ACT Step by Step

ACT Guide: Step-By-Step Scenarios
Last Updated: May 22, 2007

Applies to: IT Professionals
Abstract: This paper provides step-by-step information, guiding you through the major
scenarios employed while using the Microsoft® Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT).
This information applies to the:
Windows Vista™ operating system

Microsoft Windows Server® 2003 operating systems
Microsoft Windows® XP operating systems
Microsoft Windows® 2000 operating system
Disclaimer
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Contents
Overview .................................................................................................................................. 4
How ACT Works .................................................................................................................. 4
Prerequisites for Scenario Walkthroughs ............................................................................ 5
ACT Scenarios ......................................................................................................................... 5
Scenario 1: Deploying a New Operating System ................................................................ 5
Phase 1: Collecting Your Inventory and Compatibility Data ........................................... 6
Phase 2: Analyzing Your Compatibility Data .................................................................. 9
Prioritizing Your Data .......................................................................................... 9
Categorizing Your Data .................................................................................... 10
Setting Your Assessment ................................................................................. 10
Filtering Your Data ............................................................................................ 11
Viewing a Report .............................................................................................. 12
Adding and Resolving Issues and Solutions ..................................................... 13
Phase 3: Testing and Mitigating Your Issues ............................................................... 13
Using the Standalone Setup Analysis Tool (SAT) ............................................ 13
Using the Standard User Analyzer (SUA) ......................................................... 14
Using the Compatibility Administrator ............................................................... 16
Scenario 2: Applying a Windows Update .......................................................................... 16
Phase 1: Collecting Your Inventory and Compatibility Data ......................................... 17
Phase 2: Analyzing Your Compatibility Data ................................................................ 20
Prioritizing Your Data ........................................................................................ 20
Setting Your Severity ........................................................................................ 21
Viewing a Report .............................................................................................. 22
Using the Standard User Analyzer (SUA) ......................................................... 23
Using the Compatibility Administrator ............................................................... 24
Scenario 3: Upgrading Internet Explorer ........................................................................... 25
Phase 1: Collecting Your Inventory and Compatibility Data ......................................... 25
Phase 2: Analyzing Your Compatibility Data ................................................................ 28
Prioritizing Your Data ........................................................................................ 29
Setting Your Assessment ................................................................................. 30
Viewing a Report .............................................................................................. 31
Adding and Resolving Issues ........................................................................... 31
Using the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool .......................................... 32
ACT Guide: Step-By-Step Scenarios 4
Overview
The purpose of this white paper is to provide clear information about the core usage
scenarios for ACT. While following the walkthroughs presented in this guide, you will create
an inventory of currently installed applications, determine which applications might have
compatibility issues, organize the data so that they make sense, and create the solutions to
enable the problematic applications to run.
How ACT Works

ACT 5.0 provides a way for you to create an inventory of your organization, including your
installed applications, computers, and devices. It also enables you to collect compatibility
data, to determine the impact of that data in your organization, and, finally, to create
mitigation packages to fix the compatibility issues, when possible. There are four steps for
effectively using ACT in your organization. The four steps are:
Configuring and Troubleshooting Your ACT Setup. Before using ACT 5.0 in your
organization, you must ensure that your organization can support the hardware, software,
permission, and database role requirements. You must then install and configure the tool.
Note For more information about software and hardware requirements, the
installation of ACT, the configuration of ACT, or any known ACT Setup
troubleshooting information, see the Microsoft ACT: Configuration and
Troubleshooting ACT Setup white paper, available for download from the Related
Resources section of the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 Download Web
page.
Phase 1: Collecting Data. Before analyzing your potential compatibility issues, you
must first collect your organization's inventory and the associated compatibility issues.
Note For more information about creating and deploying data collection packages,
see the Microsoft ACT: Phase 1 - Collecting Data white paper, available for
download from the Related Resources section of the Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 Download Web page.
Phase 2: Analyzing Issues. After collecting your inventory and associated compatibility
data, you can organize and analyze your issues. This includes categorizing, prioritizing,
setting your deployment status, and setting your application assessment to create
customized reports.
Note For more information about organizing, prioritizing, and analyzing your data,
see the Microsoft ACT: Phase 2 - Analyzing Issues white paper, available for
download from the Related Resources section of the Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 Download Web page.
Phase 3: Testing and Mitigating Issues. After analyzing your compatibility issue
reports, you can test your applications to determine if the specified compatibility issues are
actually problems within your organization. If you determine that the issues are valid, you
can create mitigation packages to fix the issues, by using the Compatibility Administrator.
You can also use the other developer tools, provided with ACT, including the Internet
Explorer Compatibility Tool, the Setup Analysis Tool, and the Standard User Analyzer tool,
to determine additional issues and possible mitigation strategies.
Note For more information about mitigating your issues using the Compatibility
Administrator, or how to use the developer tools, see the Microsoft ACT: Phase 3 –
Testing and Mitigating Issues white paper, available for download from the
Related Resources section of the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
Download Web page.

Prerequisites for Scenario Walkthroughs

To complete the walkthroughs described in this white paper, you must ensure that you:
Are an Administrator on the computer.

