Difference between revisions of "Windows"
m (→DOS compatibility: Renamed section, added new Windows Compatibility Mode subsection + link) |
(→Non-unicode applications: Updated the whole section and added Locale Emulator) |
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− | ===Non- | + | ===Non-Unicode applications might not work properly=== |
− | {{ii}} This is most commonly issue with Japanese games and visual novels | + | {{ii}} This is most commonly an issue with Japanese games and visual novels, and may prevent a game from being installed, launched, or even work properly (may have scrambled text or bugs). |
− | {{ii}} | + | {{++}} Locale Emulator/Microsoft AppLocale runs the application with the correct localization without affecting the rest of the operating system. |
− | {{ | + | |
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Use Locale Emulator|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Developed primarily for Windows 10, although it is also compatible with both 7 and 8.1. | ||
+ | {{--}} Supports only 32-bit executables. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Instructions''' | ||
+ | # Download [https://pooi.moe/Locale-Emulator/ Locale Emulator] and extract the archive to where you want the application to be installed. | ||
+ | # Run {{file|LEInstaller.exe}} and select '''Install for current user'''. | ||
+ | # After the installation have finished, use {{file|LEGUI.exe}} to set up desired localization profiles. | ||
+ | # Finally, right-click on a 32-bit executable (or its shortcut) and select the desired profile under the '''Locale Emulator''' context menu. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
{{Fixbox|description=Use Microsoft AppLocale|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Use Microsoft AppLocale|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Might not work on modern versions of Windows as the tool have not been updated since 2004. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Instructions''' | ||
# Download Microsoft AppLocale [https://web.archive.org/web/20050115055602/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8c4e8e0d-45d1-4d9b-b7c0-8430c1ac89ab&displaylang=en here] and install it. | # Download Microsoft AppLocale [https://web.archive.org/web/20050115055602/http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8c4e8e0d-45d1-4d9b-b7c0-8430c1ac89ab&displaylang=en here] and install it. | ||
#* With Windows versions after XP installation will fail. Simply put installer to XP SP3 compatibility mode to continue. | #* With Windows versions after XP installation will fail. Simply put installer to XP SP3 compatibility mode to continue. | ||
− | # Open AppLocale follow instructions. It should automatically detect programs language. | + | # Open AppLocale follow instructions. It should automatically detect programs language. |
}} | }} | ||
− | {{Fixbox|description=Change non- | + | |
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Change non-Unicode language system-wide|ref=<ref>[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-system-locale Change the system locale - Windows Help]</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | {{ii}} Easiest way to fix the issue, but may introduce unwanted changes to other programs; especially if the display language of Windows is non-English. This includes some basic characters being incorrectly replaced, programs defaulting to set non-Unicode language and other programs suddenly not being able to launch or crash. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Instructions''' | ||
# Go to Control Panel, Clock, Language and Region and Regional and Language Options. | # Go to Control Panel, Clock, Language and Region and Regional and Language Options. | ||
− | # From Administrative tab change non-unicode language. | + | # From Administrative tab change non-unicode language to the country/localization the game originated from. |
# Restart computer for changes to take effect. | # Restart computer for changes to take effect. | ||
}} | }} |
Revision as of 21:48, 17 July 2018
Developers | |
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Microsoft | |
Release dates | |
Windows | November 20, 1985 |
Key points
- The most popular and widely supported family of operating system among PC gamers.
- Backward compatibility is high, with newer versions of the operating system capable of running decades old software with minimal issues.
- Have transitioned over to periodical major upgrades biannually since the introduction of Windows 10.
Resources
- Official support
- Windows 10 Update history
- Microsoft Update Catalog - Allows for manual download of updates or device drivers. See related KB article.
