLocker: Protecting Data in
Windows 7 and Windows
Server 2008 R2 [WinHEC 2008;
2.3 MB]

Location
http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T561_WH08.pptx

Windows 7 BitLocker for the

Enterprise

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/enterpr
ise/products/windows-7-bitlocker.aspx

Windows 7 BitLocker Executive

Overview

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd548341.aspx

Windows 7 Walkthrough:
BitLocker and BitLocker to Go

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detail
s.aspx?familyid=6E419E75-BBEC-44BF-BF9448EC4E1265AC

Encrypt Removable USB Drives

with BitLocker To Go on
Windows 7

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/magazine/dd490967.aspx

Back to Top

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Search keywords: Trusted Platform Module, TPM, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Trusted
Computing Group, TCG, crypto, cryptographic key

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 29

The Trusted Platform Module offers facilities for the secure generation of
cryptographic keys. To help the user manage the Trusted Platform Module, the
Microsoft TPM driver, the TPM Base Services (TBS), the Win32_TPM class and the
TPM management console let software access the TPM hardware features. Related
specifications and requirements from the Trusted Computer Group help enhance
security aspects of a hardware platform, including capabilities for erasing memory
upon unexpected system restart and approving TPM state changes by a user who is
physically present at the computer terminal. Some configurations of BitLocker Drive
Encryption use the TPM to help protect the operating system's volume encryption
key.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Implement version 1.0 of the Trusted Computing Group Platform Reset Attack
Mitigation Specification.

Implement the optional BIOS detection of an orderly operating system

shutdown setting.

Clear the clearmemory bit if the disableautodetect bit has not been set.

Inform customers that they should store their TPM owner password or
authorization value so they can use it later if they need to reset the TPM antihammering logic. If OEM-supplied software is used to initialize the TPM, consider
using the Win32_TPM class method ConvertToOwnerAuth so the customer
may create a password they can remember.

Ship platforms with TPM Endorsement Key Credentials and Platform Credentials
support, as described in the Trusted Computing Group PC Client specifications.

Examine your platform behavior when the TPM anti-hammering logic is activated,
as implemented by the TPM device manufacturer. To return the TPM to a normal
operating state, our guidance to customers is to wait for a period of time (until
the TPM lockout period expires) or turn off the computer. If these actions do not
recover the TPM to a normal operating state, please contact your Microsoft
account representative.

Related Content
Title
Best Practices for Trusted
Platform Module Management

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/hwsecurity/TPMBestPrac.mspx

Trusted Computing Group

Platform Reset Attack Mitigation
Specification 1.0

http://www.trustedcomputinggroup.org/reso
urces/pc_client_work_group_platform_reset
_attack_mitigation_specification_version_10

Trusted Computing Group PC

Client Specifications

http://www.trustedcomputinggroup.org/dev
elopers/pc_client/specifications

ConvertToOwnerAuth Method of
the Win32_Tpm Class

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa376421(VS.85).aspx

TPM Management Console Help

Guide

On Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2,

click the Start button, then click Run. In the

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 30

Run dialog box, type tpm.msc and press the

F1 key to display help.

Back to Top

Device Connectivity
Device connectivity can be broadly divided into wired device connectivity, wireless
device connectivity, and network-connected devices. Mobile broadband is a type of
network connectivity that provides wireless high-speed Internet access through
devices. The following sections identify the major enhancements being made in each
of these areas in Windows 7.

Wired Device Connectivity

Search keywords: ACPI, buses, classes, connectivity, FireWire, IEEE 1394, USB, wired
Wired device connectivity includes USB and IEEE 1394 technologies. It also includes
basic support for serial and parallel connectivity, which is a continuation of support
from previous Windows operating systems. For USB, the primary focus in
Windows 7 is stability with minor enhancements to support Devices and Printers by
encouraging internal USB devices to correctly report themselves through ACPI.
FireWire (or IEEE 1394) has been transitioned to a Kernel-Mode Driver Framework
(KMDF) stack and has incorporated support for 1394b scenarios at S800 speeds.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Validate that your technologies work with the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) 1.4.

Ensure that internal USB devices (inside the computer) are correctly reported by
ACPI (_PLD and _UPC); check Device Manager for any reported issues.

Validate the Windows 7 USB migration library correctly preserves any customized
registry values for USB ports and embedded USB devices when end users upgrade
from Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.

Ensure laptops and desktops that support 1394b (S800) expose the 9-pin
connector to provide higher speed. Validate your existing systems with 1394
ports with the Windows 7 driver stack for 1394. The legacy stack for 1394 is still
available on the system but the new stack is installed by default.

Validate devices on both a clean installation of Windows 7 and on an upgrade of

Windows Vista to Windows 7, to check for missing drivers and hardware errors.

Do not rely on AutoPlay to install device drivers for USB devices or other
removable storage devices.

Related Content
Title
Exposing Programs and
Installing Drivers Using AutoPlay
in Windows
Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/AutorunWin7.mspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 31

Improvements to AutoPlay

27/improvements-to-autoplay.aspx

How to Use WinUSB to

Communicate with a USB Device

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/winusb_howto.mspx

USB Migration Support for

Windows 7 Upgrade Scenarios

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/USB-Win7MigrationDLL.mspx

How to Enable USB Selective

Suspend for Human Interface
Device

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/enable_usb.mspx

USB ContaineIDs in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/USB-ContainerIDs.mspx

USB Technology Update and

Windows Connectivity Strategy
[WinHEC 2008; 4.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T537_WH08.pptx

1394 Bus Drivers in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/13
94_Windows7.mspx

Windows Logo Program

Requirements

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/h
wrequirements.mspx

How to Get the Windows Logo

Kit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/wl
k/WLKpkg.mspx

Requirement Clarifications for

Windows Logo Kit USB-IF
Certification

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/WLK_USB-IF_CertReq.mspx

Creating Deployable Driver

Packages for Windows [WinHEC
2008; 3.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T612_WH08.pptx

Common Device Driver

Installation Errors [WinHEC
2008; 5.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T613_WH08.pptx

Windows Quality Online

Services (Winqual)

https://winqual.microsoft.com

Back to Top

Wireless Device Connectivity

Search keywords: Bluetooth, wireless, connectivity
Bluetooth has been a focus of attention in Windows 7 and Windows Vista Service
Pack 2 (SP2). New systems with integrated Bluetooth radios must support
Bluetooth 2.1, which helps simplify user experiences. Partners still are encouraged to
use profile packs provided by the radio manufacturers to support profiles that may
not be supported natively by Microsoft.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Validate that your technologies work with the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) 1.4.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 32

Ensure that the Bluetooth module in the computer supports Bluetooth 2.1.

Ensure that systems with Bluetooth remote wakeup (for HID devices)
appropriately set the USB power settings and remote wake settings.

Validate upgrade scenarios for all third-party Ultra-wideband and Wireless USB
stacks. There is no native support for UWB (or Wireless USB) in Windows 7.

Validate devices on both a clean installation of Windows 7 and on an upgrade of

Windows Vista to Windows 7, to check for missing drivers and hardware errors.

Related Content
Title
Windows Wireless Technologies

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/wi
reless/default.mspx

Windows Logo Program

Requirements

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/h
wrequirements.mspx

How to Get the Windows Logo

Kit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/wl
k/WLKpkg.mspx

Windows Device Experience

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/default.mspx

Windows 7 Device Installation

Experience [WinHEC 2008;
4.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T532_WH08.pptx

Bluetooth and Wireless USB in

Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
5.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T536_WH08.pptx

Unifying the Wireless and

Network Device Installation
Experience in Windows 7
[WinHEC 2008; 2.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T576_WH08.pptx

Creating Deployable Driver

Packages for Windows [WinHEC
2008; 3.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T612_WH08.pptx

Common Device Driver

Installation Errors [WinHEC
2008; 5.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T613_WH08.pptx

Using Windows Rally Vertical

Pairing to Automatically Install
Wi-Fi Devices

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/ral
ly/WiFiVerticalPair.mspx

Windows Quality Online

Services (Winqual)

https://winqual.microsoft.com

Back to Top

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 33

Network-Connected Devices
Search keywords: connectivity, Device Profile for Web Services, DLNA, DPWS,
networking, profiles, UPnP
In Windows 7, Microsoft has made enhancements to network-connected
technologies like UPnP and Device Profile for Web Services, and to vertical support
for Windows network projectors. Windows 7 also supports DLNA and UPnP
compliance and heavily leverages these technologies for audio- and video-rendering
scenarios.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Validate that your technologies work with the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) 1.4.

Validate devices on both a clean installation of Windows 7 and on an upgrade of

Windows Vista to Windows 7, to check for missing drivers and hardware errors.

