Windows 7 White Papers
Note: For the most current and complete information about Windows 7 for developers, see the Windows 7 Developer Guide.
The following white papers provide technical insight into Windows 7 technologies. These papers were delivered at PDC'08. They are pre-Beta material and are subject to change.
A Win32 API for Open Packaging Conventions Files
Overview of the Win32 implementation of the Open Packaging Conventions (OPC) API for custom container files in the Office Open XML File Formats ECMA-376 standard.
Compressed Audio Formats in Windows 7
This white paper provides information about the structures used by an application or a class driver to describe the format of an encoded audio stream to be transmitted over an IEC-61937-compatible interface.
Creating UI Automation Client Applications
Describes the basics of using Microsoft UI Automation to explore and interact with the user interface (UI) of other applications for purposes of accessibility and test automation.
Developer Enhancements to Windows for Touch and Tablet
Describes the new touch and tablet features in the Windows 7 operating system and the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system.
Direct 3D10 for Mainstream Applications
Provides information on Direct3D10, an end-to-end 3D graphics solution that enables developers to target a single API that works on a variety of software and hardware configurations. Significantly, this solution provides predictable rendering results across a breadth of configurations.
High Color in Windows 7
This paper provides information on various enhancements to the Windows desktop and graphics architecture to support High Color in the Windows 7 operating system. High Color provides the ability to use color depths beyond the traditional 8 bits, enabling a more vivid and sharp experience for imaging, video, and gaming applications.
Implementing Light-Aware UI Using the Windows Sensor and Location Platform
Covers the use of ambient light sensor data and how user interface features and program content can be optimized for many lighting conditions.
Improving Direct2D Performance
This paper focuses on techniques that can further enhance the performance of 2D applications. Direct2D can be used in multiple ways to accomplish a particular task. This paper highlights common performance enhancement techniques.
Introducing Direct2D
Introduces Microsoft Direct2D, a new API in the Windows 7. Direct2D provides Win32 developers with the ability to perform 2-D graphics rendering tasks with superior performance and visual quality.
Introducing DirectWrite
DirectWrite is a new addition to the DirectX family of APIs. DirectWrite uses OpenType fonts and ClearType rendering to enhance the text experience provided by Win32 applications. In this paper, you learn how to use the DirectWrite API to present text within your GDI and DirectX applications.
Introducing the Windows Sensor and Location Platform
Provides an overview of a new development platform from Microsoft that facilitates the use of sensors, including location sensors such as global positioning system (GPS) devices, in the Windows 7 operating system.
Protected User Mode Audio (PUMA) in Windows 7
Describes the updates to Protected User Mode Audio (PUMA), the user-mode audio engine in the Protected Environment (PE), which provides a safer environment for audio processing and rendering.
The Scenic Animation Platform provides a COM API that is designed to simplify the development and maintenance of UI animation and help developers implement UI animations that are consistent and smooth.
Scenic Ribbon Fundamentals
Introduces Windows Scenic, a collection of new user interface APIs for Win32 applications, and the Scenic Ribbon platform, a new UI command system built with Windows Scenic.
Scenic Ribbon Markup
Introduces the XAML-based markup language for Scenic Ribbon applications and the compiler that parses the markup file to generate a Win32 binary resource.
Stream Attenuation in Windows 7
With Windows 7, the user can select a default communication device and also experience stream attenuation when a phone call is received on the PC. This paper describes the Core Audio SDK APIs that you can use to customize the stream attenuation experience in your communication application.
UI Automation for W3C ARIA Specifications
Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) is a World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) technical specification for developing Web content and applications so that they are accessible to people with disabilities.
Using the IAccessibleEx Interface to Add UI Automation to Existing Microsoft Active Accessibility Servers
The IAccessibleEx interface helps existing applications extend their Microsoft Active Accessibility implementations to support UI Automation without rewriting everything from scratch. This white paper explains the IAccessibleEx interface, design considerations, and example scenarios for application developers.
Windows 7: Reach Out and Touch It!
This paper describes usability findings you should consider when building rich, immersive, and captivating experiences with multitouch Windows 7 applications.
Windows Imaging Component Codec Guidelines for Camera RAW Image Formats
Describes Microsoft Windows Imaging Component (WIC) codec guidelines for camera RAW image formats.
Writing DPI-Aware Win32 Applications
This paper shows how to use the high-DPI features in Windows to make your UI more consistent, attractive, and readable.
XPS Document API in Windows 7
This white paper is an overview of the XPS document format and the XPS Document API in the Windows 7 operating system. It demonstrates how to use this API to build an XPS document.