Software Certified for Windows Vista

Earlier this month, I wrote that Ad-Aware 2007 is not Windows Vista compatible. Based on some of the posts in the Lavasoft and other forums, I can certainly see why Ad-Aware 2007 has not earned Vista certification. Had the many people who have had serious problems with their computer paid attention to that lack of certification, perhaps there would be significantly fewer cases of Windows Vista users having suffered major problems with their computers after installing the software.
So, what does it mean to be certified for Windows Vista? How does a person know if a software they wish to install is compatible with Windows Vista? Ben Reed, a Manager in the Windows Vista Team, recorded a video to answer those questions and to illustrate the simplicity of installing software that is Certified for Windows Vista.
There are four key areas where certified applications shine. They include: security, reliability, performance and compatibility.

1. Security -- The applications meet privacy standards set forth by the Anti-Spyware Coalition. They are fully tested to ensure they do not contain any spyware or malware. The applications fully integrate with Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC), meaning the applications no longer need admin rights to run.
   
2. Performance -- Certified applications integrate with Windows error reports, making trouble-shooting the software, and improving the long-term user experience with the software.
   
3. Reliability -- The software supports the MSI package for installing reliably and cleanly, reducing the necessity for unnecessary reboots.
   
4. Compatibility -- The software must past tests for compatibility with both Windows Vista 32 and 64 bit.

The areas above are just a part of the testing for a software to be determined Certified for Windows Vista. All in all there are 32 tests conducted by third party companies and over 800 software programs that have achieved the requisite standards.
Watch the video as Ben demonstrates the simplicity of installing a software certified for Windows Vista.