Have Internet access.
Have a valid .NET Passport account.
Have an environment of client computers to which you can deploy the data collection
packages, including providing the required configuration, permissions, and database roles
for each user account.
Note For specific configuration and permission information, see the Microsoft
ACT: Configuration and Troubleshooting ACT Setup white paper.
Install any application, including Internet Explorer 7 (if you are using the Internet
Explorer-related data collection package, for which you require compatibility data on your
specified client computers).
Install and configure the Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0, based on the information
in the Microsoft ACT: Configuration and Troubleshooting ACT Setup white paper.
Plan your deployment strategy, including where and how to deploy the data collection
packages.
ACT Scenarios
There are three core usage scenarios for ACT 5.0 in an enterprise environment. These three
scenarios comprise assessing and mitigating compatibility issues with:
Deploying a new operating system.

Deploying a Windows update.
Upgrading the version of Internet Explorer.
This section presents you with step-by-step walkthroughs for each of the scenarios listed
above, including common organizational, analytical, and mitigation procedures.
At the end of each walkthrough, you will have created an inventory of your organization's
hardware and software collection, organized the collected data so that it is customized
according to the needs of your organization, defined an application that might have a
compatibility issue, and created and deployed a mitigation package to fix that compatibility
issue.
Important Each walkthrough assumes that you have already installed and configured the
Application Compatibility Toolkit, as described in the Microsoft ACT: Configuration and
Troubleshooting ACT Setup white paper.
Scenario 1: Deploying a New Operating System

This scenario covers an organization that is planning to deploy a new operating system into
its environment, but first requires a more detailed assessment of the potential compatibility
issues. You must deploy the associated DCP only to client computers running one of the
following operating systems.
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Windows Vista
Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 (SP4) and Update Rollup 1

Phase 1: Collecting Your Inventory and Compatibility Data

In this phase, you will create a new data collection package that will collect your computer,
device, installed applications, and associated compatibility issues.
To collect your inventory and compatibility data

1. On the taskbar, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit 5.0, and then click Application Compatibility Manager.
2. On the Collect screen, double-click the By Name pane.
The New <default_package_name> dialog box appears.
3. In the Package Name box, type Inventory_Collection.
4. In the Evaluate compatibility when area, click Deploying a new Operating System or
Service Pack.
5. Click Advanced.
The Advanced Settings dialog box appears.
6. Clear the User Account Control Compatibility Evaluator and Windows Vista
Compatibility Evaluators check boxes, and then click OK.
The Advanced Setting dialog box closes.
7. In the When to monitor application usage area, keep the default options, but change
the Duration to 10 Minutes.
8. In the Output Location box, keep your default value, previously specified in the ACT
Configuration Wizard.
9. On the File menu, click Save and Create Package.
10. Save the compiled DCP to your desktop.
Note The Application Compatibility Manager saves the DCP as an executable
(.exe) file.
11. Determine which method you will use to deploy your DCP. These methods include
Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 (SMS 2003), Group Policy Installation
Software, logon scripts, or any customized deployment method already used within your
organization.
Note The suggested deployment methods might require that you repackage the
DCP, which is an .exe file format, into an .msi file format. For more information about
how to repackage your DCPs, see How to create a Setup package by using Visual Studio
.NET, How to publish non-MSI programs with .zap files, and Using the WiX Toolset to
Integrate Setup into Your Development Process .
For detailed deployment methodology, including determining where and when to
deploy the DCP, see the Microsoft ACT: Phase 1 – Collecting Data white paper.
12. By using the method determined in step 11, deploy the DCP to your specified client
computer's desktops.
Note We recommend that you collect your data from about 10,000 computers, if
you have a large number of available client computers in your organization.
13. Double-click the packaged DCP from each identified client computer's desktop.
The DCP runs on the client computer.
14. In the Quick Reports pane of the Application Compatibility Manager, click Analyze.
The Analyze screen appears.

15. On the Analyze screen of your client computers, click Send and Receive.
16. In the Sign-in to Compatibility Data Exchange dialog box, enter the required Microsoft
.NET Passport details, and then click Sign In.
The Confirm dialog box appears.

17. Click View the specific applications to be shared with the ACT Community.
The dialog box changes to display the applications that will send and will receive
information from Microsoft during the synchronization process.

Important You can disable specific applications from the synchronization

process, so that you do not share the related issue data with Microsoft or the ACT
Community.
18. Click Send Data.
Data synchronization occurs between your computer and the Microsoft Compatibility
Exchange.
19. Return to the Analyze screen and review the updated issue data for your applications.

