Windows Logo Program for Server Applications: Overview

Updated: February 15, 2013

The Windows Server Application Certification Program has evolved into a unified, fully automated, free self-test program. The "Works with" and "Certified for" Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo programs are unified, with greater emphasis on the Compatibility and Security pillars of quality for Windows Server 2012.

There is no fee for application testing. Successfully passing the Windows Server 2012 application test instantly qualifies you for the Certified for Windows Server 2012 Logo and admission into the Windows Server Marketplace.

Use the Windows Server 2012 Application Certification Requirements

If you are developing new Windows Server applications or updating current applications, start using the Logo Requirements for Windows Server Application Certification Program to help ensure your products are compatible and secure on Windows Server 2012. Your products will be better prepared for logo submission if you design and build with these requirements in mind.

Technical requirements include tests for the following:

• Windows Installer best practices
• Setup and primary functionality tests
• Drivers and security
• Best practices

Profiling your server applications and achieving the Certified for Windows Server 2012 Logo is fully administered from within the Microsoft Platform Ready website.

Note: All application drivers must pass Windows Hardware Certification testing and be signed by Microsoft. See the new Windows Hardware Certification Requirements page for details.

 

Download the Requirements for Windows Server Application Certification Program.

Test your applications with the Microsoft Platform Ready Test Tool

The Microsoft Platform Ready Test Tool (MPR Test Tool) is designed to help improve compatibility of server applications on Windows Server 2012. The MPR Test Tool is a fully automated toolkit and supports running in the Full Shell, MinShell, and Server Core configurations. This tool can help identify possible compatibility and readiness issues during installation, functionality, and removal of applications.

Detailed reports of compatibility and system stability test results are generated by the MPR Test Tool so that further actions can be taken to remediate identified issues. Limited waivers may be available after all attempts to remediate failures have been exhausted. A waiver request document must be submitted to MPR support.

Microsoft strongly encourages incorporating the MPR Test Tool into the software build and test processes, thereby ensuring platform readiness before applications are released to market. The MPR Test Tool is also a recommended tool to test line of business applications and for evaluating server products for their platform compatibility before making purchasing decisions.

When running the MPR Test Tool on Server Core or MinShell installations, run the command-line version of the tool, MPRConsole.exe, located in the Program Files folder.

 

Download the Microsoft Platform Ready Test Tool.

 

Submit test results for Certified for Windows Server 2012 Logo

1. Use the MPR Test Tool to test your application.
• Fully test your application following instructions in the tool.
• Fix any failures in your application and pass the test.
2. Create a profile for your application on the Microsoft Platform Ready website.
• Navigate to the Microsoft Platform Ready website.
• Log in with your Live ID, create a profile for your application, and select Windows Server 2012 as a supported technology by your application.
• Make a note of your unique Application ID from the Test tab under Test My Apps.
3. Create a Test Results Package file using the MPR Test Tool.
• In the MPR Test Tool, select Reports and choose the option to create a Test Results Package file. (Only available on Windows Server 2012 Full Server and Windows 8 x64.)
• Enter the Application ID you made a note of in step 2, and then read, review, and sign the required agreements.
4. Upload the Test Results Package on the Microsoft Platform Ready website.
• Log in to the Microsoft Platform Ready website using the same Live ID you used in step 2.
• Go to your application’s dashboard, and select the Test My Apps workflow.
• Upload the Test Results Package file.
5. Verify a successful upload.
• Verify that your upload is successful from the messages displayed in the Test My Apps workflow. This can take several minutes after step 4.
• Test results that pass will unlock the Marketing tab and associated benefits including the logo.
• Applications that pass will be listed on the Windows Server Catalog website automatically.

Important Microsoft Partner options are available beyond Certification on the Microsoft Platform Ready dashboard by selecting Windows Server 2012, Test tab, Get Started.

Applications that have earned the Windows Server 2012 logo are compatible running on the following editions of Windows Server 2012: Datacenter, Standard, and Essentials¹.

 

Note: Visit the Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo Program website for details about the Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo programs.

Windows Server 2008 R2 Logo Program—Discontinued March 31, 2013.

Effective March 31, 2013, Windows Server 2008 R2 test submissions will no longer be accepted for Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) Competencies, Works with Logo, or Certified for Windows Server Logo.

Windows Server 2012 is the preferred platform for current Application Development Competencies and Certified for Windows Server Logo.

 

Resources

Windows Server Development

Microsoft Platform Ready website

Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 Compatibility Cookbook

TechNet Forum for Windows Server 2012

Microsoft Server and Cloud Platform

Windows Server Catalog

Driver Signing Guidelines for ISVs

Hardware Design and Development for Windows 8

Certification requirements for Windows 8 desktop applications

Certification requirements for Windows 8 applications

 

¹Some applications are not compatible with Windows Server 2012 Essentials.

Windows Server 2012 Essentials automatically installs certain server roles that are not installed by default in Windows Server 2012 Standard and Datacenter editions.  Applications with known compatibility issues with any of the server roles that are automatically installed may not be compatible with Windows Server 2012 Essentials.  Windows Server 2012 Essentials installs the server roles listed below by default.

• Active Directory Certificate Services²
• Active Directory Domain Services
• DNS Server
• File and Storage Services
• Network Policy and Access Services³
• Remote Desktop Services
• Web Server (IIS)

Additionally, applications that rely on server roles and features that do not exist on Windows Server 2012 Essentials are not compatible with that product and are listed below.

• Hyper-V
• Data Deduplication
• Failover Clustering
• Windows Server Update Services

²Limited to creating Certificate Authorities―there are no other Active Directory Certificate Services features (Network Device Enrollment Services, Online Responder Service). See ADCS role documentation on TechNet for more information.

³Limited to 50 RRAS connections, 10 IAS connections.