Abstract: Driver shimming techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an identification is made as to which interfaces and callbacks are utilized by a shim obtained for a driver of a computing device. The identified interfaces and callbacks are wrapped by the shim of the computing device such that calls to the wrapped interfaces and callbacks are intercepted by the shim.

Abstract: Application compatibility techniques are described. In one or more implementations, one or more computing devices of a service provider receive data from a plurality of client devices via a network, the data describing one or more attempts that were at least partially successful in resolving one or more incompatibilities in execution of one or more applications on respective computing devices. The data is mined based on one or more criteria to identify at least one of the applications and validated to confirm the at least partial success in the resolution of at least one of the incompatibilities for the identified application. Data is stored that describes validated successful resolution of the incompatibilities and an update is disseminated based at least on the stored data to resolve the incompatibilities.

Abstract: Device flag techniques are described. In one or more implementations, responsive to detection by a computing device that a device has been communicatively coupled to bus of the computing device, a database is queried by the computing device to determine whether one or more flags have been set for the device. Responsive to a determination made as a result of the querying that the one or more flags have been set for the device identifier, information associated with the one or more flags is communicated to software that is associated with the device to configure the software.

Abstract: Device flag techniques are described. In one or more implementations, responsive to detection by a computing device that a device has been communicatively coupled to bus of the computing device, a database is queried by the computing device to determine whether one or more flags have been set for the device. Responsive to a determination made as a result of the querying that the one or more flags have been set for the device identifier, information associated with the one or more flags is communicated to software that is associated with the device to configure the software.

Abstract: An application programming interface (API) that leverages operating system instrumentation to provide a chain of threads and processes may alleviate some debugging complications. Specifically, the chain may start with the first thread in the process that experienced the original failure and end with the last thread upon which the first thread directly or indirectly depends. The API may aid debugging efforts by classifying all threads related or dependent upon an original failed thread into specific categories of failures, requesting further information from the originating OS concerning specific failed threads, and using that information to debug the failed application or process more thoroughly.

Abstract: Device flag techniques are described. In one or more implementations, responsive to detection by a computing device that a device has been communicatively coupled to bus of the computing device, a database is queried by the computing device to determine whether one or more flags have been set for the device. Responsive to a determination made as a result of the querying that the one or more flags have been set for the device identifier, information associated with the one or more flags is communicated to software that is associated with the device to configure the software.

Abstract: Application compatibility techniques are described. In one or more implementations, one or more computing devices of a service provider receive data from a plurality of client devices via a network, the data describing one or more attempts that were at least partially successful in resolving one or more incompatibilities in execution of one or more applications on respective computing devices. The data is mined based on one or more criteria to identify at least one of the applications and validated to confirm the at least partial success in the resolution of at least one of the incompatibilities for the identified application. Data is stored that describes validated successful resolution of the incompatibilities and an update is disseminated based at least on the stored data to resolve the incompatibilities.

Abstract: Driver shimming techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an identification is made as to which interfaces and callbacks are utilized by a shim obtained for a driver of a computing device. The identified interfaces and callbacks are wrapped by the shim of the computing device such that calls to the wrapped interfaces and callbacks are intercepted by the shim.

Abstract: An application programming interface (API) that leverages operating system instrumentation to provide a chain of threads and processes may alleviate some debugging complications. Specifically, the chain may start with the first thread in the process that experienced the original failure and end with the last thread upon which the first thread directly or indirectly depends. The API may aid debugging efforts by classifying all threads related or dependent upon an original failed thread into specific categories of failures, requesting further information from the originating OS concerning specific failed threads, and using that information to debug the failed application or process more thoroughly.

Abstract: An application programming interface (API) that leverages operating system instrumentation to provide a chain of threads and processes may alleviate some debugging complications. Specifically, the chain may start with the first thread in the process that experienced the original failure and end with the last thread upon which the first thread directly or indirectly depends. The API may aid debugging efforts by classifying all threads related or dependent upon an original failed thread into specific categories of failures, requesting further information from the originating OS concerning specific failed threads, and using that information to debug the failed application or process more thoroughly.