21. In the Package Name box, type OS_Deployment.

22. In the Evaluate compatibility when area, click Deploying a new Operating System or
Service Pack.
Note This evaluator option includes the Inventory Collector, the UACCE, and the
WVCE, by default.
23. Keep the default values in the When to monitor application usage area and in the
Output Location box.
26. Repeat steps 11-19 to deploy your DCP and to synchronize your data.
Phase 2: Analyzing Your Compatibility Data

In this phase, you will organize your data by using categories and subcategories, priorities,
and assessment ratings. After organizing your data, you will be able to filter your
compatibility data, to determine which applications might have compatibility issues, and to
view the information in customized reports.
Prioritizing Your Data
In this section, you will prioritize your application compatibility data, based on the importance
of the application to your organization. The available priority levels are:
Business Critical. The highest priority level. Business critical items are so important to
your organization that, unless you certify them, you cannot deploy the updated operating
system.
Important. The priority level for applications, Web sites, and updates that your
organization regularly uses but can continue to function without. You can choose to deploy
the updated operating system without requiring certification.
Nice to Have. The priority level for applications, Web sites, and updates that do not fall
into the previous two categories but should appear in your ACT compatibility reports. You
will deploy the updated operating system regardless of certification.
Unimportant. The priority level for applications, Web sites, and updates that is irrelevant
to your organization's daily operations. You can use this priority level to filter the
unimportant items from your reports.
Unspecified. The default priority level that is automatically assigned to all applications,
Web sites, and updates. Your organization can use this priority level to denote applications
that have not yet been reviewed for deployment.
To prioritize your applications

1. In the Quick Reports pane of the Analyze screen, click Applications below the
Windows Vista Reports heading.
The Windows Vista – Application Report screen appears.
2. Click Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 in the Windows Vista –
Application Report screen.
3. On the Actions menu, click Priority.
The Assign Priority dialog box appears.

4. Click Priority 1 – Business Critical, and then click OK.
Categorizing Your Data
In this section, you will create and will assign categories and subcategories to an application.
To create a new category and subcategory

1. In the Windows Vista - Application Report screen, click Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit 5.0.
2. On the Actions menu, click Categories.
The Assign Categories dialog box appears.
3. Click Master Category List.
The Master Category List dialog box appears.
4. In the Categories area, click Add, type Location, and then press ENTER.
5. In the Subcategories area, click Add, type United States, and then press ENTER.
6. In the Subcategories area, click Add, type Europe, and then press ENTER.
7. Click OK.
The Master Category List dialog box closes.
8. Click OK.
The Assign Categories dialog box closes.
To assign a category and a subcategory

3. Select the United States check box, and then click OK.
Important Although United States is a subcategory, when you select the check
box, it automatically selects the parent category. You must assign a subcategory if
you assign a category.
Setting Your Assessment
In this section, you will set your organization's assessment rating for an application. Your
assessment rating enables you to specify which applications might be problematic while
going through your organization's testing process. Your application assessments originate
from authoritative sources, such as Microsoft and the application vendor, from your own
testing, and from the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) Community if you are a
member.
The following table describes the icons that appear in the My Assessment and Community
Assessment columns on the Analyze screen.
Icon Description
Denotes applications that work properly and function as expected.

Icon Description
Denotes applications with minor issues or with issues that have known solutions.
Denotes applications with major issues, such as data loss or severely impaired
functionality.
Denotes applications that do not have any application assessment data. In this
Blank case, either the application does not match any information in the database or no
user has submitted an assessment.
The following table describes the icons that appear in the Vendor Assessment column on
the Analyze screen.
Icon Description
Denotes that the application received logo certification.
Denotes applications that work as they are but have not received logo
certification from Microsoft.
Denotes applications with minor issues or with issues that have known solutions.
To set your assessment rating

2. On the Actions menu, click Assessment.
The Set Assessment dialog box appears.
3. Click Works, and then click OK.
Filtering Your Data
In this section, you will create a single filter to display your compatibility data based on a
category, a subcategory, a priority, and an assessment rating. After filtering your data, you
can view the results as a customized report, tailored to your organizational requirements.

To create a custom filter

1. In the Windows Vista - Application Report screen, click Toggle Filter.
2. In the Field list, click Priority.
3. In the Operator list, click Equals.
4. In the Value box, type Priority 1 - Business Critical.
5. Press the TAB key to create a new query row.
6. In the And/Or list, click And.
7. In the Field list, click My Assessment.
9. In the Value box, click Works.
12. In the Field list, click Categories (+).
13. In the Operator list, click Exists.
Important Do not enter text into the Value box.
16. In the Field list, click Category Name.
18. In the Value box, type Location.
21. In the Field list, click Subcategory Name.
23. In the Value box, type United States.
24. Right-click anywhere in the row, and then click Execute.
The filter sorts your data to display the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
because it is the only application that fulfills all the filter criteria.
Viewing a Report
In this section, you will view an <operating_system> report screen and an <application
name> dialog box. The <operating_system> report screen enables you to view your data by
individual operating system, such as Windows XP or Windows Vista. The application details
dialog box enables you to view more deeply detailed data, such as the assessment rating,
known issues and solutions, application properties, or computer details.
To view an <Operating_System> Application report and an application details dialog

box
1. In the Quick Reports pane of the Analyze screen, click Applications below the
Windows Vista Reports heading
The Windows Vista Applications Report screen appears.