Related Content
Title
1394 Bus Driver in Windows 7

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/13
94_Windows7.mspx

Design Guidelines and

Considerations for Building
Windows Certified Network
Media Devices

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/me
dia/NetMediaDevices_Cert.mspx

Multifunction Device Support

and Device Container Groupings
in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/Device/Dev
iceExperience/ContainerIDs.mspx

Windows Portable Devices:

Driver Development Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/wp
d/wpd_dk.mspx

Windows Logo Program

Requirements

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/h
wrequirements.mspx

How to Get the Windows Logo

Kit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/wl
k/WLKpkg.mspx

Windows Device Experience

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/default.mspx

Windows 7 Device Installation

Experience [WinHEC 2008;
4.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T532_WH08.pptx

Plug and Play Key Concepts

[WinHEC 2008; 1.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T550_WH08.pptx

Windows Logo Program for

Network Media Devices
[WinHEC 2008; 10.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T574_WH08.pptx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 34

Unifying the Wireless and

Network Device Installation
Experience in Windows 7
[WinHEC 2008; 2.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T576_WH08.pptx

Creating Deployable Driver

Packages for Windows [WinHEC
2008; 3.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T612_WH08.pptx

Common Device Driver

Installation Errors [WinHEC
2008; 5.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T613_WH08.pptx

Windows Quality Online

Services (Winqual)

https://winqual.microsoft.com

Back to Top

Mobile Broadband
Search keywords: mobile broadband, HSDPA, 3G, CDMA, networking, connectivity,
GSM, EV-DO, Internet, WWAN, Wireless Wide Area Networking
Windows 7 supports network connectivity through mobile broadband. By using the
mobile broadband platform, users can connect to the Internet through Global System
for Mobile (GSM) Communications and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) air
interfaces. Users can connect to the Internet from any location that has cellular
connectivity and experience speeds as fast as 3G standards, by using either built-in
embedded mobile broadband modules or external add-ons (such as USB sticks).
Mobile broadband adoption is increasing, given the wide range of the cellular
networks and the lack of constraints that traditional broadband technologies impose.
The mobile broadband platform offers several advantages to original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) who build embedded mobile broadband notebooks and small
notebook computers that run Windows 7:

Simple, consistent, out-of-box user experience.

Windows 7 displays mobile broadband networks alongside Wi-Fi networks and
provides a consistent user experience (similar to the Wi-Fi experience) for
connectivity management. OEMs can use this user interface (UI) to manage basic
mobile broadband connectivity. Mobile network operators (MNOs) can use the
built-in UI of the mobile broadband framework to brand their connectivity
offerings. Carriers and OEMs do not need to develop and maintain complex
connection managers. The mobile broadband framework provides a rich set of
diagnostic and repair capabilities for the most common network, configuration,
and software problems. This intuitive diagnostic framework is consistent with
Windows troubleshooting implementations and helps lower support costs for
OEMs and MNOs.

High-quality drivers.
A mobile broadband driver that qualifies for the Windows 7 logo has passed tests
for stability, performance, integration with the operating system, and quality.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 35

To obtain the Windows 7 logo for a computer that includes a mobile broadband
device, the computer must pass the mobile-broadband device logo tests. This was
not a requirement for the Windows Vista and earlier system logo programs.

Platform for innovative solutions and differentiation.

OEMs can use the mobile broadband API to build connection managers that work
with any device. Using the mobile broadband API in a new or existing connection
manager ensures that the connection manager works with any mobile broadband
device that meets Windows device logo standards. By using the rich functionality
of mobile broadband APIs, OEMs can focus on developing innovative services and
solutions while leaving the basic connectivity experience to Windows 7.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Request your device suppliers to provide a Windows 7 logo-compliant mobile

broadband driver.

Identify and define any custom feature support and work with your IHV to
implement it.
o

Address topics like activation support, device pre-provisioning, firmware

support and certification.

Decide on one of the following connection manager strategies to support the

Windows 7 mobile broadband API:
o

Use the connection manager functionality that is built into Windows 7.

Develop a new connection manager using the Windows 7 mobile broadband

APIs.

Modify an existing connection manager, so that it uses the Windows 7 mobile

broadband APIs.

Identify customer features, MNO-specific features like activation, Access Point

Name (APN) database integration and others. Work with your IHV/ISV to
implement custom features.

Test your existing Windows Vista mobile broadband solutions on Windows 7 to

ensure that they continue to work with Windows 7 in a customer upgrade
scenario.

Contact Microsoft if you have requirements related to storage stack futures

within emerging technologies.

Related Content
Title
Mobile Broadband
Information (MSDN)

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/mobilebroadband

Mobile Broadband Design

Guide

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd445701.aspx

Windows Mobile Broadband

(WHDC)

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/M
B/default.mspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 36

Mobile Broadband Driver

Development

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/wi
reless/MB_DrvDev.mspx

Mobile Broadband Certification

for Existing Chipsets

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/wi
reless/W7MobileBB_ChipCert.mspx

Guidelines for Customizing

Mobile Broadband in
Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/wi
reless/MB_CustGuide.mspx

Mobile Broadband Connection

Manager Development Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/M
B/MBCMgr_DevGuide.mspx

How to Write Managed Code

That Uses the Mobile
Broadband API

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/wi
reless/MB_ManagedCode.mspx

Mobile Broadband Driver

Development in Windows 7
[WinHEC 2008; 2.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/MBL-T602_WH08.pptx

Windows Wireless
Technologies

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/wi
reless/default.mspx

Windows Logo Program

Requirements

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/h
wrequirements.mspx

Plug and Play Key Concepts

[WinHEC 2008; 1.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T550_WH08.pptx

Windows 7 Device Installation

Experience [WinHEC 2008;
4.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T532_WH08.pptx

Creating Deployable Driver

Packages for Windows
[WinHEC 2008; 3.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T612_WH08.pptx

Common Device Driver

Installation Errors [WinHEC
2008; 5.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T613_WH08.pptx

Back to Top

Sensor and Location Platform

Search keywords: sensor, location, WWAN, DDK, ambient light, context, GPS,
accelerometer
The Windows Sensor and Location platform enables the computer and applications
to adapt to their current environment. With location sensors, including GPS devices,
wireless wide-area network (WWAN) radios, and triangulation technology,
applications and gadgets can know exactly where they are, enabling them to provide
locally relevant content and functionality. For example, ambient light sensors can
allow computers to automatically adjust the screen's brightness based on the current

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 37

lighting conditions or enable applications to optimize their content for readability,

making the computer more useful in a range of operating environments.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Ensure your location-based services utilize the Location API.

Ask your WWAN providers to make Location API support a requirement.

Ensure your ambient light sensors are ACPI 3.0b compliant for end-to-end
ambient light support.

Related Content
Title
Introducing the Windows Sensor
and Location Platform

Location
http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/
d/f/adf1347d-08dc-41a4-9084623b1194d4b2/Introducing_Sensors.docx

Windows Sensor and Location

Platform

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/sen
sors/default.mspx

Integrating Ambient Light

Sensors with Windows 7
Computers

http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/
d/f/adf1347d-08dc-41a4-9084623b1194d4b2/Integrating_Ambient_Light_S
ensors_With_Windows.docx

Building Context-Aware
Applications

http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC25/

Windows 7 Sensor and Location

Platform [WinHEC 2008; 4.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/MBL-T523_WH08.pptx

Hands-On Lab PCHOL13 Writing

a Location-Aware Gadget

http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/
d/f/adf1347d-08dc-41a4-9084623b1194d4b2/PCHOL13.docx

Implementing Light-Aware UI
Using the Windows Sensor and
Location Platform

http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/
d/f/adf1347d-08dc-41a4-9084623b1194d4b2/Implementing_Light_Aware_
UI.docx

Sensor API

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd318953(VS.85).aspx

Sensors (driver development)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/bb870493.aspx

Back to Top

Windows SideShow Platform

Search keywords: device, gadget, secondary display, SideShow
The Windows SideShow platform delivers information from your computer to a
secondary display on two kinds of devices: those that are integrated into a computer,

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 38

such as a small color display in a laptop lid; and those that are separate from a
computer, such as a remote control or mobile phone. The Windows SideShow
platform also enables devices to communicate with computers that are running
Windows. Windows SideShow-compatible devices can include personal electronics,
home-entertainment components, household appliances, and even office equipment.
Gadgets, which are small programs designed to run on the SideShow platform, send
and receive content between the computer and a device.
The SideShow platform can send timely information, such as e-mail messages,
calendar reminders, news headlines, stock quotes, traffic updates, and weather
updates, from the computer to a device with an auxiliary display. Users can browse
that content on a device while the computer is asleep or turned off. Alternatively, a
SideShow-compatible device, such as a remote control, can send commands to
programs that are running on the computer and to other devices and systems that
are connected to the computer. For example, the Media Center gadgets enable users
to browse the program guide, schedule recordings, and browse and play recorded TV
shows by using buttons or a touch screen.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Include a maximum of seven Windows SideShow gadgets in your Windows 7

image.

