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View Full Version : Technical Info: Windows 8.1 Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA)



NewsArchive
08-13-2013, 10:35 AM
The Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) is a feature in Windows 8.x,
Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista which has been designed to
detect compatibility issues in older ("legacy") programs. PCA plays a
significant role in application compatibility in UAC-aware Windows operating
systems.

The service displays a compatibility warning window if compatibility issues
have been detected during installation or program starts. The user usually
does have a choice to continue but programs are sometimes blocked from
running as well. If that happens, users have the option to check online for
possible solutions.

How the program behaves after that depends on the option the user selects.
If they pick "Reinstall using recommended settings" the system will remember
(via registry settings) that they picked that option and will begin to "lie"
about the version of Windows the product is being run under when the product
asks for the OS version in the future. Windows 8.1 will report that it is
it is "Windows 7", for example. If they pick "This program installed
correctly" the system will remember they responded to the PCA and not "lie"
about the OS. If they pick "Cancel" nothing about the program is remembered
(and the PCA pop-up will continue to appear each time it is launched).

To avoid installer PCA mitigation under Windows 8.1, you NEED a Windows 8.1
aware installation system.

The upcoming SetupBuilder 8.1 lets you compile Windows 8.1 aware
applications to ensure that software gets installed and uninstalled
properly.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

--Helping You Build Better Installations
--SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
--Create Windows 8 ready installations in minutes
--Official Comodo Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner

NewsArchive
08-14-2013, 03:21 AM
> To avoid installer PCA mitigation under Windows 8.1, you NEED a Windows 8.1
> aware installation system.

That is why ALL developers should use SetupBuilder and keep their
subscriptions current so that they automatically get the latest version!

That way YOU work hard so WE don't have to ... and you make US look both
good and smart in the process!

:-)

Charles


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NewsArchive
08-14-2013, 04:13 AM
> That is why ALL developers should use SetupBuilder and keep their
> subscriptions current so that they automatically get the latest version!
>
> That way YOU work hard so WE don't have to ... and you make US look both
> good and smart in the process!

<G> Thank you, Charles :-)

Friedrich

NewsArchive
08-14-2013, 10:22 AM
Update: Microsoft is expected to deliver RTM Windows 8.1 code to OEMs by the
end of August 2013, although unlike previous years the RTM release won't be
available on MSDN or TechNet at that time. It looks like Microsoft will be
holding back the launch until mid-October 2013 for all channels.

We are busy testing SetupBuilder 8.1 on the latest internal Windows 8.1
PreRTM (and no longer the old Windows 8.1 Preview) to make sure there are no
compatibility issues. When Windows 8.1 RTM becomes available, you'll
definitely have an up-to-date installation system to deploy your software
products.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

--Helping You Build Better Installations
--SetupBuilder "point. click. ship"
--Create Windows 8.x ready installations in minutes
--Official Comodo Code Signing and SSL Certificate Partner