2. Double-click Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0.

The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 dialog box appears, displaying
the assessment details for the application.
3. Click the Issues, Application Properties, and Computers tab for more information
about the application as it relates to that heading.
Adding and Resolving Issues and Solutions

In this section, you will add a new compatibility issue and a new solution, and then you will
resolve the issue for your organization.
To add and resolve a compatibility issue

1. In the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 dialog box, click Add Issue on
the Actions menu.
The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 – New Issue dialog box appears.
2. In the Title box, type Example_Issue.
3. In the Priority list, click Priority 3 – Nice to Fix.
4. In the Severity list, click Severity 3 – Minor functionality loss.
5. In the Symptom list, click Application has impaired functionality.
6. In the Cause list, click Application requires a deprecated component.
7. In the Affected Operating Systems box, keep the default value (Windows Vista)
selected.
8. In the Issue Description box, type This is the issue description text.
9. On the File menu, click Save.
10. On the Actions menu in the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 –
Example_Issue dialog box, click Add Solution.
The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 – Add Solution dialog box
appears.
11. In the Title box, type Example_Solution.
12. In the Solution Type box, click Application configuration change.
13. In the Solution Details box, type This is the solution details text.
14. Click Save.
15. On the Actions menu in the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 –
Example_Issue dialog box, click Resolve.
The issue is resolved, changing the red x to a green check mark.
Phase 3: Testing and Mitigating Your Issues

In this phase, you will test and will mitigate your issues by using the Setup Analysis Tool
(SAT), the Standard User Analyzer (SUA), and the Compatibility Administrator.
Using the Standalone Setup Analysis Tool (SAT)
In this section, you will use the standalone Setup Analysis Tool (SAT) to run your application
installations while monitoring the actions performed by each application’s installer. You can
use a virtual version of the SAT. There are two versions of the SAT, a standalone version
and a virtual version. The standalone version of SAT does not require a virtual environment
and can monitor any MSI-based installers and third-party installers. We recommend that you

use the standalone version and a test computer for monitoring a single, application-
installation file.
Note For more information about the virtual SAT tool, see the Using the Virtual Setup
Analysis Tool section of the Microsoft ACT: Phase 3 – Testing and Mitigating Issues
white paper, available for download from the Related Resources section of the Microsoft
Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 Download Web page.
The standalone SAT components and driver run on the following operating systems.
Windows 2000 Update Rollup 1 (RU1) for Service Pack 4 (SP4)
To install and use the SAT

1. Open a Command Prompt window, change directories to the \%Program
Files%\Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5\Setup Analysis Tool directory, and
then type satinstall.exe.
The Setup Analysis Tool Installation Wizard appears.
2. Click Next.
The wizard displays the SAT Installation Modes.
3. Click the Standalone SAT option, and then click Next.
The wizard displays the SAT Installation Actions.
4. Click the Install option, and then click Next.
The SAT collects information from your computer and prepares to start installation.
5. Click Next to begin the SAT installation process.
The Setup Analysis Tool appears next to the Setup Analysis Tool Installation Wizard.
6. Click Next in the Setup Analysis Tool Installation Wizard, and then click Finish.
The Setup Analysis Tool Installation Wizard closes.
7. In the Setup Analysis Tool, type c:\setup.exe (where c:\ is your primary system drive) in
the Type the setup file location box.
8. Clear the Shut down the computer after the SAT completes its processes check box
so that your computer does not shut down after the SAT completes its processes.
9. Select the Prevent setup programs from restarting the computer check box to
prevent the setup programs from restarting the computer.
10. Type the location of your ACT Log Processing share, which should be a local folder if
you performed a default installation of the ACT.
11. Click Run.
The SAT runs your command and begins to profile the specified setup programs to
determine what application installation issues might exist with Windows Vista.
Using the Standard User Analyzer (SUA)
In this section, you will use the Standard User Analyzer (SUA) tool to test your applications
and to monitor API calls to detect potential compatibility issues due to the new User Account
Control (UAC) feature in Windows Vista.

Note For more information about SUA, see the Using the Standard User Analyzer section
of the Microsoft ACT: Phase 3 – Testing and Mitigating Issues white paper, available for
download from the Related Resources section of the Microsoft Application Compatibility
Toolkit 5.0 Download Web page.
To test an application by using SUA

1. Log on the computer with a Standard User account.
2. On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.
3. Type calc.exe, and then press ENTER.
The Microsoft Calculator appears in Standard mode.
4. On the View menu, click Scientific.
The Microsoft Calculator changes to Scientific mode.
5. Click Close.
6. Reopen the calculator application, noting that the calculator has returned to Standard
mode and that your settings are not saved.
7. Log off the computer.
8. Log on the computer with an Administrator account.
12. Click Close.
13. Reopen the calculator application, noting that the calculator remains in Scientific mode
and that your settings are saved. Because the Microsoft Calculator behaves differently
for Standard Users and Administrators, we can conclude that a UAC issue exists.
Note The calculator issue described for this example is no longer an issue in
Windows Vista.
14. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Application Compatibility
Toolkit 5.0, point to Developer and Tester Tools, and then click Standard User
Analyzer.
15. In the Target Application box, type C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe.
16. In the Symbols Path box, type C:\Windows\Symbols.
17. Click Launch.
The Microsoft Calculator appears in Scientific mode.
18. On the View menu, click Standard, and then close the calculator.
19. Click through each of the SUA tabs, reviewing the detected issues. You should see
entries on the INI and File tabs.
20. Click the File tab.
21. Review the file information, specifically the Work with Virtualization column.
A Yes in this column indicates that any attempt to write to the file is virtualized with the
Program Compatibility Assistant in Windows Vista. Virtualization is an inbox mitigation,
which can fix the issue until the application developers update the application.