Communities
- Microsoft Community - Official community for everything related to Microsoft
- /r/windows10 - Subreddit dedicated to Windows 10
- /r/windows - Subreddit dedicated to Windows in general
General
Command Prompt
The Command Prompt is the command-line interpreter provided by Microsoft for Windows systems and is the not-as-powerful equivalent of the shell in Linux and Mac OS. It can be accessed by going to 'run' and typing 'cmd.exe' or by running a 'Batch file'.
Admin Command Prompt
Windows 8 and later |
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Task Manager
The Task Manager is an application built into Windows that allows for the managing running processes as well as providing information about computer performance.
It can be accessed by any of the following ways:
- Right-click on the taskbar of Windows and select Task Manager.
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Task Manager.
- Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc to open it directly.
Device Manager
The Device Manager is an application built into Windows that allows for the management of device drivers. It can be accessed from the Control Panel.
Registry Editor
The Registry Editor allows users to edit the Windows registry. It can be accessed by going to 'run' and typing 'Regedit.exe'.
Basic Editing |
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Advanced Search |
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Notes
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Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
A Blue Screen of Death (a.k.a BSOD or Bluescreen) is an error screen that Windows produces when it encounters an error that it cannot recover from.
DirectX
DirectX is a collection of APIs for Windows that allows programs to interact directly with hardware.
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework for Windows that is required for games built in .NET-aware languages (such as C# or Visual Basic), including those that use XNA. Different games may require different versions of .NET Framework. A list with download links to all versions may be found on MSDN. Windows 8 and 10 users may want to read this.
DLLs
DLL stands for "Dynamic Link Library". DLL files (.dll) are Windows exclusive library files containing code and data that can be used over several applications.
While they can save time for developers, these files can cause problems for the end-user (commonly referred to as "DLL Hell").
Issues unresolved
SafeDisc protection doesn't work with Windows 10
Previous Windows of versions included a compatible version of secdrv.sys
for the Macrovision safedisc DRM, but Windows 10 does not, rendering games requiring SafeDisc unplayable. According to a Microsoft representative "Safedisc is not supported on Windows 10" and people will have to wait for Macrovision to come out with an updated secdrv.sys.[1]
Screen recorders, overlays, injectors won't work with Windows Apps
See Windows Store article for this and other Windows Apps related issues.
Issues fixed
Alt F4 doesn't terminate frozen applications
Use SuperF4 |
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Older Games Missing .dll File on Windows Vista and later
- Some .dll files have different names on Windows Vista and later.
Copy DLL to folder |
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Older games refuse to start on Windows 8 and later
Install DirectPlay |
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Note: Normally Windows 8+ automatically detects if an application needs DirectPlay or other legacy components when it launches and prompts the user to install DirectPlay, but this requires a certain combination of services to be active such as the Diagnostic Policy Service which are sometimes disabled by the user. |
Force CPU affinity
- Prevents processes from using other CPU cores than the ones allowed, which can work around threading synchronization issues that might exist.
Provisional solution: Task manager |
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Notes
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Permanent solution: customized shortcut |
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Notes
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Permanent solution: flag game executable |
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Notes
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Use PsExec |
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Notes
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Use RunFirst |
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Notes
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4-Gigabyte Tuning
Windows XP and Server 2003 (x86 only): edit boot configuration file[2] |
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Windows Vista and later (x86 only): edit boot configuration database[3] |
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Notes |
Force IMAGE_FILE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE flag in executables |
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Notes
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Shoddy coded applications mess system-wide registry setting
Edit key ACL |
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Notes
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Codec hell
Reset DirectShow filters |
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Notes
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Missing codecs
Install ffdshow[7] |
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QuickTime for Windows is no more[citation needed] |
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Game files missing after upgrading or refreshing Windows
- Upgrading or refreshing your Windows installation will move some files and folders to a
Windows.old
folder on the system drive.
Retrieve files from windows.old[8] |
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Non-Unicode applications might not work properly
- This is most commonly an issue with Japanese games and visual novels, and may prevent a game from being installed, launched, or even work properly (may have scrambled text or bugs).