Abstract: A method to globally place a feedback button in every dialog box, message box, and top-level window in every application and message box in an operating system to provide a user with the opportunity to provide feedback for the dialog box, message box, or top-level window. The system checks a setting to determine if and what type of box/window that a feedback button will be placed and if the setting is enabled, a feedback button with customizable text will be placed on the box/window when the box/window is displayed if the type of window being displayed matches the type specified as having a feedback button. The system loads a program file that provides instructions to the user on how to provide feedback to a developer or system administrator when the user selects the feedback button. Once the user enters feedback, this feedback is sent to wherever the program file designated the information to be sent.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering support tools to a computer user's machine, without requiring the user to directly download, install and/or execute the tools. A user in need of support contacts support and in response receives a URL corresponding to a manifest, which is a data file identifying support tools that a user's machine is to run to collect data for analysis. Via HTTP, a control mechanism on the user's machine interprets the manifest, automatically handling downloading and installation of any needed tool, and executes the tools on the machine with appropriate parameters that are present in the manifest. Data is collected, packaged and returned to a support entity, where it is analyzed such that a support solution may be returned to the user. The system and method provide efficient and consistent support to computer users, helping both support personnel while giving computer users a very straightforward support experience.

Abstract: A computer method for redirecting input messages to an application that has at least one window redirected is provided. The method intercepts input messages, determines if the input messages are directed at the redirected application, and transforms the input messages to correspond to the actual location of the window that has been redirected before the input message is redirected to the application that has had at least one of its windows redirected.

Abstract: A vertical can be a series of computer-executable instructions that, in response to an incident, collect information regarding that incident and transmit the information for analysis and possible helpful feedback to the user. A general purpose vertical can address types of incidents, such as crashes or hangs, across a variety of applications, while a custom vertical can be written to address application-specific incidents. Verticals can access underlying support mechanisms through an infrastructure, which can also enable applications to request that additional data be collected by the verticals, and set other preferences. Once the data is collected and transmitted, a vertical may receive feedback, that can be a request for additional information or feedback to the user. The feedback to the user can attempt to identify the incident and aid the user in recovering from it and avoiding it in the future.

Abstract: A computer method for patching applications that are incompatible with an operating system is provided. The method determines if an application is compatible with an operating system, and if the application is determined to be incompatible, a debugger is loaded that runs the incompatible application. The debugger calls a handler to patch the incompatibilities of the application when a breakpoint has been reached in the incompatible application during the running of the incompatible application.

Abstract: A method to globally place a feedback button in every dialog box, message box, and top-level window in every application and message box in an operating system to provide a user with the opportunity to provide feedback for the dialog box, message box, or top-level window. The system checks a setting to determine if and what type of box/window that a feedback button will be placed and if the setting is enabled, a feedback button with customizable text will be placed on the box/window when the box/window is displayed if the type of window being displayed matches the type specified as having a feedback button. The system loads a program file that provides instructions to the user on how to provide feedback to a developer or system administrator when the user selects the feedback button. Once the user enters feedback, this feedback is sent to wherever the program file designated the information to be sent.

Abstract: A computer method for patching applications that are incompatible with an operating system is provided. The method determines if an application is compatible with an operating system, and if the application is determined to be incompatible, a shim dynamic link library is loaded that replaces all of the incompatible functions contained within the application's dynamic link libraries.

Abstract: A computer method for redirecting input messages to an application that has at least one window redirected is provided. The method intercepts input messages, determines if the input messages are directed at the redirected application, and transforms the input messages to correspond to the actual location of the window that has been redirected before the input message is redirected to the application that has had at least one of its windows redirected.

Abstract: A computer method for redirecting input messages to an application that has at least one window redirected is provided. The method intercepts input messages, determines if the input messages are directed at the redirected application, and transforms the input messages to correspond to the actual location of the window that has been redirected before the input message is redirected to the application that has had at least one of its windows redirected.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided for creating and dynamically applying a custom application-compatibility fix. A custom database is created for an application that is incompatible with an operating system. The custom database is capable of storing an operating system-provided compatibility fix and an operating system-provided compatibility mode. The operating system-provided compatibility mode is a set of operating system-provided compatibility fixes. A request is received to launch an application. A determination is made as to whether or not there is a custom database for the application to be launched. If there is a custom database for the application to be launched, the operating system-provided compatibility fixes in the custom database are added to a list of compatibility fixes for the application. The listed compatibility fixes are dynamically applied to the requested application and the requested application is launched.