22. On the View menu, click Detailed Information.

23. Review the information, including the Stack Trace details area.
24. On the Mitigation menu, click Apply Mitigations.
The Mitigate AppCompat Issues dialog box appears with the recommended
mitigations for the issue.
25. Click Apply.
Using the Compatibility Administrator

In this section, you will use the Compatibility Administrator tool to resolve one of your
compatibility issues, by creating and applying a compatibility fix.
Note For more information about using the Compatibility Administrator, including the other
available mitigation options, see the Using the Compatibility Administrator section of the
Microsoft ACT: Phase 3 – Testing and Mitigating Issues white paper, available for
To use the Compatibility Administrator

1. On the Compatibility Administrator toolbar, click New.
The New Database(n) [Untitled_n] entry appears below the Custom Databases
heading in the left pane.
2. Right-click the New Database(n) [Untitled_n] entry, click Rename, type Custom
Database 1, and then press ENTER.
3. Right-click the Custom Database Application Fix database, click Create new, and
then click Application Fix.
The Create new Application Fix wizard appears.
4. Type Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0 in the Name of the program to
be fixed box, type Microsoft in the Name of the vendor for this program box, browse
to the ACM.exe file, located in the %Program Files%\Microsoft Application Compatibility
Toolkit 5\Application Compatibility Manager directory, and then click Next.
5. Click Microsoft Windows 2000, select the DisableThemes check box, and then click
Next.
6. Select the CorrectFilePaths compatibility fix, and then click Next.
7. Click Auto-Generate to automatically select the files that the Compatibility Administrator
recommends to represent your application, and then click Finish.
8. On the File menu, click Save As.
9. Keep the default location, type ACMCompatFix into the File name box, and then click
Save.
10. At the command prompt, change directories to %Program Files%\Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit 5\Application Compatibility Manager directory.
11. Type sdbinst.exe ACTCompatFix.sdb.
The application fix is applied to your local computer.
Scenario 2: Applying a Windows Update

This scenario covers an organization that is planning to deploy a Windows update into its
environment, but first requires a more detailed assessment of the potential compatibility

issues. You must deploy the associated DCP only to client computers running one of the
following operating systems.

Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 (SP4) and Update Rollup 1
Important ACT does not support the UCE on earlier versions of the previously
listed operating systems, Windows Vista, Windows NT, Windows Server Code
Name "Longhorn," or any 64-bit operating system.

In this phase, you will create a new data collection package that will collect your hardware
and software inventory and then visit several Web sites to view the associated compatibility
data.

3. In the Package Name box, type Inventory_for_Updates.
4. In the Evaluate compatibility when area, click Applying Windows Updates.
5. Click Advanced.
The Advanced Settings dialog box appears
6. Clear the Update Compatibility Evaluator check box, and then click OK.
The Advanced Settings dialog box closes.
(.exe) file.
organization.
Note The suggested deployment methods might require that you repackage the

Note We recommend that you collect your data from about 10,000 computers, if
you have a large number of available client computers in your organization.
The DCP runs on the client computer.



Community.
Data synchronization occurs between your computer and the Microsoft Compatibility
Exchange.
19. Return to the Analyze screen and review the updated security data for your
applications.

21. In the Package Name box, type Update_Deployment.

22. In the Evaluate compatibility when area, click Applying Windows Updates.
Note This evaluator option includes the Inventory Collector and the UCE, by
default.
26. Repeat steps 11-19 to deploy your DCP and to synchronize your data.

and severities. After organizing your data, you will be able to filter your compatibility data, to
determine which applications might have compatibility issues, and to view the information in
customized reports.
In this section, you will prioritize your application compatibility data, based on the importance
of the application to your organization. The available priority levels are:
system.
organization regularly uses but can continue to function without. You can choose to deploy
the updated operating system without requiring certification.
into the previous two categories but should appear in your ACT compatibility reports. You
will deploy the updated operating system regardless of certification.
Web sites, and updates. Your organization can use this priority level to denote applications
that have not yet been reviewed for deployment.

1. In the Quick Reports pane of the Analyze screen, click Applications below the Update
Impact Reports heading.
2. The Update Impact Reports - Applications screen appears.
3. Click Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit Data Collector 5.0 in the Update
Impact Reports – Applications screen.
5. The Assign Priority dialog box appears.
6. Click Priority 2 – Important, and then click OK.

In this section, you will create and will assign categories and subcategories to an application.


1. In the Update Impact Reports - Applications screen, click Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit Data Collector 5.0.
4. In the Categories area, click Add, type Department, and then press ENTER.
5. In the Subcategories area, click Add, type Sales, and then press ENTER.
6. In the Subcategories area, click Add, type Marketing, and then press ENTER.
7. Click OK.
8. Click OK.

