As companies keep their existing hardware and operating systems for more years than ever before, the need to diagnose and repair problems is becoming ever more important for IT Pros and system administrators.

Whatever version of Windows youre using (including Windows 10) youll likely need to maintain compatibility with older software that the company must use for mission-critical operations, or older hardware thats required for specific purposes, but you dont want to sacrifice security for the sake of compatibility. In this briefbook youll learn how to maintain optimal compatibility with the older software and devices that you need to use.

The authors are well-versed in training in classrooms and video, with Andrew Bettany running the IT Academy at the University of York, and IT Masterclasses and Mike Halsey being a teacher, tech-book author, and having produced many tutorial videos under the brand PC Support.tv.

Andrew Bettany is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), recognized for his Windows expertise, and a member of the Microsoft Springboard Technical Expert Panel.As leader of the IT Academy at the University of York, UK and Microsoft Certified Trainer, Andrew delivers learning and consultancy to businesses on a number of technical areas including Windows deployment and troubleshooting. He has created and manages the "IT Masterclasses" series of short intensive technical courses, www.itmasterclasses.com, run through his own training company Deliver IT Training Ltd.Passionate about learning and helping others he frequently donates his time to work with Microsoft. He is a frequent speaker and proctor at TechEd conferences worldwide. In 2011 he delivered a "train the trainer" class in earthquake-hit Haiti to help the community rebuild their technology skills and returned again in November 2013 to deliver a second bootcamp.Very active on social media, Andrew can be found on LinkedIn Facebook and Twitter. He lives in a village just outside of the beautiful city of York in Yorkshire (UK).

Chapter 1: All About Compatibility

Chapter 2: Common Software Compatibility Issues

Chapter 3: Common Hardware Compatibility Issues

Chapter 4: Resolving Software Compatibility Issues

Chapter 5: Resolving Hardware Compatibility Issues

Chapter 6: External Factors That Affect Hardware