When building a SideShow-compatible device:

Use available SideShow components if the device uses Microsoft .NET Micro
Framework or Windows CE.

Use the universal driver for Windows SideShow when building a device using
other operating systems.

Use the Windows SideShow Bitmap Driver, which is available from Microsoft
CodePlex under the Microsoft Public License (MS-PL, one of Microsofts OSIapproved open source licenses), for low-cost and custom implementations.

Use the samples in the SideShow Managed API 1.0 SDK to get started on
developing SideShow gadgets.

Related Content
Title
Windows SideShow Platform

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/side
show/default.mspx

Windows SideShow Usage

Guidelines

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/
8/5/6852CEA2-BC7A-4AC7-B7E999C13BD778C6/WindowsSideShowUseGuidel
ines.doc

Windows SideShow: Building

Better Devices and PCs [WinHEC
2008; 1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T569_WH08.pptx

Compelling Solutions for PC

Gamers by Using Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/side
show/Gaming_Solutions.mspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 39

SideShow
Enhancing the Television
Experience by Using Windows
SideShow

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/side
show/TVExperience.mspx

Using the Universal Driver for

Windows SideShow

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/side
show/Univ-Drv_SideShow.mspx

Windows SideShow Bitmap

Driver

http://www.codeplex.com/SideShowBitmap

Windows SideShow COM and C#

API Reference

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/cc982247(VS.85).aspx

Windows SideShow Managed

API 1.0 SDK

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=1195
90

Get Started Writing Gadgets for

Windows SideShow Devices

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=6699
2

Windows SideShow
Development Forum

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en
-US/windowssideshow/threads

Windows 7 OPK Users Guide

http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

See the following topics:

Windows SideShow

Device Experience
Windows 7 introduces a collection of new features to improve how users discover
and use devices that are connected to their computers. These new user features are
supported by system and platform functionality that defines how device makers can
present their devices, related applications, and services in Windows.

Device Stage
Search keywords: device, device stage, device experience, printers, WPD, HID,
portable, phone, camera, logo
Device Stage provides a new way for users to interact with devices through a visual
interface that makes it easy for customers to find and use applications and services
for their devices. Device makers that develop device experiences for Device Stage use
an XML schema to specify rich branding and customization of the interface, including
defining custom tasks to install software and links to services.
Device makers can update their custom Device Stage experiences by submitting
updated XML to Microsoft for distribution to Windows 7 computers across the
Internet. Microsoft signs the device metadata packages that distribute Device Stage
XML, to ensure the quality of custom Device Stage experiences and to deter thirdparties from tampering with them.
The Device Stage user interface follows the model of any Shell view in Windows, and
Device Stage devices appear on the Windows taskbar whenever Device Stage is open.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 40

Users can interact with devices in the same manner as they would interact with an
application, with access to the enhanced taskbar functionality, including Jump Lists.
To open Device Stage, double-click a supported device from within Devices and
Printers. For portable devices, Device Stage provides a multifunction version of
AutoPlay; the device icon appears on the taskbar whenever the device is connected
to the computer.
OEMs can create a custom Device Stage experience for the computer.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Create and distribute custom Device Stage experiences for your devices and
systems.

Pin the computers custom Device Stage experience to the taskbar, as one of the
three items you can pin to the taskbar.

Ensure your devices and systems qualify for and earn the Compatible with
Windows 7 Logo.

Ask your IHV partners to provide Device Stage experiences for their qualified
devices (WPD portable devices, printing and imaging devices, and HID devices).

Collaborate with your IHVs on customizing and branding Device Stage

experiences.

Related Content
Title
Engineering Windows 7 Blog:
Device Stage

Location
http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/
13/a-few-more-changes-from-beta-to-rc.aspx

Windows 7 Device Experience

Overview [WinHEC 2008;
4.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T531_WH08.pptx

Windows 7 Device Experience

Parts 1 and 2 [WinHEC 2008;
4.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T533_WH08.pptx

Microsoft Device Experience

Development Kit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/Dev-Kit.mspx

How to Create a Device

Metadata Package for Devices
and Printers

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/CreateDevMetadataPkg.mspx

Authoring Experiences for

Printers, Scanners, and
Multifunction Printers

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/Device/Dev
iceExperience/MfpDevExp.mspx

Multifunction Device Support

and Device Container Groupings
in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/Device/Dev
iceExperience/ContainerIDs.mspx

Authoring a Device Experience

for Portable Devices [WinHEC

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3A-

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 41

2008; 7.4 MB]

C2FF1E62180F/CON-T566_WH08.pptx

Authoring a Device Experience

for Multifunction Printers
[WinHEC 2008; 2.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T571_WH08.pptx

Windows Portable Devices:

Driver Development Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/wp
d/wpd_dk.mspx

Device Metadata Package

Pipeline

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/DevMetadataPkgPipe.mspx

Windows Device Experience

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/default.mspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Primer on Device Support and
Testing for Windows 7

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/01/
10/primer-on-device-support-and-testing-forwindows-7.aspx

Exposing Programs and

Installing Drivers Using AutoPlay
in Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/AutorunWin7.mspx

Windows Logo Program:

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/de
fault.mspx

Windows 7 Developer Guide

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd371748(VS.85).aspx

Windows User Experience

Interaction Guidelines

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa511258.aspx

Back to Top

Devices and Printers

Search keywords: devices, printers, logo, Device Stage, Device Experience, metadata,
primer, pipeline, Windows Metadata and Internet Services
Devices and Printers enables users to discover, see, and use the devices that are
connected to the computer. It provides a familiar Windows user interface for viewing
devices and shows devices as the user sees them.
Devices have become increasingly complex and typically provided multiple device
functions, each of which appeared separately in previous versions of Windows. In
Windows 7, these device functions are displayed as a single device in Devices and
Printers. The user can discover their devices and capabilities without having to search
in multiple places in the Windows user interface.
Device vendors can create custom device metadata to describe their devices. The
device metadata package can provide a photorealistic icon, device description, and
device category. The device metadata package is submitted to Microsoft, where it is
validated and hosted by the Windows Metadata and Internet Services (WMIS). When
the user connects the device and the computer is connected to the Internet, the
device metadata displays in Devices and Printers. Over time, the device vendor may
update the device metadata. If the vendor has provided device metadata, and the

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 42

user has not opted out of automatic updates, the updated metadata appears in
Devices and Printers. If the device is not enabled for Device Stage, the device vendor
can still customize the double-click action for a particular device to start an
application.
In addition, Devices and Printers enables simple, unified wireless pairing for devices;
the pairing process is enabled by the Add a device wizard. After the pairing is
complete, users see the wireless device alongside their physically connected devices.
The Add a device wizard supports pairing devices based on Bluetooth, UPnP, Web
Services Discovery on Devices (WSD), and Wi-Fi protected setup. The wizard also
supports vertical pairing scenarios for adding devices to a network and pairing with
the computer in a single step for supported devices.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Create metadata packages for devices, so that devices have photorealistic icons
and vendor-provided descriptions.

If Device Stage is not an option for your device class, update the software
installer for the device to register a double-click action that starts the proper
application for the device, instead of displaying the generic properties page.

Ensure that a multifunction device:

Appears as a single device in Devices and Printers.

Reports its removable relationship correctly for each devnode.

Embeds a unique identifier (for example, ContainerID or serial number).

Includes a device-specific HardwareID for metadata package matching.

Provide accurate information in the SMBIOS, because SMBIOS information is used

to create a HardwareID for the computer. If device metadata is not provided by
the vendor, Devices and Printers shows information from commonly-used
SMBIOS fields.

Related Content
Title
Windows Device Experience
Overview

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/default.mspx

Device Metadata Package for

Devices and Printers: Resource
Roadmap

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/DevPrint-Metadata_Over.mspx

Windows 7 Device Experience

Parts 1 and 2 [WinHEC 2008;
4.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T533_WH08.pptx

Microsoft Device Experience

Development Kit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/Dev-Kit.mspx

How to Create a Device

Metadata Package for Devices
and Printers

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/CreateDevMetadataPkg.mspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 43

Authoring Experiences for

Printers, Scanners, and
Multifunction Printers

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/Device/Dev
iceExperience/MfpDevExp.mspx

Multifunction Device Support

and Device Container Groupings
in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/Device/Dev
iceExperience/ContainerIDs.mspx

USB ContaineIDs in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/USB-ContainerIDs.mspx

Authoring a Device Experience

for Portable Devices [WinHEC
2008; 7.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T566_WH08.pptx

Authoring a Device Experience

for Multifunction Printers
[WinHEC 2008; 2.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T571_WH08.pptx

Device Metadata Package

Pipeline

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Dev
iceExperience/DevMetadataPkgPipe.mspx

Devices and Printers in

Windows 7: Frequently Asked
Questions

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/dev
iceexperience/DevPrintFAQ.mspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Device Stage

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/03/
13/a-few-more-changes-from-beta-to-rc.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Primer on Device Support and
Testing for Windows 7

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/01/
10/primer-on-device-support-and-testing-forwindows-7.aspx

Windows Logo Program:

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/de
fault.mspx

Windows 7 Logo Program for

Printers FAQ

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/Lo
goprinterfaq.mspx

Windows 7 Developer Guide

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd371748(VS.85).aspx

Windows User Experience

Interaction Guidelines

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa511258.aspx

Back to Top

Windows Media Center and Media Streaming

Windows 7 includes several features that enhance the users experience with media.