1. In the Update Impact Reports - Applications screen, click Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit Data Collector 5.0.
3. Select the Sales check box, and then click OK.
Important Although Sales is a subcategory, when you select the check box, it
automatically selects the parent category. You must assign a subcategory if you
assign a category.
Setting Your Severity
In this section, you will set your organization's severity rating for the Windows update. Your
severity rating enables you to specify which updates might be problematic while going
through your organization's testing process.
Important You can only set your severity rating for a Windows update, in the Updates
screen. You cannot set a severity rating for an application or Web site.
To set your severity rating

1. On the Quick Reports pane of the Analyze screen, click Updates below the Update
The Updates screen appears.
2. In the Updates screen, click the top-most Windows update in the right-hand pane.
3. On the Actions menu, click Set My Severity.
The Set My Severity dialog box appears.
4. In the Select your Severity list, click Moderate, and then click OK.
Note You can create your own severities for inclusion in the Select your Severity
list.

Filtering Your Data
category, a subcategory, a priority, and an assessment rating. After you filter your data, you

1. In the Update Impact Reports – Applications screen, click Toggle Filter.
4. In the Value box, type Priority 2 - Important.
9. In the Value box, type Sales.
18. In the Value box, type Department.
The filter sorts your data to display the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit Data
Collector 5.0 because it is the only application that fulfills all the filter criteria.
Viewing a Report
In this section, you will view an Update Impact Reports - Applications report screen, an
application details dialog box, an Updates report screen and a security update dialog box.
To view an Update Impact Reports - Application report and an application details

dialog box
1. In the Quick Reports pane of the Analyze screen, click Applications below the Update
The Update Impact Reports - Applications screen appears.
2. Double-click Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit Data Collector 5.0.
The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit Data Collector 5.0 dialog box
appears, displaying the assessment details for the application.

3. Click the Intersecting Updates, Application Properties, and Computers tab for more
information about the application as it relates to that heading.
To view an Updates report and a security update dialog box

1. In the Quick Reports pane of the Analyze screen, click Updates below the Update
The Updates screen appears.
2. Double-click the top-most Windows update in the right-hand pane.
The security update dialog box appears, displaying the details for the update.
3. Click the Intersecting Applications, Update Properties, and Computers tab for more
information about the update as it relates to that heading.

In the following sections, you will test and will mitigate your issues by using the Standard
User Analyzer (SUA) and the Compatibility Administrator.
Using the Standard User Analyzer (SUA)
In this section, you will use the Standard User Analyzer (SUA) tool to test your applications
and monitor API calls to detect potential compatibility issues due to the new User Account
Control (UAC) feature in Windows Vista.
Note For more information about SUA, see the Using the Standard User Analyzer section
of the Microsoft ACT: Phase 3 – Testing and Mitigating Issues white paper, available for
To test an application by using SUA

1. Log on the computer with a Standard User account.
5. Click Close.
6. Reopen the calculator application, noting that the calculator has returned to Standard
mode and that your settings are not saved.
7. Log off the computer.
8. Log on the computer with an Administrator account.

12. Click Close.

13. Reopen the calculator application, noting that the calculator remains in Scientific mode
and that your settings are saved. Because the Microsoft Calculator behaves differently
for Standard Users and Administrators, we can conclude that a UAC issue exists.
Note The calculator issue described for this example is no longer an issue in
Windows Vista.
14. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft Application Compatibility
Toolkit 5.0, point to Developer and Tester Tools, and then click Standard User
Analyzer.
15. In the Target Application box, type C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe.
16. In the Symbols Path box, type C:\Windows\Symbols.
17. Click Launch.
The Microsoft Calculator appears in Scientific mode.
18. On the View menu, click Standard, and then close the calculator.
19. Click through each of the SUA tabs, reviewing the detected issues. You should see
entries on the INI and File tabs.
20. Click the File tab.
21. Review the file information, specifically the Work with Virtualization column.
A Yes in this column indicates that any attempt to write to the file is virtualized with the
Program Compatibility Assistant in Windows Vista. Virtualization is an inbox mitigation,
which can fix the issue until the application developers update the application.
22. On the View menu, click Detailed Information.
23. Review the information, including the Stack Trace details area.
24. On the Mitigation menu, click Apply Mitigations.
The Mitigate AppCompat Issues dialog box appears with the recommended
mitigations for the issue.
25. Click Apply.
Using the Compatibility Administrator

In this section, you will use the Compatibility Administrator tool to resolve one of your
compatibility issues, by creating and applying a compatibility mode.
Note For more information about using the Compatibility Administrator, including the other
mitigation options available, see the Using the Compatibility Administrator section of the
Microsoft ACT: Phase 3 – Testing and Mitigating Issues white paper, available for
To use the Compatibility Administrator

1. On the Compatibility Administrator toolbar, click New.
The New Database(n) [Untitled_n] entry appears below the Custom Databases
heading in the left pane.

2. Right-click the New Database(n) [Untitled_n] entry, click Rename, type Custom
Database 2, and then press ENTER.
3. Right-click the Custom Database Compatibility Mode database, click Create new, and
then click Compatibility Mode.
The Create a Custom Compatibility Mode wizard appears.
4. Type Compatibility Mode Example into the Name of the compatibility mode box.
5. Click AlwaysActiveMenus, and then click >.
6. Click CorrectBitmapHeader, click >, and then click OK.
7. On the File menu, click Save As.
8. Keep the default location, type ACMCompatMode into the File name box, and then
click Save.
9. At the command prompt, change directories to %Program Files%\Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit 5\Application Compatibility Manager directory.
10. Type sdbinst.exe ACMCompatMode.sdb.
The compatibility mode is applied to your local computer.
Scenario 3: Upgrading Internet Explorer

This scenario covers an organization that is planning to upgrade to Internet Explorer 7, but
first requires a more detailed assessment of the potential compatibility issues. You must
deploy the associated DCP only to client computers running one of the following operating
systems.
Windows Vista
Important You must have Internet Explorer 7 installed on any client computer to
which you will deploy the DCP.

