1. Start by dragging the Computer folder from the desktop (or if it's not there from start menu) to the edge of the screen, preferably top one.
2. Right click  it and remove show title checkbox
3. Decrease it's size
4. Adjust it's features as you want: either select auto-hide or always on top

Aside from opening your partitions in file explorer the MyComputer bar allows you to hover over them to see available space and safely remove flash drives with right-click menu.

This functionality is not limited to the Computer folder, you can actually pin and use Control Panel and other folders the same way.

I also get a error of "802.11 connection failed to due to unknown reason" and Ping error -1231.

Any fixes? I'm using a Realtek wifi dongle.

The networks show but I can't connect due to an "unknown" error.

kb969808: Incorrect certificate information may be displayed when you install a sidebar gadget on a computer that is tunning Windows Vista: "This certificate has expired or is not yet valid"

kb969867: FIX: You cannot import or paste some group policies across domains by using the "Group Policy Management" MMC snap-in

kb970770: NTDS Writer PostSnapshot behavior in Windows Server 2008 differs from the corresponding behavior in Windows Server 2003

kb970790: Windows inbox games crash when you switch from one video card to another on a computer that is running Windows Vista

kb971372: The memory usage of the Svchost.exe process for Windows Deployment Services keeps increasing after you install hotfix 960489 or install Windows Server 2008 SP2

kb971394: A backup of virtual machines fails when you use the Hyper-V VSS writer to back up virtual machines concurrently on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008

kb971576: Error message when you create a new partition during a Windows Server 2008 installation on a computer that has UEFI enabled: "0x8004240f"

kb973020: An option in the Web Restrictions settings is localized incorrectly in the Simplified Chinese version of Windows Vista

kb973247: A hotfix is available for the Active Directory Rights Management Services role in Windows Server 2008: August 26, 2009

kb973625: A container object conflict occurs when you create a GPO for a wireless network policy by using the Group Policy Management MMC snap-in from a domain controller that is running Windows Server 2008 to connect to a PDC that is running Windows Server 2003

kb973648: One or several controls in the DCOM Config utility are disabled on a computer that is running a Russian edition of Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

kb974126: Network policies on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 do not work when a format that uses a comma as the decimal separator is specified in Regional and Language Options

kb974260: When you print in a 32-bit application on a computer that is running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, the application stops responding

kb974522: A LDAP simple bind action fails on a domain controller that is running Windows Server 2008 if the distinguished name of the user account exceeds 256 characters

kb974913: The CD drive or the DVD drive is missing from the "Send To" shortcut menu and from the Recording tab of the drive properties after you erase a disc on a computer that is running Windows Vista SP2 or Windows Server 2008 SP2

kb975246: Stop error message when you connect and then disconnect a USB camera from a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008: "Fatal System Error: 0x000000C4 (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4) DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VI...

kb975755: Device Manager or the application stops responding when you use Device Manager or an application to uninstall the driver for a network adapter on a computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

kb977747: The 2009 update package for the Japanese postal code dictionary in the Japanese Input Method Editor is now available for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008

kb979040 :Windows Server 2008 is unresponsive because of a deadlock in Sis.sys

kb980027: A Windows Server 2008 domain controller or a Windows Server 2008 R2 domain controller cannot allocate new ports when Server for NIS is running

kb981124: FIX: The MIME mapping list cannot be parsed by using the earlier version of the ADSI provider in IIS 7.0

kb981381: Office SharePoint Server 2007 does not crawl the public folder on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008

kb981607: A client cannot automatically join a domain that contains RODCs when a Windows Server 2008-based WDS server is used

kb981612: WinSAT may crash after you use it to assess Direct3D performance on a computer that has more than 8 CPU cores

kb982479: Old data is displayed for an SD card that you reinsert into a Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista-based computer that is in standby or in hibernation

kb983234: FIX: A parent window is still disabled after you close a child dialog box that is hosted by a webpage in Internet Explorer 6

kb2028962: The "Active Directory Users and Computers" MMC snap-in does not list all the accounts that have passwords cached on the RODC in Windows

kb2213970: Users cannot access email messages in Outlook through Exchange by using smart card authentication in BPOS in Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 R2

kb2300535: Windows Ribbon is not displayed correctly in an application that uses the /largeaddressaware option on a computer that is running Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008

kb2378944: The Telephony MMC snap-in crashes in Windows Server 2008 or in Windows Server 2008 R2 when you edit users for a line device

