Currently, Microsoft supports a variety of graphics formats in their Windows Imaging Component which provides a framework for working with images and image metadata. The standard image formats are TIFF, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, ICO and HDPhoto. A single, consistent set of interfaces is used for all image processing, regardless of image format, so any application using the WIC gets automatic support for new image formats as soon as the codec is installed. The extensible metadata framework makes it possible for applications to read and write their own proprietary metadata directly to image files, so the metadata never gets lost or separated from the image.

Visual Integrity outputs: TIFF, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP

In the Microsoft Developers Network, the following formats have been declared legacy formats. They are obsolete and should not be used in new applications.

  • GDI
  • GDI+
  • Monitor Configuration
  • OpenGL
  • Picture Acquisition
  • Windows Color System
  • WPF Bitmap Effects