In this phase, you will create a new data collection package that will collect your
organization's inventory. After ACT collects your inventory and while the DCP is still
deployed and collecting data, you will visit several of your required Web sites to view any
known compatibility issues.

3. In the Package Name box, type Inventory_for_IE7.
4. In the Evaluate compatibility when area, click Updating to a new version of Internet
Explorer.
5. Click Advanced.
The Advanced Settings dialog box appears
6. Clear the Internet Explorer Compatibility Evaluator check box, and then click OK.
The Advanced Settings dialog box closes.

(.exe) file.
organization.
Notes The suggested deployment methods might require that you repackage the
Note We recommend that you deploy the DCP to a controlled test environment, to
minimize the number of computers to which you must deploy and increase the yield
of the returned data.
14. The DCP runs on the client computer.


Community.


20. Data synchronization occurs between your computer and the Microsoft Compatibility
Exchange.
21. Return to the Analyze screen and review the updated software and hardware data.
23. In the Package Name box, type IE_Upgrade.
24. In the Evaluate compatibility when area, click Updating to a new version of Internet
Explorer.
Note This evaluator option includes the Inventory Collector and the IECE, by
default.
28. Repeat steps 11-14 to deploy your DCP.
29. On the client computer, open an Internet Explorer 7 browser window.
30. Visit the Microsoft Worldwide Web site, click Europe from the Web Sites drop-down list,
and then click Go.
31. Visit the Microsoft Volume Licensing Sites Worldwide Web site, click United States from the
Web Sites drop-down list, and then click Go.
32. Visit the Games for Windows Web site.
33. Close the Internet Explorer 7 browser window.

and assessment ratings. After organizing your data, you will be able to filter your
compatibility data, to determine which Web sites might have compatibility issues, and to view
the information in customized reports.

In this section, you will prioritize your Web sites, based on the importance of the site to your
organization. The available priority levels are:
system.
organization regularly uses but can continue to function without. You can choose to
deploy the updated operating system without requiring certification.
into the previous two categories but should appear in your ACT compatibility reports.
You will deploy the updated operating system regardless of certification.
Web sites, and updates. Your organization can use this priority level to denote
applications that have not yet been reviewed for deployment.

1. In the Quick Reports pane of the Analyze screen, click Web Sites below the Internet
Explorer 7 heading.
The Internet Explorer 7 – Web Site Report screen appears.
2. Click http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ in the Internet Explorer 7 – Web Site
Report screen.
The Assign Priority dialog box appears.
4. Click Priority 3 – Nice to Have, and then click OK.

In this section, you will create and assign categories and subcategories to a Web site.

1. In the Internet Explorer 7 – Web Site Report screen, click
http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/.
4. In the Categories area, click Add, type Visited By, and then press ENTER.
5. In the Subcategories area, click Add, type Management, and then press ENTER.
6. In the Subcategories area, click Add, type Employees, and then press ENTER.
7. Click OK.
8. Click OK.


3. Select the Manager check box, and then click OK.
Important Although Manager is a subcategory, when you select the check box, it
automatically selects the parent category. You must assign a subcategory if you
assign a category.
Setting Your Assessment
In this section, you will set your organization's assessment rating for a Web site. Your
assessment rating enables you to specify which sites might be problematic while going
through your organization's testing process.
The following table describes the icons that appear in the My Assessment column on the
Analyze screen.
Icon Description
Denotes Web sites that work properly and function as expected.
Denotes Web sites with minor issues or with issues that have known solutions.
Denotes Web sites with major issues, such as data loss or severely impaired
functionality.
Denotes Web sites that do not have any application assessment data. In this
Blank case, either the site does not match any information in the database or no user
has submitted an assessment.
To set your assessment rating

2. On the Actions menu, click Assessment.
The Set Assessment dialog box appears.
3. Click Works, and then click OK.
Filtering Your Data
category, a subcategory, a priority, and an assessment rating. After filtering your data, you


1. In the Internet Explorer 7 – Web Site Report screen, click Toggle Filter.
4. In the Value box, type Priority 3 – Nice to Have.
7. In the Field list, click My Assessment.
9. In the Value box, type Works.
17. In the Value box, type Visited By.
22. In the Value box, type Management.
The filter sorts your data to display the http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ Web site
because it is the only site that fulfills all the filter criteria.
Viewing a Report
In this section, you will view an Internet Explorer 7 – Web Site Report screen and a Web
site details dialog box.
To view an Internet Explorer 7 – Web Site Report and a Web site details dialog box
1. In the Quick Reports pane of the Analyze screen, click Web Sites below the Internet
Explorer 7 heading.
The Internet Explorer 7 – Web Site Report screen appears.
2. Double-click http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/.
The http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ dialog box appears, displaying the Web
site issues.
Adding and Resolving Issues
In this section, you will add a new compatibility issue and a new solution, and then you will
resolve the issue for your organization.

