With the imminent (Release to Manufacturing) RTM of Windows Vista at the end of 2006, it is prudent for software vendors and enthusiasts to start testing their applications for compatibility with the new OS. Microsoft has released a whitepaper highlighting a cookbook of steps to help guide software developers through the process of ensuring that their applications continue to flawlessly work on Vista:
The Windows Vista Developer Story: Application Compatibility Cookbook
Though the effort to retain backward compatibility for most applications is evident, the cookbook mentions potential gotcha's in the following areas:
Also in the whitepaper are mitigation steps to help reduce or eliminate any potential impact. It's better to address these potential app-compatibility issues now before end-users complain that their favorite can't-do-without apps no longer work with the new OS.