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How Applications Certified for Windows 2000 Simplify Desktop Management

The Power Duo: Windows 2000 and Applications Certified for Windows 2000

What's on your applications management wish list? Fewer reboots? Roaming user support? Simplified install and uninstall?

Applications that have met the criteria to be certified for Windows� 2000 operating systems deliver these and other features by taking advantage of reliability and manageability improvements in Windows 2000. The result is well-behaved applications that require less administration and downtime, while providing more manageable configurations. This article explains how Windows 2000 and applications certified for Windows 2000 work together to increase desktop reliability and improve user and resource administration.

The Making of a Certified Application

To be certified for Windows, applications must comply with the Application Specification for Windows 2000. The Application Specification for Windows 2000 was developed by Microsoft in cooperation with customers and third party developers to provide clear, concise guidelines to help developers create reliable and manageable applications. The Application Specification for Windows 2000 has two versions: a core specification for desktop applications, and a more comprehensive specification for distributed applications.

Windows 2000 Professional

To be classified as a certified application for Windows 2000 Professional, applications must:

Provide a robust, self-repairing installation that helps minimize dynamic-link library conflicts.

Improved software deployment and management.

Maintain user settings, enabling roaming users and multiple users per machine.

Run in a secure, locked down Windows environment.

Use OnNow device power management for mobile computing.

Provide a consistent user experience, and support accessibility standards to reduce support and training costs.

Have the ability to upgrade from previous versions of Windows 9x to Windows 2000 Professional.

Windows 2000 Server

To be classified as a certified application for Windows 2000 Server, applications must provide the same benefits of a desktop (client) application, plus:

	Support a globally available management infrastructure using the Active Directory^TM services.
	Provide secure access to system-wide resources and security, such as Single Sign-On (SSO) for user and administrator interactions.
	Improve management of power transitions, including pending shutdown scenarios when running on battery backup.
	Reduce service downtime caused by system failures or planned server maintenance and upgrades by exploiting Cluster services (for applications that comply with Windows 2000 Advanced Server requirements).

Why Use Certified Applications?

Certified applications offer:

	Better application performance. Certified applications are designed to be more reliable and available, virtually eliminating reboots and providing superior speed and performance. Better behaved software improves desktop reliability.
	Roaming and multiple user support. Certified applications separate user and machine settings for roaming and multiple user experiences. This is especially important in today's business environment, where users roam, many users share machines, or a single user logs on to several different machines. Certified applications allow users to be more productive by sharing multiple machines, and providing access to shared resources quickly and easily.
	Adherence to group policy. Certified applications check and adhere to group policy when taking actions that change desktop makeup. For example, reconfiguring network settings can be controlled by policy.
	Integrated security. Certified applications have security settings that are easy to manage and provide a simplified authentication process. Clients and services use integrated security.
	Easier management. Certified applications use Active Directory as the information source for security, policy, and addresses for machines and users. This provides simplified user and computer settings, and automation of system administrator tasks, to reduce the time spent configuring and managing systems.
	Clean install and uninstall. Certified applications install in a simple and predictable fashion, without damaging desktop configurations. Uninstalls are easy to perform and are also designed not to harm other applications or desktop settings. (Windows 2000 provides a list of core system files that should remain after uninstall).

Certified applications can help your organization maximize its Windows 2000 investment by taking advantage of Windows 2000 technologies and features such as Windows Installer, IntelliMirror^TM management technologies, and Active Directory.

How to Find Applications Certified for Windows 2000

The Directory of Windows 2000 Applications will be the place to find applications that have been Certified for Windows 2000. Check the Directory frequently for updates to ensure your organization has access to the best that Windows has to offer�applications that are Certified for Windows 2000. If you don't see the product you're interested in, contact your software vendor to find out if and when they plan to develop a version of their product that is Certified for Windows 2000.

How Applications Certified for Windows 2000 Simplify Desktop Management

The Power Duo: Windows 2000 and Applications Certified for Windows 2000

The Making of a Certified Application

Why Use Certified Applications?

How to Find Applications Certified for Windows 2000

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