Media Center
Search keywords: TV on your PC, Windows Media Center, Media Center, MCE,
Broadcast TV, Internet TV,WMC,TV record, DVR, TV playback, video, music, slide
shows with music, broadcast TV standards, PBDA, ISDB, QAM, NTSC, ehome,

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 44

extenders, DVB-T, ATSC, graphics card, media, codecs, playback, transcode, Web cam,
WPF, Silverlight, PlayReady
Included with Windows 7, Windows Media Center is the best place to experience TV
on the computer. Users can enjoy TV shows on demand from the Internet. If the
computer includes a TV tuner, it becomes a powerful digital video recorder (DVR).

Best Practices and Recommendations

Use graphic cards that can support H.264 video for the best consumer
experience.

Provide tested TV tuners for broadcast TV.

Provide a minimum of 2 gigabytes (GB) of memory for best experience.

Have at least one digital output connector (for example, HDMI or DVI).

Have digital Audio Out capabilities.

Test all software applications that work inside Windows Media Center.

License and preinstall PlayReady PC application technology.

License and preinstall Microsoft Silverlight.

Related Content
Title
Windows Media Center
Customized Product
Requirements
Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation
Kit (OPK)

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/bro
adcast/pbda/WMC_ProdReq.mspx
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

See the following white papers:

Windows Media Center OPK
Introduction
Remote Control and ReceiverTransceiver Specifications and
Requirements for Windows
Media Center in Windows
Operating Systems
Windows Media Center
International Support in
Windows 7
Windows 7 with OpenCable
Unidirectional Receiver (OCUR)
Functionality
Windows Media Center in
Windows 7 SDK

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/bb895967.aspx

Windows Media Center in

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 45

Windows 7 SDK Documentation

us/library/ms818424.aspx

Protected Broadcast Driver

Architecture (PBDA) in
Windows 7 [WinHEC 2008;
2.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T598_WH08.pptx

Video Improvements in
Windows 7 [WinHEC 2.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T585_WH08.pptx

Windows 7 Device Services for

Media Transfer Protocol
[WinHEC 2008; 1.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T568_WH08.pptx

Windows Media Center: The

Best Experience for TV [WinHEC
2008; 5.6 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T597_WH08.pptx

Windows Media Center

Requirements for TV Pipeline
Formats and Media Streams

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/bro
adcast/pbda/TV_Pipeline.mspx

Protected Broadcast Driver

Architecture (PBDA)
Specification (Version 1.3.1)

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/bro
adcast/PBDA/pbda_spec.mspx

Migrating a BDA Solution to

PBDA

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/bro
adcast/pbda/BDA_migration.mspx

Microsoft PlayReady: Summary

of Features

http://www.microsoft.com/PlayReady/Featur
es.mspx

Explore the Features: Windows

Media Center

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/window
s-vista/features/media-center.aspx

TV Signals That Are Supported

by Windows Media Center

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows
/en-US/Help/ef5b8360-958c-425b-95292922167e78631033.mspx

Overview of TV Tuner And

Remote Control Logo Programs
[WinHEC 2008; 1.9 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T600_WH08.pptx

Perspectives on the Windows TV

Tuners Ecosystem [WinHEC
2008; 1.6 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/GRA-T601_WH08.pptx

Display Tests for Media Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd327304.aspx

Windows On/Off Transitions

Solutions Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/OnOffTrans.mspx

Implementing the SourceType

XML Element in PBDA Devices

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/bro
adcast/pbda/SourceType.mspx

Windows Home Server: Power

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/product

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 46

Packs

s/winfamily/windowshomeserver/pp.mspx

Design Considerations for

Building a Windows Home
Server [WinHEC 2008; 19.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T577_WH08.pptx

Back to Top

Home Media Streaming and Media Enhancements

Search keywords: media streaming, media sharing, DLNA, Windows Media Connect,
PlayTo / Play To, Windows Media Player, HomeGroup, DMP, DMR, DMS, DMC, home
media, music streaming, movie streaming
Home media streaming in Windows 7 allows users to share and consume their
personal digital media on multiple devices and computers in the home. Computer-tocomputer media streaming is available in the home and over the internet using
Windows 7 computers and users' Windows Live IDs. To enhance media streaming
experiences, Windows 7 includes additional Codecs for popular formats as well as an
improved media playback engine that supports real-time transcoding. The mediastreaming experiences in Windows 7 fully support the DLNA 1.5 standards for digital
media player (DMP), digital media renderer (DMR), digital media servers (DMS), and
digital media controller (DMC); so that third-party DLNA devices can fully participate
in the new home media-streaming experiences.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Ensure that your multimedia and home computers meet the DLNA certification
requirements.

Preinstall the Windows LiveID providers to simplify home media streaming over
the Internet.

Ensure preinstalled third-party firewalls do not interfere with the Home and
Remote Media Streaming features.

Promote Windows 7 logo-compliant network media devices (DMC, DMR, DMS).

Promote remote access to home media.

Include a Web cam in the lid of mobile computers.

Related Content
Title
DLNA Certification and Guidelines

Location
http://www.dlna.org/industry/certification/o
verview/

Windows Logo Program for

Network Media Devices [WinHEC
2008; 10.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T574_WH08.pptx

Building Digital Picture Frames

using Microsoft Technologies
[WinHEC 2008; 4.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T575_WH08.pptx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 47

Unifying the Wireless and

Network Device Installation
Experience in Windows 7
[WinHEC 2008; 2.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T576_WH08.pptx

Design Guidelines and

Considerations for Building
Windows Certified Network
Media Devices

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/me
dia/NetMediaDevices_Cert.mspx

Connected Digital Picture

Frames: Analysis and
Specifications

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/me
dia/DigitalPicFrms.mspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Media Streaming with Windows 7

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/05/
12/media-streaming-with-windows-7.aspx

Back to Top

Windows Troubleshooting Platform

Search keywords: troubleshooting, Windows Troubleshooting Platform, WTP,
troubleshooting packs, diagnostics, PowerShell, winqual, custom help
Windows Troubleshooting Platform (WTP) provides ISVs, OEMs, and administrators
the ability to write troubleshooting packs that detect and resolve software and
hardware issues, such as configuration issues, failed hardware, network issues, and
application compatibility issues. Previously, troubleshooting software and hardware
issues was a manual process; however, using WTP you can automate the process of
fixing the most common issues that users encounter.
Troubleshooting packs can be targeted to specific OEM models and locales, as
identified in the computers metadata, represented by the SMBIOS values of the
computer. Through the Troubleshooting Control Panel, users can access the
Windows Online Troubleshooting Service to locate new or updated troubleshooting
packs. OEMs can submit troubleshooting packs, including the SMBIOS targeting
parameters, to the Windows Online Troubleshooting Service using Windows Quality
Online Services (Winqual; https://winqual.microsoft.com).
Users can launch the troubleshooting packs through Windows Action Center or Help
topics in Windows Help and Support, or an application can detect an issue and
prompt the user to start a troubleshooting pack. A troubleshooting pack can be
compiled into a single cabinet file with the extension diagcab, which enables the
troubleshooting pack to be deployed easily as part of a website or a network share.
The WTP wizard (MSDT.exe) can guide the user through running the troubleshooting
pack or you can run the troubleshooting pack from the Windows PowerShell
command line.
OEMs or ISVs can build troubleshooting packs using the Windows Troubleshooting
Pack Designer, which is available in the Windows 7 SDK tools suite.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 48

Best Practices and Recommendations

Reduce support costs by taking advantage of the Windows 7 troubleshooting

packs within custom help topics in Windows Help and Support.

Build custom troubleshooting packs for your specific computer models and
configurations.

Publish new or updated OEM-specific troubleshooting packs on the Windows

Online Troubleshooting Service.

Related Content
Title
Windows Troubleshooting
Platform

Location
http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/windows/dd572173.aspx

Windows Troubleshooting
Platform

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd323778(VS.85).aspx

Windows PowerShell 2.0

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/windows/dd320288.aspx

Windows Quality Online

Services (Winqual)

https://winqual.microsoft.com

Back to Top

Software and Driver Development

Installing additional software and drivers is an essential part of building OEM
computers. Value-added software extends and enhances the user experience.
Conversely, problems with reliability, energy efficiency, or performance have a
substantial negative impact on the user experience and damage users perceptions of
the quality of their new computer.

