How to obtain the latest Windows Vista application compatibility update
| Article ID | : | 953960 |
| Last Review | : | July 3, 2008 |
| Revision | : | 1.0 |
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INTRODUCTION
Note Windows Vista application compatibility updates are cumulative. Each update contains all the improvements that were included in the previous application compatibility updates.
To immediately install the latest application compatibility update, click Start
, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update. In the navigation pane, click Check for updates, and then follow the steps to install all recommended updates.
Back to the topMORE INFORMATION
How to obtain the latest Windows Vista application compatibility update
To obtain the latest Windows Vista application compatibility update, use one of the following methods.
Method 1: Enable automatic updates (recommended)
Enable the automatic updates feature in Windows Vista. This is the recommended method to receive the latest updates. This method helps make sure that you always receive the latest updates.
To enable the automatic updates feature, follow these steps:
| 1. | Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update. |
| 2. | In the navigation pane, click Change settings. |
| 3. | Select the Windows automatic updates setting that you want. |
| 4. | Click to select the Include recommended updates when downloading, installing, or notifying me about updates check box, and then click OK.
|
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.Method 2: Check for updates on Windows Update
Instead of receiving updates automatically, you can manually check for updates through Windows Update. To do this, follow these steps:
| 1. | Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Windows Update. |
| 2. | In the navigation pane, click Check for updates. |
| 3. | After Windows Update has finished checking for updates, click View available updates. |
| 4. | Click to select the check boxes for the updates that you want to install, and then click Install.
|
Method 3: Download the Windows Vista application compatibility update from the Microsoft Download Center
The following files are available for download from the MicrosoftDownload Center:
Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=8C188627-767A-451F-9C0C-79F2FEC4E3F6&displaylang=en)Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=7872AD8E-BB96-4F5D-AE0F-F982BABF7FB9&displaylang=en)Download the Update for Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=63005D06-6578-4C1C-A351-FADDA2EDDF96&displaylang=en)Download the Update for Windows Vista package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=49AA7826-8543-4F24-8F88-46E454DF3063&displaylang=en)Download the Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems package now. (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=9554B1DC-5271-41D1-884F-AD0E58BED4F8&displaylang=en)
Release Date: May 2008
For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
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Issues that are resolved by Windows Vista application compatibility updates
Windows Vista application compatibility updates resolve the following issues that you may experience when you try to install and run certain legacy games or applications in Windows Vista:
| • | The game, the application, or the firmware is installed incorrectly. |
| • | The game, the application, or the firmware causes system instability. |
| • | The primary functions of the game, of the application, or of the firmware do not work correctly. |
Changes in application behavior after you install the latest Windows Vista application compatibility update
After you install the latest Windows Vista application compatibility update, this update controls the behavior of certain applications to improve the performance of Windows Vista. The Windows Vista application compatibility update uses the following methods to control the behavior of applications:
| • | Hard block
This method applies a hard block on the application. A hard block prevents an application that is incompatible with Windows Vista from running on the computer. Note Microsoft applies hard blocks only on a non-Microsoft application when the manufacturer of the application gives its consent. |
| • | Soft block
This method applies a soft block on the application. A soft block provides notification when an application that is incompatible with Windows Vista starts to run. |
| • | Shim update
This method improves the performance of an application in Windows Vista. |
The following table shows all the applications that are included in the latest Windows Vista application compatibility update and the behavior of the applications after you install the update.
Applications that are included in the May 2008 update
| Application | Behavior | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The following builds of Webroot Spy Sweeper Consumer:
|
Hard blocked | ||||||
The following builds of Webroot Spy Sweeper Consumer Enterprise:
|
Hard blocked | ||||||
| RealVNC Ltd VNC Server Personal Edition 4 | Updated to improve performance | ||||||
| Microsoft Zune Software | Hard blocked when you upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista | ||||||
| Microsoft Games Explorer | Updated to improve performance | ||||||
| Sony Picture Package versions 1.0 through 1.8.1 | Hard blocked |
Applications that are included in the December 2007 update
| Application | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Adobe Acrobat Reader versions 7.0 through 7.07 | Soft blocked |
| WinAntivirus Pro 2007 v5.0.356 | Soft blocked |
| Webroot Software Spy Sweeper 5.0 | Hard blocked |
| Omniquad Total Security 2.0.3.0 | Hard blocked |
| Windows Internet Explorer 7 | Updated to improve functionality |
Applications that are included in the July 2007 update
| Application | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Deterministic Network Extender (DNE) Driver version 3.12.2 | Not available |
| Justsystems Ichitaro 2006 | Not available |
| Microsoft Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Expansion Pack | Not available |
| Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 | Not available |
| Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) | Not available |
| Speedbit Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) 8.1.5.6 | Not available |
| WinRaR versions 3.5 through 3.7 | Not available |
| Yahoo AutoUpdater 8.1.0.249 | Not available |
Applications that are included in the March 2007 update
| Application | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Lenovo Presentation Director 1.0.0.1 | Not available |