To add and resolve a compatibility issue

1. In the http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ dialog box, click Add Issue on the
Actions menu.
2. The http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ – New Issue dialog box appears.
3. In the Title box, type Example_Website_Issue.
4. In the Priority list, click Priority 3 – Nice to Fix.
5. In the Severity list, click Severity 3 – Minor functionality loss.
6. In the Symptom list, click Application has impaired functionality.
7. In the Cause list, click Internet Explorer Protected Mode.
8. In the Affected Operating Systems box, keep the default value (Windows Vista)
selected.
9. In the Issue Description box, type This is the issue description text.
10. On the File menu, click Save.
11. On the Actions menu in the http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ -
Example_Website_Issue dialog box, click Add Solution.
12. The http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ - Add Solution dialog box appears.
13. In the Title box, type Example_Website_Solution.
14. In the Solution Type box, click Other.
15. In the Solution Details box, type This is the solution details text.
16. Click Save.
17. On the Actions menu in the http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/ -
Example_Website_Issue dialog box, click Resolve.
The issue is resolved, changing the red x to a green check mark.

In this phase, you will test your Web site issues by using the Internet Explorer Compatibility
Tool.
Using the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool
In this section, you will use the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool to collect, in real-
time, the potential Web site and Web application issues that might occur due to running Web
sites and Web applications in Internet Explorer 7.
Note For more information about the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool, see
the Microsoft ACT: Phase 3 – Testing and Mitigating Issues white paper and the
Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool topics in the ACT online Help system.
The Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool runs on the following operating systems.
Windows XP
Windows Server 2003
Windows Vista

To use the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool

Compatibility Toolkit 5.0, point to Developer and Tester Tools, and then click
Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool.
2. Click Enable.
3. Open an Internet Explorer 7 browser window and visit the Microsoft Worldwide Web site,
click Europe from the Web Sites drop-down list, and then click Go.
4. Visit the Microsoft Volume Licensing Sites Worldwide Web site, click United States from the
Web Sites drop-down list, and then click Go.
5. Visit the Games for Windows Web site.
The test tool logs any potential issues associated with the visited Web sites.
Important You must use Internet Explorer 7 while running the Internet Explorer
Compatibility Test Tool.
6. Select the first issue, of the issue type Windows Restrictions, on the Live Data tab.
7. Review the associated information in the Issue Description area.
8. Click Filter.
The Issues Filter dialog box appears.
9. Clear the Windows Restrictions check box, and then click OK.
The data changes to display only the Games for Windows Web site results because it
is the only site with CSS Fixes issues.
10. On the File menu, click Upload.
Note You will see several status messages, stating that various ACT components
are finishing.
11. In the Save As dialog box, browse to your ACT Log Processing share location, and then
type IE_Test_Results.
12. Click Save.
By default, the ACT saves the IE_Test_Results.cab file in the Internet Explorer
Compatibility Test Tool folder. After the save completes, the test tool clears the results.
13. Click Disable, and then close the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool.
15. In the Quick Reports pane, click Analyze.
16. In the Quick Reports pane, click Web Sites in the Internet Explorer 7 section.
The Internet Explorer 7 Web Site Report screen appears, enabling you to review your
compatibility issues.

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ACT Guide: Step-By-Step Scenarios

Last Updated: May 22, 2007

This information applies to the:

Windows Vista™ operating system

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

How ACT Works

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Prerequisites for Scenario Walkthroughs

Are an Administrator on the computer.

Deploying a new operating system.

Scenario 1: Deploying a New Operating System

Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Phase 1: Collecting Your Inventory and Compatibility Data

To collect your inventory and compatibility data

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Confirm dialog box appears.

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Important You can disable specific applications from the synchronization

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

21. In the Package Name box, type OS_Deployment.

Phase 2: Analyzing Your Compatibility Data

Prioritizing Your Data

To prioritize your applications

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

4. Click Priority 1 – Business Critical, and then click OK.

Categorizing Your Data

To create a new category and subcategory

To assign a category and a subcategory

Setting Your Assessment

Denotes applications that work properly and function as expected.

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Denotes that the application received logo certification.

To set your assessment rating

Filtering Your Data

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

To create a custom filter

To view an <Operating_System> Application report and an application details dialog

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

2. Double-click Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0.

Adding and Resolving Issues and Solutions

To add and resolve a compatibility issue

Phase 3: Testing and Mitigating Your Issues

Using the Standalone Setup Analysis Tool (SAT)

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

To install and use the SAT

Using the Standard User Analyzer (SUA)

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

To test an application by using SUA

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

22. On the View menu, click Detailed Information.

Using the Compatibility Administrator

To use the Compatibility Administrator

Scenario 2: Applying a Windows Update

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)

Phase 1: Collecting Your Inventory and Compatibility Data

To collect your inventory and compatibility data

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Confirm dialog box appears.

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Important You can disable specific applications from the synchronization

© 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

21. In the Package Name box, type Update_Deployment.