Software Development and Application Compatibility

Search keywords: application compatibility, app compat, ACT, application quality,
software development, globalization, accessibility
As part of further enhancing the security, reliability, performance, and user
experience of Windows, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 introduce many
new features, improve existing features, and remove some features.
Overall, the compatibility of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with existing
applications is high. However, some compatibility breaks are inevitable due to
innovations, security tightening, and increased reliability for applications written for
Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and
their service packs.
When developing software, it is critical to verify the compatibility of your applications
with the new operating systems and be aware of the few known application
incompatibility issues in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. In addition, be
aware of differences in performance, reliability, and usability of these new operating

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 49

systems. Use the new and enhanced features and tools developed by Microsoft to
enable you to build higher-quality applications and to troubleshoot when applications
do not function properly on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Test all third-party applications and drivers for compatibility, power

management, reliability, and performance.

Test all third-party applications for globalization and compliance with accessibility
standards.

Validate key Web sites and third-party software at high DPI settings.

Related Content
Title
Windows 7 Developers Guide

Location
http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd371748(VS.85).aspx

Windows Client Developer

Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/windows/default.aspx?wt.svl=client

Windows User Experience

Interaction Guidelines

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa511258.aspx

Windows SDK

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/windows/bb980924.aspx

How to Get the WDK

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/DevTools/
WDK/WDKpkg.mspx

Making Technology and

Products Matter for Developers
[WinHEC 2008; 12.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-S544_WH08.pptx

Application Compatibility
Developer Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/windows/aa904987.aspx

Windows 7 Application Quality

Cookbook

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd371778(VS.85).aspx

Application Compatibility
Toolkit 5.5

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detail
s.aspx?FamilyID=24da89e9-b581-47b0-b45e492dd6da2971

Application Compatibility
Toolkit 5.5 Documentation

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/cc722055.aspx

Application Compatibility
Resources for IT Professionals
and Developers (Windows
Server 2008 R2)

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver20
08/en/us/appcompat.aspx

Accessibility Developer Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/accessibility/default.aspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 50

Go Global Developer Center

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/goglobal/default.aspx

Programming Guide for 64-bit

Windows

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/bb427430(VS.85).aspx

Windows Logo Program:

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/de
fault.mspx

Back to Top

64-Bit Platforms
Search keywords: 64-bit, porting, application compatibility, WOW64
An important platform shift is occurring in the computer industry: the move from 32bit to 64-bit computers. Consumer adoption of the 64-bit platform has increased
dramatically in both the U.S. and worldwide, and this growth is expected to
accelerate. The latest versions of Windows support this growth: the 64-bit versions of
Windows 7 can support more than 64 logical processors, and Windows
Server 2008 R2 is the first Windows operating system that is available only for 64-bit
processors.
A 64-bit system requires special design considerations that differ from 32-bit platform
design, including considerations for firmware, hard disk partitions, and device drivers.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Validate all drivers and third-party applications on 64-bit versions of Windows.

Related Content
Title
Windows Support For GreaterThan-64 Logical Processors
[WinHEC 2008; 2.0 MB]

Location
http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T554_WH08.pptx

Scaling More Than 64 Logical

Processors: A SQL Perspective
[WinHEC 2008; 1.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-T555_WH08.pptx

Supporting Systems That Have

More Than 64 Processors

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/Sys
internals/MoreThan64proc.mspx

Programming Guide for 64-Bit

Windows

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/bb427430(VS.85).aspx

Best Practices for WOW64

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/64bit/WoW64_bestprac.mspx

Designing for 64-bit Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/64bit/64bitsystems.mspx

WOW64 Implementation Details

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa384274.aspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 51

64-Bit Driver Guidelines

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/driver/64bi
tguide.mspx

Porting 32-Bit Code to 64-Bit

Code

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/3b2e7499(VS.71).aspx

64-Bit Systems

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/64bit/default.mspx

Registry Reflection in Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/64bit/RegReflect.mspx

Windows 7 Application Quality

Cookbook

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd371778(VS.85).aspx

Back to Top

Driver Development
Search keywords: driver development; WDK; logo; PREfast
High-quality drivers for Windows operating systems must be both reliable and secure.
By addressing security and reliability throughout the product development cycle, you
can create higher quality drivers, reduce support costs, and ensure a better user
experience.
In conjunction with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Driver
Framework 1.9 includes such new features as support for new driver types in Static
Driver Verifier (SDV) and PREfast integration with built-in Windows Auto Code Review
(OACR). Windows Logo Kit 1.4 adds support for obtaining logos for Windows 7 and
Windows Server 2008 R2 to the already supported previous versions of Windows.
Drivers that are based on the Windows XP display driver model (XPDM) are
compatible with Windows 7 with one exception: Windows 7 64-bit operating systems
do not allow the installation of signed XPDM display drivers that were certified before
Windows Vista.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Validate that your technologies work with the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) 1.4.

Use WDK tools such as DriverVerifier, StaticDriverVerifier, PREfastForDrivers, and

CheckINF.

Distribute Windows logo-compliant drivers through Windows Update.

Manage settings for distributing your driver through the Driver Distribution
Center (DDC) on Windows Quality Online Services (Winqual;
https://winqual.microsoft.com).

Related Content
Title
Developer Resource Guide
(WHDC)

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Location
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/resources/r
espec/default.mspx

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 52

WinHEC 2008

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winhec/def
ault.mspx

Windows Logo Program

Webcasts

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/lo
gocast.mspx

Windows Logo Program Tools:

Overview and Directions
[WinHEC 2008; 2.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T520_WH08.pptx

Windows Hardware Logo

Program Update [WinHEC 2008;
1.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T519_WH08.pptx

Windows Logo Program:

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/de
fault.mspx

Windows Logo Program

Requirements

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/h
wrequirements.mspx

Getting started with the

Windows Logo Program

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/ge
tstart/default.mspx

Windows Logod Products List

http://winqual.microsoft.com/HCL/Default.as
px?m=7

Driver Signing Guidelines for

Independent Software Vendors
in the Windows 7 and Windows
Server 2008 R2 Logo Programs

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/isv
-signing.mspx

Windows Logo Program for

Hardware FAQ

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/Lo
gofaq.mspx

Windows 7 Logo Program for

Printers FAQ

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/Lo
goprinterfaq.mspx

How to Get the Windows Logo

Kit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/wl
k/WLKpkg.mspx

How to Get the Windows Driver

Kit (WDK)

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/DevTools/
WDK/WDKpkg.mspx

About the Windows Driver Kit

(WDK) and Developer Tools

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/
WDK/default.mspx

The WDK for Engineering

Managers and Product Planners
[WinHEC 2005; 1.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/
8/f/98f3fe47-dfc3-4e74-92a3088782200fe7/TWDE05004_WinHEC05.ppt

Windows Driver Kit (WDK)

Documentation (online)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa972908.aspx

Windows Driver Kit (WDK)

Documentation (.chm
download)

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/DevTools/
WDK/WDKdocs.mspx

Windows Driver Kit (WDK) Build

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/DevTools/

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 53

Environment

WDK/WDK_Build.mspx

Windows Driver Kit (WDK)

Release Notes

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/w
dk/RelNotesW7.mspx

Windows SDK

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/windows/bb980924.aspx

Distributing Drivers on Windows

Update

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/maintain/D
rvUpdate.mspx

Device/Driver Test Automation

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/DevTools/t
ools/DAC.mspx

Driver Verifier in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/t
ools/Win7DriverVer.mspx

Debugging User-Mode Driver

Framework Drivers Training
Sessions

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/d
ebugging/umdftraining.mspx

Debugging Kernel-Mode Driver

Framework Drivers

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/d
ebugging/kmdf.mspx

Whats New in Windows Driver

Framework 1.9 [WinHEC 2008;
1.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/
6/A/86A97515-8AF4-4CA6-B516CDA1139B8D93/COR-T546_en.pptx

Windows 7 Device Installation

Experience [WinHEC 2008;
4.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T532_WH08.pptx

Plug and Play Key Concepts

[WinHEC 2008; 1.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T550_WH08.pptx

Common Device Driver

Installation Errors [WinHEC
2008; 5.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T613_WH08.pptx

Debugging Device Installation

[WinHEC 2008; 22.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T781_WH08.pptx

Extending Device Installation by

Using Co-Installers [WinHEC
2008; 1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T614_WH08.pptx

Improving Driver Quality

Through Testing [WinHEC 2008;
1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T526_WH08.pptx

Creating Deployable Driver

Packages for Windows [WinHEC
2008; 3.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T612_WH08.pptx