| ACDSee 8 | Not available |
| Trend Micro Internet Security 2006 (PC-cillin) versions 14.0 through 14.59 | Not available |
| Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 (PC-cillin) versions 15.0 through 15.19 | Not available |
| Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Administration Tools Pack | Not available |
| RealNetworks RealPlayer 6.0.12 | Not available |
| AOL Safety and Security Center 2.5.4.1 | Not available |
| Toshiba Tecra M7 1.70 | Not available |
Applications that are included in the January 2007 update
| Application | Behavior |
|---|---|
| IBM Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore 3.00 | Not available |
| Rosetta Stone 2.1.3 | Not available |
| MS Encarta Standard 2007 | Not available |
| Family Feud Online | Not available |
| Crystal Player Professional 1.97 | Not available |
| Photoshop 7.0.1 | Not available |
| Total Commander 6.55 | Not available |
| Sony FeliCa Port (PaSoRi) 3.0.0.0 | Not available |
| Label Mighty 6 | Not available |
| AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5.0.47 | Not available |
| Lego Star Wars | Not available |
| HD Tach 3 | Not available |
| Adobe Photoshop Elements Version 4.0 | Not available |
| Digital Zenkoku Map Townpage Database 7 | Not available |
| Auslogics Disk 1.0.3 | Not available |
| EasyRecovery Professional Version 6.04 | Not available |
| Microsoft Money 2005 Microsoft Money 2006 | Not available |
| SmartInstall 2.16 | Not available |
| Adobe Create Suite CS2 | Not available |
| Jv16 Power Tools | Not available |
| SG TCP Optimizer 2.0.3 | Not available |
| Cyber link Power Cinema 4.0 | Not available |
| Google desktop 4.2006.1008 | Not available |
| Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.5 | Not available |
| Premiere Elements 3 | Not available |
| Battlefield 2 Deluxe | Not available |
| Opera 9.02 | Not available |
| Palm Desktop 6.0 | Not available |
| Digital Image Suite 2006 | Not available |
| Flight Simulator X | Not available |
| SmartSuite Millennium Edition – Freelance Graphics 9.8 | Not available |
| LimeWire 4.12 | Not available |
| Point 5.3 | Not available |
| BitVise Tunnelier 4.20 | Not available |
| Java Control Panel | Not available |
| ACDSee 8 | Not available |
| Azureus 1.0 | Not available |
| HD Tune 2.5.1 | Not available |
| BeatJam 2006 SE | Not available |
| ICHITARO 2006 | Not available |
| Adobe Photoshop CS 8.0 | Not available |
| Arcsoft Photo Impression 5 | Not available |
| J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 9 | Not available |
| AOL 9.0 – x64 DevStudio 9.0 | Not available |
| The Weather Channel Desktop 5.0.1 | Not available |
| Absolute Poker Version 5.7 | Not available |
| BitLord 1.1.5.6 | Not available |
| RealPlayer 6.0.12.1700 | Not available |
| Speedfan 4.31 | Not available |
| Delphi 7 Professional | Not available |
| TweakNow PowerPack 2006 | Not available |
| Office 2003 Web Folders | Not available |
| Outlook 2003 | Not available |
| Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5 Plus | Not available |
| Virtual CD 8 | Not available |
| Fireworks MX2004 7.0.2.295 | Not available |
| Doranet Kids Nyugaku Jyunbi Taikenban | Not available |
| Doranet Shogaku Ichinensei Taikenban | Not available |
| Minna de TV Denwa Starter | Not available |
| Power Utility – Remote administration 3.1.0.0 | Not available |
| MotionDV STUDIO 5.8J for FUJITSU OmniPass 1.0.0.1 | Not available |
| Minna de TV Phone Starter 2.1.0.1 | Not available |
| ColdFusion MX 7 Enterprise Edition | Not available |
| Age of Empires III | Not available |
| Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs Expansion Pack | Not available |
| Zoo Tycoon 2 | Not available |
| Zoo Tycoon 2: African Adventure Expansion Pack | Not available |
| Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species Expansion Pack | Not available |
| Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania Expansion Pack | Not available |
| Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection Expansion Pack | Not available |
| Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends | Not available |
| Fable: The Lost Chapters | Not available |
| Dungeon Siege II | Not available |
| Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna | Not available |
For more information about the previously released Windows Vista application compatibility updates, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
How to troubleshoot application compatibility issues that are not resolved by the latest Windows Vista application compatibility update
After you install the latest Windows Vista application compatibility update, you may still experience application compatibility issues. To resolve these issues, use one or more of the following troubleshooting options in the order in which they are presented:
| • | Restart the computer after you install the Windows Vista application compatibility update to allow for any additional process to be completed and for drivers to be loaded correctly. If the program still does not work, go to the next option. | ||||||||
| • | Run the program in compatibility mode. When you select the compatibility mode option, Windows Vista emulates the selected operating system when you run that particular program. To run the program in compatibility mode, follow these steps:
If the program still does not work correctly, go to the next option. |
||||||||
| • | Contact the program vendor or hardware manufacturer. If a program does not run in Windows Vista, or if a piece of hardware does not function as expected after you install Windows Vista, contact the program vendor or the hardware manufacturer for guidance about how to troubleshoot the issue. Typically, the software vendor Web site provides a support section that includes more information about compatibility.
Frequently, the software vendor provides one of the following resolutions to resolve compatibility issues:
|
For information about how to contact hardware and software vendors, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.
APPLIES TO
| • | Windows Vista Ultimate |
| • | Windows Vista Enterprise |
| • | Windows Vista Business |
| • | Windows Vista Home Premium |
| • | Windows Vista Home Basic |
| • | Windows Vista Starter |
| • | Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition |
| • | Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition |
| • | Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition |
| • | Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition |
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