Windows 7 Backward Compatibility Update Available

[A Guy]

Customers running the latest Windows client and server operating systems from Microsoft can download an update designed to advance the backward compatibility feature of the two platforms. the Redmond company is offering the refresh in order to ensure that both Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2 play nice with older applications, designed for the OS that preceded the latest releases, namely Windows Vista.

“The backward compatibility feature in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2 detects the manifest in a DLL and sets the dynamic context of a DLL to Windows 7 or to Windows Vista. This enables Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 to provide a Windows Vista context for applications that are designed for earlier versions of Windows,” Microsoft stated.

Source

Description of an update to the backward compatibility feature in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2

A Guy

 

[severedsolo]

Thanks for sharing A Guy

Just to clarify: In laymans terms, at the moment if a non Win 7 compatible application doesn't specifically say its only compatible with (for example XP) Windows 7 will assume that it is Windows 7 compatible and try to run it as such. This fix gets around that. (or thats how I understand it from looking at the article)

 

[johnwillyums]

That's the way it reads to me SS. Do we need this? I don't appear to be having any issues. J

 

[severedsolo]

I can see the use of it. Installing Vista drivers for instance. Sometimes when you run a Vista driver setup program WIndows 7 doesnt report itself as "Vista" and you get XP drivers (which dont work) I guess this fix will make it report itself as Vista instead rather than having to do compatibility mode?

 

[johnwillyums]

So, have you......?

 

[severedsolo]

I installed it yeah I figured it cant do any harm. So far so good, but I havent tested it with any known compatibility issues yet.

Ill install my phone drivers and see what happens, after I've finished making my system image

Update *sigh* didn't work. It tried to run Driversetup instead of Driversetup64

 

[A Guy]

Yeah, it basically says if you don't have issues, you don't need it. But since much of what we do here is issues, I figured for some, it may be worth a shot

A Guy

 

[johnwillyums]

Just went through the WGA validation procedure and downloaded the update. When I tried to install I already had it. Must have come in Windows update.

 

[alphanumeric]

Just went through the WGA validation procedure and downloaded the update. When I tried to install I already had it. Must have come in Windows update.

Same deal here, was installed on 6/23/2010. It's listed as "Recommended" in my update history so I would say that your windows update settings will determine if it installs automatically or not.

 

[A Guy]

OK, you made me try it Mine just said the update isn't applicable to my computer...ok. A Guy

 

[alphanumeric]

@ A Guy, did you download the correct version? Just for fun I double double clicked the x86 version and I got that message. If I double click the x64 version I get an already installed message. Like you I'm running Home Premium x64.

 

[A Guy]

@ A Guy, did you download the correct version? Just for fun I double double clicked the x86 version and I got that message. If I double click the x64 version I get an already installed message. Like you I'm running Home Premium x64.

Yes, I tried the x64. Not worried, as personally, I consider myself backwards compatible

A Guy

 

[severedsolo]

@ A Guy, did you download the correct version? Just for fun I double double clicked the x86 version and I got that message. If I double click the x64 version I get an already installed message. Like you I'm running Home Premium x64.

Yes, I tried the x64. Not worried, as personally, I consider myself backwards compatible

A Guy

:roflmao: That can so be taken the wrong way.

Shame it didn't fix my one issue with compatibility still I can see the use if it actually works though.