Making Drivers Available on

Windows [WinHEC 2008;

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3A-

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 54

3.2 MB]

C2FF1E62180F/COR-T609_WH08.pptx

Packaging, Logo, and

Deployment of Windows Driver
Framework Drivers [WinHEC
2008; 1.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T593_WH08.pptx

Using Static Analysis Tools When

Developing Drivers [WinHEC
2008; 1.5 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T596_WH08.pptx

Using the Windows Feedback

Loop to Deliver High-Quality
Drivers [WinHEC 2008; 1.9 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T592_WH08.pptx

Should We Outsource Driver

Development? [WinHEC 2008;
1.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/ENT-S580b_WH08.pptx

Exposing Programs and

Installing Drivers Using AutoPlay
in Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/AutorunWin7.mspx

AppInit DLLs in Windows 7 and

Windows Server 2008 R2

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/driver/inst
all/AppInit-Win7.mspx

Windows Portable Devices:

Driver Development Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/wp
d/wpd_dk.mspx

Webcam Video Fidelity Tests

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/me
dia/WebCam_VidTests.mspx

Windows Quality Online

Services (Winqual)

https://winqual.microsoft.com

Back to Top

Optimizing Performance
Windows 7 maximizes hardware energy efficiency and scalability while maintaining
high performance. Energy efficiency is improved through reduced background activity
and new support for the trigger starting of system services. Windows 7 also offers
improvements in the Windows kernel that enable applications and services to scale
efficiently between platforms. Performance of many features and APIs is improved in
Windows 7 compared with Windows Vista. For example, driver performance on
servers is optimized by new user-mode and kernel-mode topology APIs. Graphics
rendering is considerably smoother and faster. Accessibility performance is also
significantly faster than before.
However, many factors affect actual performance: firmware design, applications that
load at system startup, memory and I/O components, and the built-in capabilities of
system components such as graphics, storage, and networking devices.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 55

Windows Services and Tasks

Search keywords: performance, energy-efficiency, background activity, service, task,
SCM, task scheduler, timers, trigger start
Inefficient background activity has a dramatic impact on system performance, power
consumption, responsiveness, and memory footprint. Background activity can be
managed through Service Control Manager (SCM) and Task Scheduler.
A service application conforms to the interface rules of the Service Control Manager
(SCM). It can be started automatically at system boot, by a user through the Services
console application, or by an application that uses the service functions. Services can
execute even when no user is logged on to the computer.
The Task Scheduler enables you to automatically perform routine tasks. The Task
Scheduler does this by monitoring whatever criteria you choose to initiate the tasks
(referred to as triggers) and then executing the tasks when the criteria are met.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Understand that background activity has tangible impact on system quality and
performance.

Select the right feature for ensuring the tasks are completed: service or task.

Use the Windows 7 Trigger-Start option instead of the older Auto_Start option.

Configure your service to use the smallest set of security privileges required.

Use scheduled task idle, power and network conditions to ensure the most
optimal solution.

Use the Timer Coalescing API to help increase the amount of CPU idle time.

Use XPerf.exe in the Windows 7 Performance Toolkit to measure overall system

performance and to analyze and adjust performance where necessary.

Perform testing in a controlled way and make comparisons against a valid

baseline. Obtain a baseline measurement on a system with as few system
extensions as possible. Add devices, applications, and services one at a time and
test for unacceptable regressions in on/off transition times.

Minimize the number of applications that are loaded during the boot process.

Related Content
Title
Windows Performance Analysis
Developer Center

Location
http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/performance/default.aspx

Windows 7: Designing Efficient

Background Processes

http://channel9.msdn.com/pdc2008/PC19/

Windows Performance Analysis:

Using Windows Performance
Tools [WinHEC 2008; 5.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T594_WH08.pptx

Developing Efficient Background

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=1286

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 56

Processes for Windows

22

Windows Performance Toolkit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/perftools.mspx

Performance Testing Guide for

Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/Win7Perf.mspx

Windows 7 Performance
(subsection of Windows 7
Developer Guide)

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd371727(VS.85).aspx

PC Fundamentals: Performance

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/default.mspx

Windows 7 Performance
TechNet Forum

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/
en-CA/w7itproperf/threads

Windows Timer Coalescing

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/TimerCoal.mspx

Service Control Manager

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/ms685150(VS.85).aspx

Task Scheduler

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa383614.aspx

Performance Tuning Guidelines

for Windows Server 2008 R2

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/Perf_tun_srv-R2.mspx

Windows On/Off Transitions

Solutions Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/OnOffTrans.mspx

Windows On/Off Transition

Performance Analysis

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/On-Off_Transition.mspx

Services in Windows Vista

http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/
c/5/9c5b2167-8017-4bae-9fded599bac8184a/Vista_Services.doc

Pigs Can Fly Blog: XPerf Articles

http://blogs.msdn.com/pigscanfly/pages/xpe
rf-articles.aspx

Firmware Enhancements for PCs

Running Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/firmware/FirmwareEnhance_Win7.ms
px

Back to Top

Fundamentals Quality Test Suite

Search keywords: battery life, fundamentals, performance, reliability, energy
efficiency, power management, appcompat, ecosystem
The Fundamentals Quality Test Suite for OEMs, ODMs, IHVs, and ISVs focuses on
hardware and software quality to improve the end-users experience using a
Windows computer. Key tools include:

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 57

Xbootmgr.exe, which automates on/off trace collection.

Xperf.exe, which generates on/off transition summary reports and provides raw
text dumps for detailed, low-level analysis.

Xperfview.exe, which provides graphical visualizations of performance data.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Execute the Fundamentals Quality Test Suite available in the Windows Logo
Kit 1.4.

Perform testing in a controlled way and make comparisons against a valid

baseline. Obtain a baseline measurement on a system with as few system
extensions as possible. Add devices, applications, and services one at a time and
test for unacceptable regressions in on/off transition times.

Ensure that all applications and services minimize post-boot and post resume
CPU, disk, and network usage.

Ensure that all non-essential services are converted to Demand or Trigger Start to
free up system resources during boot.

Ensure that all drivers return STATUS_PENDING from initialization I/O request
packets (IRPs) to increase parallelization during Plug and Play initialization.

Ensure that all drivers implement fast resume and optimize CPU resource usage
on resume to achieve better resume performance.

Ensure that all applications avoid delays in processing suspend and shutdown
notifications.

Ensure that services do not opt in to receive pre-shutdown and shutdown

notifications unless absolutely required. If a service has opted in to receive these
notifications, it should respond quickly to the Service Control Manager (SCM).

Related Content
Title
The Windows Vista Velocity
Program [WinHEC 2008; 1.3 MB]

Location
http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T780_WH08.pptx

Windows Logo Program Tools:

Overview and Directions
[WinHEC 2008; 2.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T520_WH08.pptx

Windows Logo Program:

Overview

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/de
fault.mspx

Getting started with the

Windows Logo Program

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/ge
tstart/default.mspx

How to Get the Windows Logo

Kit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/wl
k/WLKpkg.mspx

Windows Performance Toolkit

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/perftools.mspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 58

Windows On/Off Transitions

Solutions Guide

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/OnOffTrans.mspx

Windows On/Off Transition

Performance Analysis

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/sys
perf/On-Off_Transition.mspx

Reducing the Disk Footprint for

Windows 7 Hibernation

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/HiberFootprint.mspx

Windows Application Quality

Cookbook

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd371778(VS.85).aspx

Battery Life and Energy

Efficiency

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/mobilepwr.mspx

Mobile Battery Life Solutions for

Windows 7: A Guide for Mobile
Platform Professionals

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/mobile_bat_Win7.mspx

Windows 7 Power Management

Background Process

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pn
ppwr/powermgmt/BackgroundProcs.mspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Continuing Our Discussion on
Performance

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/12/
15/continuing-our-discussion-onperformance.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Boot Performance

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/08/
29/boot-performance.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Approach to System
Performance

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/08/
27/windows-7-approach-to-systemperformance.aspx

Back to Top

User Experience
Search keywords: first experience, user experience, OOBE, Windows Welcome,
customization, policy, OEM Setup Analyzer (OSA), OPK
You may customize the operating system only as explicitly described in the OEM
User Experience Guidelines section of the OPK Users Guide and summarized in the
Summary of Allowed Customizations topic, or as permitted in your separate license
agreement. For your convenience, this section of the OPK Users Guide is also
published in .xps and .pdf format; the OPK Setup program installs these files in
C:\Program Files\Windows OPK\Docs\Whitepapers\Software Customization.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Customize and extend the Windows user experience, as described in the OPK
Users Guide.

Include a background image that will be shown, full-screen, behind

Windows Welcome. We recommend that this image does not include specific
graphical representations of the OEM brand, because the logon screen may block
some of the branding element.

