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Announcing the Windows Logo Kit 1.6 Release The Windows Logo Kit (WLK) 1.6 has been released! It is available through the Microsoft Connect website: https://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=668. WLK 1.6 will become a required kit for logo submissions effective June 1, 2011. Until that date, partners can choose to use either WLK 1.5 or WLK 1.6 for logo submissions. WLK 1.5 expires on May 31, 2011 at 11:59:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time. Obtaining a logo for Windows XP can only be done using WLK 1.5. However, partners can obtain a driver signature for Windows XP by submitting through the "Unclassified" program in WLK 1.6. Drivers submitted through the Windows XP Unclassified category are eligible to go on Windows Update. For more information, see http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/whql/resources/news/whqlnews_120710.html. Partners are required to use Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to test their submissions five months after the RTM of the service pack.
Update: Windows Vista Software Logo Programs Closing The Certified for Windows Vista Software Logo Program and Works with Windows Vista Software Logo Program will stop accepting new submissions for certification on April 1, 2011. Any Windows Vista submissions left pending in the Winqual system will be terminated on May 2, 2011. Any application that has achieved the Certified for Windows Vista Software Logo or the Works with Windows Vista Software Logo status prior to May 2, 2011 can continue to use the appropriate artwork in the product and its packaging for the life of the product per the terms set forth in the licensing agreements. With the closing of the Vista Software Logo Programs, the Windows 7 Software Logo Program becomes the sole Windows client software logo certification program. For more information on the Windows 7 Software Logo Program, please visit our MSDN site at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd203105.aspx.
Winqual Account Holders Must Link Account to a Windows Live ID As of February 11, the Winqual website supports Windows Live IDs. To use the site, you must link your existing Winqual account to your Windows Live ID. The following best practices for Live ID usage on Winqual ensure a consistent experience across MSDN, Connect, and Winqual: - When possible, use your work email address for the Live ID you use to sign in to Winqual. This will streamline the user information when you set up your Winqual account.
- If you use a Live ID with the Microsoft Connect or MSDN sites, use the same Live ID for Winqual. This will allow you to move seamlessly among these sites, without the need to sign in again.
- If you already have a Winqual account (Winqual username/password), use the migration link to migrate your Winqual account to Live ID authentication. This will ensure that the permissions and settings you have through your Winqual account will persist after the migration. From then on, you must use your Live ID to sign in; you will no longer use Winqual credentials to sign in.
Note: A single Winqual account can have only one Live ID. You can sign up for a Live ID by going to www.Live.com, or by clicking the Sign In link on the Winqual site after the February release. Winqual recommends that users have their own Live ID and Winqual account.
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