Hello SevenForum. I want to change Windows Longhorn's kernel from build 4074 to 2600 (Windows XP). I tried to follow this tutorial but its explanation is complicated. Can someone clearly step-by-step explain that guide to me on how to do this? The only thing i need is to completely and properly understand the guide.
(Link: View topic - Guide: Changing Longhorn's major, minor and build number - BetaArchive)
What are you modifying? Vista, 7, XP, or 2008 64-bit? If you read the thread they never got it to work in XP 64-bit due to the different version number, and another post seems to indicate that this doesn't work in Vista. I'm confused by that thread myself, I don't see the point in doing that, and I would not do that in a live environment. I might do it in a virtual machine with a snapshot in case something goes wrong. Perhaps you should join that forum and ask your questions there.
Like I said, Im modifying Windows Longhorn Build 4074's kernel (Build 4074 is 32bit by the way). Longhorn Builds are beta versions of Windows Vista. The trick here is, when you change the kernel number from 4074 (or any build) to 2600 (Windows XP 32bit) you can run any kind of XP programs and drivers. I found the guide really confusing. Its not properly explained or I just dont have enough experience to understand. If you ever ask me why Im doing this, Im just doing this for fun.
The thread is off to replies and the guy who started that thread is offline for 1 or 2 year and there is no Gmail or Discord link given :/. BetaArchive doesnt let you PM people too! This sucks..
Thanks for the reply.
Well you get a hex editor, you edit the specified file, find the specified value, and change it to another specified value. I haven't done this myself. How did you get a copy of longhorn?
You can download builds of longhorn from Winworld PC website. You can also find builds of Whistler and rtms of operating systems older that Windows XP. The part I am confused is the Step 4-5. He says there is some numbers we have to change on the left but I dont see any related numbers. What does he mean by that?
Sorry but I'm not sure because I don't do hex editing. Maybe someone else here will chime in or if you add to that thread perhaps someone will reply. As for running those beta versions I wouldn't do anything sensitive in them since they are likely hacked. M$ has a history of expiring the use of those versions so if you are able to use it then likely someone hacked it to remove that expiration. Who knows what else they changed.
Step 4 (of the Guide) is a bit puzzling (ie no picture).
Also claim " This will solve many compatibility issues" is a bit dubious. For a start, Windows driver model changed between Xp and Vista (longhorn).
Secondly there are safer ways of ensuring program compatibility by using Compatibility Mode or Compatibility Troubleshooter built into each version of Windows.
Finally, if you change the version id, then it follows that you will not be able to install Vista programs and drivers.
I tried Compability modes but they dont properly work. XP drivers and programs arent much problem. If they work properly then i will be fine with it. I also would like to point again that whatever im trying to do is not serious. Im just playing and messing with longhorn.
Thanks for your reply.
You can easily remove timebomb with "tweakNT". Its just a program that edits and removes timebomb. I also dont think that people are that evil to put malicious stuff into these longhorn builds. I mean, there is not much people talking or messing with longhorn. Just look at that thread i have link in the start of this thread. That particular thread it the ONLY thread about changing longhorns kernel. I also dont remember they have removed timebombs or something edited in those shared builds, since im using modified ones.
Thank you for your reply and interest.
Vista was in the very early stages of development at that time. This was before Microsoft threw the entire project out and started over. That wasn't even the beta stage. The final product was based on 2003 whereas longhorn is based on XP. Even the Vista RTM had issues and that was the first version available for sale on the market. You should expect issues and I suspect that changing the build number could cause even more. Don't expect anywhere near the capability or stability of Vista or 2008. For reference here is the history of Vista development. Development of Windows Vista - Wikipedia
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