Introduction to the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) Version 5.6

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Vista

The Microsoft® Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.6 enables software developers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and IT professionals who work in a corporate environment to determine, before deployment within the organization, whether their applications are compatible with a new version of the Windows® operating system. ACT also enables such individuals to determine how an update to the new version will affect their applications.

You can use the ACT features to:

• Verify your application's, device's, and computer's compatibility with a new version of the Windows operating system, including determining your risk assessment.

• Verify a Windows update's compatibility, including determining your risk assessment.

• Become involved in the ACT Community, including sharing your application assessment with other ACT users.

• Test your applications for issues related to User Account Control (UAC) by using the Standard User Analyzer (SUA) tool.

• Test your Web applications and Web sites for compatibility with new releases and security updates to Windows Internet Explorer®, by using the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool.

In This Release

Topic Name	Description
Using the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT)	Includes in-depth information and procedures for use with the ACT, including configuring the ACT, collecting your data, analyzing your data, and testing and mitigating your compatibility issues. This section also includes walkthrough topics that provide step-by-step guidance for the top three ACT scenarios. These scenarios show you how to deploy a new operating system, apply a Windows update, and test and mitigate your issues by using the included development tools.
Application Compatibility Toolkit Technical Reference	Includes in-depth technical reference topics, written for the compatibility evaluators, the Microsoft® Application Compatibility Toolkit Data Collector (ACT-DC), the Microsoft Compatibility Exchange, the ACT Community, the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test Tool (IECTT), and the Standard User Analyzer (SUA) tool.
Customer Support and Documentation Resources	Includes references to additional product and documentation resources, such as applicable Web sites and product pages. It also includes customer support information, including Web sites and phone numbers for assistance.
Troubleshooting ACT	Includes topics that can help you solve issues that occur during ACT setup, and to help you solve possible issues due to running the User Account Control Compatibility Evaluator (UACCE), the Windows Compatibility Evaluator (WCE), and the Update Compatibility Evaluator (UCE).
Software and Hardware Requirements for ACT 5.6	Includes information about the supported software and hardware required to run the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) in your environment. This also includes special considerations that are required if you intend to use the UCE or the Compatibility Administrator tools.

In This Section

Topic Name	Description
What's New for ACT 5.6?	Includes information about the new features, functionality, and updated documentation included in the ACT 5.6 release.
Understanding the Application Compatibility Manager	Includes information about the various icons and screens available within the Application Compatibility Manager (ACM).
What Compatibility Evaluators are Available?	Includes information about each of the available compatibility evaluators.
What is an Assessment Rating?	Includes definitions for each of the available assessment ratings, including the associated icons.
What is Labeling?	Includes information about labeling your applications, including guidance and methodology.
Printing the Help Documentation	Provides instructions for printing the online Help documentation.