- Locale Emulator/Microsoft AppLocale runs the application with the correct localization without affecting the rest of the operating system.
Use Locale Emulator |
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Instructions
|
Use Microsoft AppLocale |
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Instructions
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Change non-Unicode language system-wide[9] |
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Instructions
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IPX protocol deprecated
- IPX was a LAN protocol commonly used with older programs, especially games. Unfortunately it was removed entirely from Vista and later with no indication of returning.
Try a wrapper[citation needed] |
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Try one of the following:
|
Copy support files from Windows XP[10] |
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What you need: a working installation of Windows XP sp2. Step 1. Ctrate a new folder c:\temp Step 2. Copy the following files to the directory c:\temp *and* to the corrsponding vista directories: Note: You might need to open up an "elevated" command prompt, "run as administrator", (to get write access to directories). Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnkipx.sys Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnkflt.sys Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnkfwd.sys Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnknb.sys Windows\System32\drivers\nwlnkspx.sys Windows\System32\rtipxmib.dll Windows\System32\wshisn.dll Windows\System32\nwprovau.dll Windows\inf\netnwlnk.inf (*) Windows\inf\netnwlnk.pnf (*) (*) The directory "inf" is hidden Step 3. Go to "manage network connection" (in control panel-> network). Right click your LAN adapter connection, click "install", "protocol", "Add", Do not select the IPX that is already in the list, be sure to select "have disk". Navigate to "c:\temp" and select file "netnwlnk.inf", now select "WLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS". You will get a warning it's not verifyable, install anyway (or not..). If you get an error message about a missing module, you forgot to copy the above files to the windows 7 directories. Step 4. Reboot computer.
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Lowered volume when using background Metro/UWP apps
Instructions[citation needed] |
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Backward compatibility
Compatibility mode
- See Windows Compatibility Mode for information on how to use the built-in backward compatibility mode of Windows.
DOS compatibility
For modern versions of Windows (both 32-bit and 64-bit), it is recommended to use DOSBox.
- If you're having trouble getting DOS games to run on older versions of NT (XP & 2000) checkout The Sierra Help Pages.
- In the transition from Windows 9x to NT based versions, DOS compatibility was temporarily maintained, at least for 32-bit editions.
Other information
Game Bar
See Game Bar.
Running previous Windows versions bundled games on newer ones
Speed up loading of web pages in Windows
- Windows ships with Automatically detect settings enabled by default for compatibility reasons. This option allows automatic configuration of Internet connectivity in networks that supports it by using the DNS or DHCP services of the network. However support for this type of automatic configuration is almost only found within corporate or academic networks, and the feature is as such not usually required for home or small network users.
- The feature have in some instances been found to add noticeable delays when loading content from the Internet, and is therefor recommended to be disabled unless the network requires it.
- Disabling this feature affects all applications that relies on the internal IE subsystem of Windows, such as Google Chrome, Steam, and more.
Instructions[11] |
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Notes
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References
- ↑ Microsoft Community Forums :: Age of Mythology - Windows 10
- ↑ /3GB (Windows Drivers) - Microsoft Developer Network
- ↑ BCDEdit /set (Windows Drivers) - Microsoft Developer Network
- ↑ The oft-misunderstood /3GB switch – The Old New Thing
- ↑ Kernel address space consequences of the /3GB switch – The Old New Thing
- ↑ Windows Vista File and Registry Virtualisation – Richard's Weblog
- ↑ Tomb Raider 6 Modding Thread - www.tombraiderforums.com
- ↑ Retrieve files from the Windows.old folder - Microsoft Windows Help
- ↑ Change the system locale - Windows Help
- ↑ https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/82727f50-9e1b-4fcf-8a38-e45567938ec4/ipx-on-windows-7?forum=w7itpronetworking
- ↑ Reddit Gaming Subreddit - Make Big Picture Quicker