The Microsoft Platform Ready (MPR) Test Tool is a fully automated, wizard-style diagnostic program designed to test software applications for technical compatibility and compliance with Microsoft technologies and operating systems. It was primarily created to help developers and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) achieve official certified status within the Microsoft Platform Ready partnership programs. Core Functionality
The tool acts as a validation engine that implements technical checks dictated by the Microsoft Platform Ready Test Requirements Criteria. Depending on the environment where the tool is deployed, it dynamically adapts to check for specific competencies.
It conducts automated compatibility testing across several critical system layers:
Windows Installer: Validates correct deployment, packaging, and clean uninstallation routines.
Setup and Primary Functionality: Ensures the application executes safely and triggers standard behavior.
Drivers and Security: Scans for potential vulnerability risks and proper kernel-level integration.
Best Practices: Confirms the software follows modern development rules and avoids deprecated system APIs. Target Use Cases
Application Certification: Passing these tests is an official prerequisite to qualify for historical validation achievements, such as the Windows Server Application Certification.
DevOps Integration: Microsoft highly encourages developers to integrate the MPR tool into continuous software builds to catch environment errors early.
Enterprise Evaluation: Corporate IT departments use the tool to benchmark and evaluate third-party software before purchasing and deploying Line of Business (LOB) apps. Supported Platforms & Architecture
The tool is built to validate applications running on specific enterprise infrastructure configurations:
Operating Systems: Legacy support covers Windows 7, Windows ⁄8.1, and Windows Server 2008 R2 through Windows Server 2016.
Server Core Configurations: It features a lightweight console version (MPRConsole.exe) to execute inside automated command-line environments without a graphical user interface.
Nano Server Configurations: It allows remote multi-machine targeting to test applications running inside minimal, isolated cloud deployment nodes.
(Note: If you are looking to certify modern Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps or Desktop Bridge software for the modern store, Microsoft now points developers toward the Windows App Certification Kit).
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