Difference between revisions of "Windows"
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== General == | == General == | ||
=== Command Prompt === | === Command Prompt === | ||
− | The | + | 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'. |
+ | |||
=== DirectX === | === DirectX === | ||
DirectX is a collection of APIs for Windows that allows programs to interact directly with hardware. | DirectX is a collection of APIs for Windows that allows programs to interact directly with hardware. |
Revision as of 12:38, 9 February 2013
Microsoft Windows is a popular family of operating systems.
Windows XP
API Version Support
Included DirectX | Latest DirectX | .NET Framework | OpenGL |
---|---|---|---|
8.1 | 9.0c | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Windows Vista
API Version Support
Included DirectX | Latest DirectX | .NET Framework | OpenGL |
---|---|---|---|
10 | 11 | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Performance Improvements
Disable Aero Theme
Right click on the desktop, click "Personalise", then "Window Colour and Appearance". After that go to "Open classic appearance properties for more colour options" and choose "Windows Vista Basic" on the drop down menu, making sure to click "Apply".
Windows 7
API Version Support
Included DirectX | Latest DirectX | .NET Framework | OpenGL |
---|---|---|---|
11 | 11 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
Performance Improvements
Disable Aero Theme
Right click on the desktop and click "Personalise". Then go scroll the themes down until you see the Basic themes, from which you can choose from.
Windows 8
Criticism
Windows 8 has come under criticism from several notable video game developers for the Windows Store (a "walled garden" distribution model, similar to Apple's App Store), as they felt it conflicted with the traditional view of the PC as an open platform. These criticisms have come most notably from Minecraft developer Markus "Notch" Persson (who refused to put Minecraft onto the Windows Store), Gabe Newell (co-fonder of Valve, developer of Steam) and industry veteran Casey Muratori.
Other criticisms have been made over the emphasis on touch computing instead of using the OS as a home computer.
API Version Support
Included DirectX | Latest DirectX | .NET Framework | OpenGL |
---|---|---|---|
11.1 | 11.1 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
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'.
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 C# or XNA. It can be downloaded and installed from the Microsoft website.
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").
Common Fixes
Older Games Missing .dll File in Windows Vista/7
Because Windows Vista and Windows 7 run DirectX 10, some important .dll files may not be installed for older games, leading to errors when trying to run these games. If a game gives an error about a missing .dll file and you are running Windows Vista/7, follow these instructions:
1. Write down the name of the .dll the games says is missing.
2. Navigate to C:\Windows\system32\
3. Locate the .dll that has the same name as the missing .dll but with an additional x in the name (i.e. if the game can't find dplay.dll, navigate here and find dplayx.dll) .
4. Make a copy of that .dll, and rename the copy to the initial .dll that was missing (i.e make a copy of dplayx.dll and rename the copy dplay.dll).
The game should be able to find the .dll and play normally.