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 59

Provide a clean and organized desktop. Include no desktop icons, no gadgets that
are visible by default, and no deskbands on the taskbar.

Provide a desktop in which all activities are user-determined. Windows 7 turns off
notifications for the first hour of use by the end user. Do not include pop-up
windows, notifications, or other system-determined activities.

Optimize Windows Welcome so that the total time to desktop is no more than 15
minutes, of which the OEM first run setup experience should be no more than 9
minutes. Time to desktop is the duration of time, on the first boot of Windows,
from when the Windows boot user interface (UI) is displayed until the Windows
desktop is displayed. To ensure that the first user experience is quick and
complete, we recommend that you:

Run the specialize configuration pass on the factory floor.

Pre-populate WinSAT scores.

Use Oobe.xml to pre-populate the language, locale, and regional settings.

Use OEM Setup Analyzer tool (OSA) to evaluate your current experience and
improve the performance of the first user experience.

Make the user experience as easy as possible with better product packaging. Give
users one assembly poster to follow, with clear instructions.

Related Content
Title
Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation
Kit (OPK)

Location
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

Windows 7 OPK Users Guide

http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Engineering the Windows 7 Boot
Animation

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/02/
18/engineering-the-windows-7-bootanimation.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Engineering the Windows 7
Windows Experience Index

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/01/
19/engineering-the-windows-7-windowsexperience-index.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

The Windows 7 Taskbar

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/11/
20/happy-anniversary-windows-on-theevolution-of-the-taskbar.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Follow-up: Starting, Launching,
and Switching

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/09/
29/follow-up-starting-launching-andswitching.aspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

User Interface: Starting,
Launching, and Switching

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/09/
23/user-interface-starting-launching-andswitching.aspx

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 60

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Creating, Saving, Sharing
Themes in Windows 7

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/06/
03/creating-saving-sharing-themes-inwindows-7.aspx

Windows User Experience

Interaction Guidelines

http://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/aa511258.aspx

Windows Live OPK and

Extensibility [WinHEC 2008;
2.7 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T782_WH08.pptx

Windows Live Suite OPK

Deployment Guide

http://oem.microsoft.com/script/ContentPag
e.aspx?pageid=563582

Back to Top

Manufacturing
In Windows 7, we have enhanced and consolidated many of the tools used to
manufacture and deploy the Windows operating system on computers within the
OEM factory and testing labs.

Deployment
Search keywords: manufacturing, OPK, deployment, WinRE, activation, OOBE, first
experience, walkthrough, PowerShell, USMT
The tools in the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 OEM Preinstallation Kit
(OPK) are optimized for performance and efficiency to enable faster image creation,
customization, and deployment. Fewer tools are required to complete the operatingsystem image cycle.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Review the Windows 7 OPK for significant opportunities to build and deploy
operating-system images, as well to customize and differentiate across a variety
of operating-system settings and features. Take advantage of the tools being
offered to efficiently generate operating-system images, with opportunities to
script offline and online actions such as Win32 and Win64 driver injection,
component customizations, and international language solutions.

Related Content
Title
Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation
Kit Training

Location
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565641

Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation

Kit OPK

http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

See the OPK Users Guide and

Step-by-Step: Basic Windows
Deployment for OEMs
whitepaper

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 61

Windows 7 OPK Users Guide

http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

Windows 7 Deployment
Changes (Overview)

http://blogs.technet.com/windowssystemde
ployment/archive/2009/01/20/windows-7deployment-changes.aspx

Windows 7 Feature
Walkthroughs

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/windows/dd320282.aspx

Deployment Image Servicing

and Management

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/windows/dd320284.aspx

Windows 7 Installation, Setup,

and Deployment Support Forum

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/
en-US/w7itproinstall/threads

Hardware Design for Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/hw
design/HWdesign_Win7.mspx

UEFI Support and Requirements

for Windows Operating Systems

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/firmware/uefireg.mspx

UEFI and Windows

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/firmware/UEFI_Windows.mspx

iSCSI Boot Firmware Table (iBFT)

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/pla
tform/firmware/ibft.mspx

Windows 7 Device Installation

Experience [WinHEC 2008;
4.8 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T532_WH08.pptx

Common Device Driver

Installation Errors [WinHEC
2008; 5.0 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T613_WH08.pptx

Debugging Device Installation

[WinHEC 2008; 22.4 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T781_WH08.pptx

Plug and Play Key Concepts

[WinHEC 2008; 1.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/CON-T550_WH08.pptx

Improving Driver Quality

Through Testing [WinHEC 2008;
1.3 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T526_WH08.pptx

Making Drivers Available on

Windows [WinHEC 2008;
3.2 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T609_WH08.pptx

Packaging, Logo, and

Deployment of Windows Driver
Framework Drivers [WinHEC
2008; 1.1 MB]

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/
E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T593_WH08.pptx

Windows Logo Program Tools:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 62

Overview and Directions

[WinHEC 2008; 2.7 MB]

E/6/5E66B27B-988B-4F50-AF3AC2FF1E62180F/COR-T520_WH08.pptx

Driver Verifier in Windows 7

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/t
ools/Win7DriverVer.mspx

Engineering Windows 7 Blog:

Disk Space

http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2008/11/
19/disk-space.aspx

Back to Top

Multilingual Deployment
Search keywords: language pack, multilingual, multi-language, MUI, patch install,
DISM
The investments made in Windows 7 to support multilingual deployment and
servicing make it easier to manage a single multi-language image in your
manufacturing process.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Add multiple language packs to your base installation, to reduce image

management and servicing. During deployment, set the default user interface
display language and remove unwanted language packs.

Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool for image
manipulation.

Install the limited distribution release (LDR) and general distribution release
(GDR) packages after all language pack operations, so that the correct resources
are installed on the computer. LDR and GDR packages can be identified by using
the DISM /Get-PackageInfo command and looking for the Dependency =
Language Pack key/value pair in the Custom Properties section. (If language
packs are installed after a GDR or LDR package with this attribute, the fix must be
reinstalled.)

Related Content
Title
Windows 7 OEM Preinstallation
Kit (OPK)
Windows 7 OPK Users Guide
See the following topics:

Location
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

Understanding Multilingual
Deployments
Walkthrough: Add Multilingual
Support to Windows Setup
Step-by-Step: Multilingual Image
Creation

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd755995(WS.10).aspx

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 63

NTDebugging Blog: Windows

Hotfixes and Updates How Do
They Work?

http://blogs.msdn.com/ntdebugging/archive/
2008/10/21/windows-hotfixes-and-updateshow-do-they-work.aspx

Back to Top

Windows Recovery
Search keywords: recovery, WinRE, Windows RE, backup
The Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) provides OEMs and system
administrators a platform for repairing and recovering Windows installations.
Through the use of Startup Repair, a tool in the Windows Recovery Environment,
Windows installations that are not able to boot normally can automatically selfrepair, which allows end-users to return to productivity quickly without having to call
support. Other recovery tools, such as offline System Restore, are also available in the
Windows Recovery Environment.
OEMs can customize Windows Recovery Environment to include their own factory
recovery tool. Through the Recovery Control Panel, users with a degraded Windows
experience can quickly restore their system to factory condition or to a backup they
have created, while preserving their data using the Windows Backup and Restore
technologies.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Customize the default Windows Recovery Environment with recovery tools

specific to your brand or computer models.

Place your customized Windows Recovery Environment on the system partition

or on a separate recovery partition to enable end users to repair or reinstall
Windows without deleting the recovery tools.

Configure the Recovery Control Panel to integrate your factory recovery tool into
the end-to-end Windows recovery experience.

Encourage your customers to backup their data using the Windows Backup and
Restore technologies.

Related Content
Title
Windows 7 OPK Users Guide
See the following topics:
Windows Recovery Technical
Reference
Configure Windows Recovery
Environment

Back to Top

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Location
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpag
e.aspx?pageid=565169

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 64

Upgrade and Migration

Search keywords: migration, upgrade, USB, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows
Server 2008
Computer manufacturers are primarily concerned with installing Windows 7 on new
hardware. However, end users may upgrade existing computers to Windows 7 and
require additional support to obtain updated drivers.

Best Practices and Recommendations

Publish updated drivers for previously manufactured computers running

Windows Vista or Windows XP that are capable of being upgraded to Windows 7.

Validate the Windows 7 USB migration library correctly preserves any customized
registry values for USB ports and embedded USB devices when end users upgrade
from Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.

