├── .github └── FUNDING.yml ├── example-screenshot.png └── README.md /.github/FUNDING.yml: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /example-screenshot.png: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/commandcontrolQ/VxKex/HEAD/example-screenshot.png -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /README.md: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 | > [!NOTE] 2 | > This is an archive of the VxKex repository from the user 'vxiiduu', whose account was deleted on the 21st of July 2024 for unknown reasons. 3 | > 4 | > UPDATE: I have decided to reopen the Issues page anyway for anyone having problems with VxKex, however, it is up to the community to continue development. 5 | 6 | > [!IMPORTANT] 7 | > There is only one release available, which is release 1.1.1.1375. 8 | > 9 | > **Looking for other releases?** You should consult [the Internet Archive](https://archive.org), as this repo is only to archive the latest release. 10 | 11 | Hashes 12 | ------ 13 | For release 1.1.1.1375: 14 | - SHA256: 652f6d2901c86de4a05743b5f808fafb6e28b9720c39bce5e7e031d26cac9035 15 | - MD5: 8b690d6134fcfa6e742f190e6d607f46 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Introduction 20 | ============ 21 | 22 | VxKex is a set of API extensions for Windows 7 that allow some Windows 8, 23 | 8.1 and 10-exclusive applications to run on Windows 7. 24 | 25 | To download and install, see the [releases page](https://github.com/commandcontrolQ/VxKex/releases). 26 | 27 | After installation, usage is easy: just right click on a program (.exe or .msi), 28 | open the Properties dialog, and select the VxKex tab. Then, check the check box 29 | which says "Enable VxKex for this program", and try to run the program. 30 | 31 | ![VxKex configuration GUI](/example-screenshot.png) 32 | 33 | Some programs require additional configuration. There's a file called **"Application 34 | Compatibility List.docx"** inside the VxKex installation folder (which is C:\Program 35 | Files\VxKex by default) which details these steps, but for the most part, all 36 | configuration is self-explanatory. 37 | 38 | If you are a developer, source code is provided as a 7z file on the releases page. 39 | 40 | FAQ 41 | === 42 | 43 | **Q: Does it work for games???** 44 | 45 | **A:** At the moment, VxKex is not intended for games, so you will probably have limited 46 | success. I hope to address this shortcoming in a future release. 47 | 48 | **Q: What applications are supported?** 49 | 50 | **A:** The list of compatible applications includes, but is not limited to: 51 | - Bespoke Synth 52 | - Blender 53 | - Blockbench 54 | - Calibre 55 | - Chromium (including Ungoogled Chromium) 56 | - Citra 57 | - Commander Wars 58 | - Cygwin 59 | - Dasel 60 | - Discord Canary 61 | - ElectronMail 62 | - Firefox 63 | - GIMP (2.99.18) 64 | - GitHub Desktop 65 | - HandBrake 66 | - Kodi 67 | - MKVToolNix 68 | - MongoDB 69 | - MPC-Qt 70 | - MPV 71 | - MPV.NET 72 | - Opera 73 | - osu!lazer 74 | - Python 75 | - qBittorrent 76 | - QMMP 77 | - Qt Creator 78 | - Rufus 79 | - Steel Bank Common Lisp 80 | - Spotify 81 | - Steinberg SpectraLayers 82 | - TeamTalk 83 | - VSCode and VSCodium 84 | - WinDbg (classic from Windows 11 SDK, and preview) 85 | - Yuzu (gameplay was not tested) 86 | - Zig 87 | 88 | See the **Application Compatibility List.docx** file, which is installed together 89 | with VxKex, for more information. 90 | 91 | The majority of Qt6 applications will work, and many Electron applications will 92 | work as well. 93 | 94 | **Q: Does VxKex modify system files? Will it make my system unstable?** 95 | 96 | **A:** VxKex does not modify any system files. Its effect on the whole system is 97 | extremely minimal. No background services are used, no global hooks are 98 | installed, and the shell extensions and DLLs that are loaded have minimal 99 | impact and can be disabled if needed. You can rest assured that your Windows 7 100 | will remain as stable as it always is. 101 | 102 | **Q: Do I need to have specific updates installed?** 103 | 104 | **A:** VxKex is only designed to work with Service Pack 1 installed. Users of 105 | Windows 7 RTM can try to use it, but I don't know if it will install or work. 106 | Many programs require KB2533623 and KB2670838 in order to run. It is a good 107 | idea to install those two updates. 108 | 109 | **Q: If I have ESUs (Extended Security Updates) installed, can I use VxKex?** 110 | 111 | **A:** Yes. There is no problem with ESUs. 112 | 113 | **Q: Do console applications work with VxKex?** 114 | 115 | **A:** Yes. After you have enabled VxKex for a program you can use it through the 116 | command prompt as normal. 117 | 118 | **Q: Can I use this with Windows 8 or 8.1?** 119 | 120 | **A:** VxKex is designed for use only with Windows 7. If you use Windows 8 or 8.1, 121 | it's unlikely that VxKex will do anything useful, but you're free to install it 122 | anyway and see what happens. 123 | 124 | **Q: How does VxKex work?** 125 | 126 | **A:** VxKex works by loading a DLL into each program where VxKex is enabled. This 127 | is accomplished through using the IFEO (Image File Execution Options) registry key. 128 | 129 | Specifically, the "VerifierDlls" value is set to point to a VxKex DLL. This DLL then 130 | loads into the process. 131 | 132 | API extension is accomplished by editing the program's DLL import table so that 133 | instead of importing from Windows 8/8.1/10 DLLs, it imports to VxKex DLLs instead. 134 | These VxKex DLLs contain implementations of Windows API functions which were introduced 135 | in newer versions of Windows. 136 | 137 | Donations 138 | ========= 139 | 140 | If you would like to support development, consider making a donation. 141 | 142 | - https://paypal.me/vxiiduu 143 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------