With the release of the Windows Developer Preview in September, many developers and IT pros were given their first taste of Windows 8. It uses the familiar credential provider framework to handle logons, adding a couple of new options, namely PIN mode, Picture Password Mode and Windows Live Authentication, as well as a pretty new lock screen. Since it’s a new take on an existing technology, people have been asking us if the AuthAnvil Credential Provider will work with Windows 8. The answer? It’ll work, but there are a couple of gotchas in the installation process, and it is not a one of our officially supported platforms yet, so install at your own risk.
That being said, here’s what you need to know.
First, the Gotchas for this process are the following:
- The Credential Provider does not support PIN and Picture Password Modes. Password mode works properly, and if you log on using a Windows Live credential, you can log on, but you will need to log on using the username that you initially created your account with.
- Cached Credentials work as long as you remember to log on a DOMAIN\Username or MACHINENAME\Username, rather than .\Username. If you log on as .\Username, the Credential Provider will not store the cached credentials properly.
- The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 feature must be enabled before you install the Credential Provider, otherwise the Override and Uninstall passwords will not be set. You can do this in Classic Desktop > Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off, and enable the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 feature. You do not have to enable any of the sub-features.
Aside from those, the install process for the Credential Provider on the Developer Preview is the same as on previous versions of Windows. Don’t forget to enable safe mode in case you get in trouble.
And the end result. Have fun!
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