Related Content
Title
Migrating from Windows XP to
Windows 7

Location
http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/windows/dd671583.aspx

User State Migration Tool 4.0

Users Guide

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd560801.aspx

Step-by-Step: Windows 7
Upgrade and Migration

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd446674.aspx

Step-by-Step: Basic Windows

Migration Using USMT for IT
Professionals

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/library/dd883247(WS.10).aspx

User State Migration Tool

(video)

http://technet.microsoft.com/enus/windows/dd572169.aspx

USB Migration Support for

Windows 7 Upgrade Scenarios

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/connect/us
b/USB-Win7MigrationDLL.mspx

Back to Top

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 65

Appendix: Key Features by Edition

The following table summarizes the availability of key features in each edition of
Windows 7.
Key Feature

Windows
7 Starter

Windows Taskbar
and Jump Lists

Windows 7
Home Basic
(emerging
markets
only)

Windows Search

Join a HomeGroup

Windows 7
Home
Premium

Windows 7
Professional

Windows 7
Enterprise/
Windows 7
Ultimate

Windows Media
Player ^

Backup and
Restore

Enhanced media
playback ^

Action Center

Device Stage

Home media
streaming,
including Play To ^

Bluetooth support

Fax and Scan

Basic Games

Credentials
Manager

Live thumbnail
previews from
Windows taskbar

Fast user
switching

Create ad-hoc
wireless networks

Location and
other sensors

Multiple monitor
support

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 66

Windows Mobility
Center* (without
presentation
settings)

Aero Glass and

simpler window
navigation

Aero Background

Windows Touch

Create a
HomeGroup

Windows Media
Center ^

Create and play

DVDs ^

Remote Media
Streaming ^

Premium Games

Snipping Tool,
Sticky Notes,
Windows Journal

Windows
SideShow
(auxiliary display)

Windows XP
Mode

Location-aware
printing

Domain Join and

Group Policy
controls

Remote Desktop
Host

Advanced Backup
and Restrore
(Network and
Group Policy)

Encrypting File
System

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 67

Windows
Mobility Center:
(with Presentation
Mode)*

Offline Folders

BitLocker and
BitLocker To Go

AppLocker

DirectAccess

BranchCache

Multilingual user
interface (MUI)

Enterprise search
scopes

Virtual Desktop
Infrastructure
(VDI)
Enhancements**

Direct Boot from

VHD

^These features are not available in box for N or KN edition versions.

*Windows Mobility Center is visible only on notebook computers
**Windows 7 Ultimate is not licensed for VDI scenarios, but these features may be
used to have a richer experience when using Remote Desktop to connect to a
computer running Windows 7 Ultimate.
Features and functionality described in this document or exposed in the pre-release
versions of Windows 7 are not a guarantee of inclusion in the final, released product
or in specific editions of Windows.
Back to Top

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 68

Appendix: Upgrade Test Matrix

All upgrades to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 have the following
limitations:

Cross-architecture in-place upgrades (either x86 to x64 or x64 to x86) are not
supported.

Cross-language in-place upgrades (for example: en-us to de-de) are not

supported.

Cross-build-type in-place upgrades (for example: fre to chk) are not supported.

The Developer Preview (M3) release can be upgraded to the Beta release, but it
cannot be upgraded to the RC or RTM releases.

The Beta release can be upgraded to the RC release, but cannot be upgraded to
the RTM release.

The RC release cannot be upgraded to the RTM release. For more information,
see the Engineering Windows 7 Blog: Delivering a Quality Upgrade Experience
(http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/04/07/delivering-a-quality-upgradeexperience.aspx).

The tables on the following pages summarize the upgrade matrix for Windows 7 and
Windows Server 2008 R2, according to the following legend.
Value
X

Definition
In-place upgrade is not supported.
This will be messaged in the Upgrade Compatibility Report or via a Setup dialog.

x86

"x86 to x86" in-place upgrade is supported.

x64

"x64 to x64" in-place upgrade is supported.

RIU

Repair in-place upgrade is supported for product support. When directed by a

support professional, the user can perform a Windows 7 (edition) to
Windows 7 (same edition) or Windows Server 2008 R2 (edition) to Windows
Server 2008 R2 (same edition) in-place upgrade to repair the Windows
installation.
For example, a repair in-place upgrade is supported for Windows 7 Ultimate
edition to Windows 7 Ultimate edition. Similarly, a repair in-place upgrade is
supported for Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise edition to Windows
Server 2008 R2 Enterprise edition.

RIUx86

Repair in-place upgrade is supported for x86 only.

WAU

Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU) is supported. WAU uses Windows editionservicing commands to transform a lower Windows 7 edition into a higher
Windows 7 edition: for example, changing Windows 7 Home Basic to Windows 7
Ultimate.

In the table, Windows Server 2008 RTM is identified as "RTM-SP1". System

Information for Windows Server 2008 RTM displays "Windows Server 2008 Service
Pack 1".

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 69

The following information applies to the Windows 7 regulatory editions for Korea:

Windows 7 "K" editions follow the same upgrade paths as their corresponding
Windows 7 edition. K identifies the Korean version of an edition.

Windows 7 "KN" editions do not support in-place upgrade and follow the same
Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU) upgrade paths as "non-regulatory" K editions.

Back to Top

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 70

Table: Upgrade Paths to Windows 7

The following table summarizes the upgrade paths available for each edition of Windows 7.
Upgrade from:

Upgrade to Windows 7 Edition:

Starter

Home
Basic

Home
Premium

Professional

Enterprise

Ultimate

Starter N

Home
Basic N

Professional N

Windows 95,
Windows 98,
Windows ME,
Windows NT4,
Windows 2000,
Windows XP

Windows Vista
(RTM)

Windows Vista
Starter (SP1,
SP2)

Windows Vista
Home Basic
(SP1, SP2)

x86, x64

x86, x64

x86, x64

Windows Vista
Home Premium
(SP1, SP2)

x86, x64

x86, x64

Windows Vista
Business (SP1,
SP2)

x86, x64

x86, x64

x86, x64

Windows Vista
Enterprise (SP1,
SP2)

x86, x64

Windows Vista

x86, x64

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 71

Ultimate (SP1,
SP2)
Windows Vista
Home Basic N
(SP1, SP2)

Windows Vista
Business N (SP1,
SP2)

Windows 7
Starter

RIUx86

WAU, X

WAU, X

WAU, X

Windows 7
Home Basic

RIU

WAU, X

WAU, X

WAU, X

Windows 7
Home Premium

RIU

WAU, X

WAU, X

Windows 7
Professional

RIU

WAU, X

Windows 7
Enterprise

RIU

Windows 7
Ultimate

RIU

Windows 7
Starter N

RIUx86

WAU, X

Windows 7
Home Basic N

RIU

WAU, X

Windows 7
Professional N

RIU

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 72

Table: Upgrade Paths to Windows Server 2008 R2

The following table summarizes the upgrade paths available for each edition of Windows Server 2008 R2.
Upgrade from:

Upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2 Edition:

(Core)
Standard

(Core)
Enterprise

(Core)
Datacenter

(Core)
Web

Standard

Enterprise

Datacenter

Web

Foundation

Windows 2000
Server,
Windows 2000
Advanced Server,
Windows 2000
Datacenter Server

For
Itaniumbased
systems
X

Windows Server
2003 (RTM, SP1)

Windows Server
2003 Standard
(SP2, R2)

x64

x64

Windows Server
2003 Enterprise
(SP2, R2)

x64

x64

Windows Server
2003 Datacenter
(SP2, R2)

x64

Windows Server
2003 Web Edition
(SP2)

Windows Server
2003 Itanium 64
(SP2)

Windows Server

x64

x64

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 73

2008 Standard
(Core) (RTM-SP1,
SP2)
Windows Server
2008 Enterprise
(Core) (RTM-SP1,
SP2)

x64

x64

Windows Server
2008 Datacenter
(Core) (RTM-SP1,
SP2)

x64

Windows Web
Server 2008
(Core) (RTM-SP1,
SP2)

x64

x64

Windows Server
2008 Standard
(RTM-SP1, SP2)

x64

x64

Windows Server
2008 Enterprise
(RTM-SP1, SP2)

x64

x64

Windows Server
2008 Datacenter
(RTM-SP1, SP2)

x64

Windows Web
Server 2008
(RTM-SP1, SP2)

x64

x64

Windows Server
2008 Foundation
(SP2)

x64

Windows Server
2008 for Itanium
based Systems

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

OEM Technical Guide for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for System Builders - 74

(RTM-SP1, SP2)
Windows Server
2008 R2 Standard
(Core)

RIU

x64

Windows Server
2008 R2
Enterprise (Core)

RIU

x64

Windows Server
2008 R2
Datacenter (Core)

RIU

x64

RIU

Windows Server
2008 R2 Standard

RIU

x64

Windows Server
2008 R2
Enterprise

RIU

x64

Windows Server
2008 R2
Datacenter

RIU

Windows Web
Server 2008 R2

x64

RIU

Windows Server
2008 R2
Foundation

x64

RIU

Windows Server
2008 R2 for
Itanium based
Systems

Windows Web
Server 2008 R2
(Core)

Back to Top

2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.