kb2408168: A connection to a load-balancing Exchange mailbox from an Outlook client fails on a computer that is running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 R2

kb2414971: FIX: Requests for URLs are not traced after you enable the UseUrlFilter flag in IIS 7.0 or in IIS 7.5

kb2415605: "EvtFormatMessage failed" errors in Windows Vista SP2 or in Windows Server 2008 SP2 if the "dcdiag /test:systemlog" command is run on a domain controller that does not use the "English (United States)" system locale setting

kb2485604: Windows Media Player 11 cannot pass digest proxy authentication in Windows Vista

kb2494136: FIX: Redirected audio randomly fails over a high latency network for a remote desktop connection to a computer that is running Windows Server 2008

kb2497168: USB HID keyboard may incorrectly report the previous auto-repeat scan code in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2008

kb2518021: Hyper-V virtual network adapter does not bind to Quality of Service (QoS) in Windows Server 2008

kb2520513: FIX: "HTTP/1.1 500 Internal Server Error" error when you download a large file from an IIS 7.5 website if the SF_NOTIFY_SEND_RAW_DATA notification is registered in an ISAPI filter

kb2523201: The authentication information is deleted unexpectedly in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2008 after you access some resources on the web server

kb2580121: A Windows Server 2008-based storage server may stop responding to all users' file modification requests when a user accesses a file on an SIS volume

kb2592389: Narrator crashes when you open the system menu of an application in Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2008

kb2635621: A Windows Server 2008-based OCSP responder logs incorrect "thisUpdate" time stamp in the OCSP response

kb2675625: "Network error" or "Filename not valid" error message when you access an NFS share from a computer that is running Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 R2

kb2697022: Win32_PhysicalMedia class does not use the IOCTL_SMART_GET_VERSION control code to query the disk serial number on a Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008-based computer

kb2718389: "Security Configuration Wizard has stopped working" error when you add a rule to Network Security on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2

kb2786623: Tuple index is corrupted in a Windows Server 2008 domain or in an LDS instance

Does anyone have these updates?

ZA Free 14.3 doesn't support it, TinyWall is cumbersome

( Don't say windows firewall if i wanted to use that I wouldn't ask )

**Edit i use Vista x64 Ultimate on my laptop 

This list was created for the purpose of documenting final releases of programs, drivers, and hardware to support Microsoft® Windows Vista™ and Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008, as well as software that continues to support these operating systems. Feel free to contribute your own additions to the list in the form of a reply to the topic, and I will add your entries as soon as possible.

Note: this list is for vanilla, unmodified Windows Vista/Server 2008 installations without the Extended Kernel by Win32. For the extended kernel version of this thread, go here.

READ THE MSFN RULES BEFORE POSTING - LINKS TO PIRATED SOFTWARE/WAREZ WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Important Updates for Windows Vista:

Download Service Pack 1: Vista 32 bit •  Vista 64 bit

Download Service Pack 2: Vista/2008 32 bit  •  Vista/2008 64 bit

Download Platform Update & Supplement: Vista/2008 32 bit •  Vista/2008 64 bit
 

Additional Resources for Vista users:

Windows Vista Security Update Repository by greenhillmaniac (All updates for Vista until April 2017)

Get security updates for Windows Vista until 2020 YouTube tutorial (by me; big thanks to MSFN user greenhillmaniac for maintaining the Server 2008 update repository).

Get TLS 1.1/1.2 support in Vista's Internet Explorer 9 tutorial (by MSFN member VistaLover)

Compatible hardware for Windows Vista list
 

List (valid as of Oct. 9, 2022):
Key: $$$ - Paid software | FREE - Free software | CS - Closed Source | OS - Open Source | UNS - Not officially supported on Vista, but still works | ONG - Support ongoing; continues to be updated on Vista

*Disclaimer: any software marked as UNS & ONG could stop working on Windows Vista with any given update.

Web Browsers:

• Note: Any browser not marked as (ONG) no longer receives major updates and may have trouble displaying websites correctly as time goes on. For the best experience, I personally recommend you choose a browser marked (ONG), as these browsers continue to be actively updated on Vista.

Independently based:

K-Meleon on Goanna by roytam1 (FREE, OS, ONG) Visit this K-Meleon Forum thread to get the latest version. 

Lunascape (FREE, CS, ONG) Supports IE7-9 (Trident), Gecko, and Webkit rendering engines.

Otter Browser (FREE, OS, ONG) Must use "Windows XP or later" installer; "Windows 7 or later" version does not work.

Polarity Portable 8.4.4 (FREE, OS) [Feb. 2017] Download from FileHippo here. No longer supported by Polarity as of Feb. 25, 2017.

QupZilla 1.8.9 (FREE, OS) [Nov. 2015]

Windows Internet Explorer 9 (FREE, CS) [Mar. 2011] Requires SP2 & Platform Update. Download here: 32 bit  64 bit

Chromium based:

360 Extreme Explorer (FREE, OS, ONG) Russian Repacked Version with Chinese Telemetry removed is recommended.

Advanced Chrome v54.20.6530.0 (FREE, OS) [Jan. 2018] Based on a combination of Chromium 51, 54, and 48. Download here.

Comodo Dragon 46.9.15.425 (FREE, OS) [Jan. 2016] Based on Chromium 46.x. Download from FileHippo here

Epic Browser Version 58.0.3300.190 (FREE, OS, UNS) [June 2017] Based on Chromium 58. Download archived installer here: Epic Browser v58 silent installer for Vista (mega.co.nz)

Google Chrome 49.0.2623.112m (FREE, OS) [Apr. 2016] Download from Google directly here.

Google Chrome 50.0.2661.102m (FREE, OS, UNS) [Apr. 2016] Download from FilePuma: 32 bit  64 bit (After downloading, extract the file using the file extraction software of your choice [such as 7zip]. After extracting, run Chrome.exe directly, and the browser should run just fine in Windows Vista).

Kafan Mini-Browser (FREE, OS, ONG) Backports Chromium 87 to Vista. Download here.

Maxthon (FREE, CS, ONG)

Opera 36.0.2130.80 (FREE, OS) [Aug. 2016] Based on Chromium 49; will likely receive no further updates. Download from vendor here.

Opera 37.0.2178.54 (FREE, OS, UNS) [May 2016] Based on Chromium 50. Download from vendor here. Simply extract the installer with 7zip after downloading and run Opera.exe from within the extracted folder, and the browser should run just fine.

Slimjet 10.0.13 (FREE, OS) [Feb. 2017] Based on Chromium 50. To download from vendor, click here.

Slimjet 11.0.8 (FREE, OS) [July 2016] Based on Chromium 51. Download here.

Slimjet 12.0.15 (FREE, OS, UNS) [Jan. 2017] Based on Chromium 53. Has minor font spacing issues with some pages. Download here.

Vivaldi 1.0.435.46 Stable (FREE, OS) [Apr. 2016] Based on Chromium 49. To download from vendor, click here.

Vivaldi 1.1.453.59 Stable (FREE, OS, UNS) [Apr. 2016] Based on Chromium 50. Download here.

Vivaldi 1.1.443.3 Developer (FREE, OS, UNS) [Apr. 2016] Download here.

Yandex Browser v17.4.1.1026 (FREE, OS) [Sep. 2017] Based on Chromium 57. Download here.

Yandex Browser Portable 17.6.0.1633 (FREE, OS) [June 2017] Based on Chromium 58. Download here.

Mozilla Firefox based:

AOL Shield 1.0.0.35 (FREE, OS) [Nov. 2017] Based on Firefox 52. Download archived installer here.

Basilisk 2018.03.21 (FREE, OS, UNS) [Mar. 2018] Based on Firefox 56.x. Requires modifications to run; view this post for more details. It also doesn't properly support Vista's system codecs (H.264/MSE) so using roytam1's version instead is advised.

Cliqz 1.12.1 (FREE, OS) [Mar. 2017] Download from vendor (Wayback Machine) (This installer is for 1.11.0; it updates to the latest available version.)

Cocoon 52.1.1 (FREE, OS, UNS) [July 2017] Based on Firefox 52. 

Comodo IceDragon 52.0.0.4 (FREE, OS) Based on Firefox 52. Download from FilePuma here.

Cyberfox 52.9.1 (FREE, OS, UNS) [July 2018] Based on Firefox 52. Requires modifications to run; view this post for more details.

GNU IceCat 38.8.0 (FREE, OS) [May 2016] Download from GNU.org FTP here.

Mozilla Firefox 52.9.1 Extended Support Release (ESR) (FREE, OS) [Sep. 2018] Download from Mozilla here: 32 bit - 64 bit

• Download this addon to fix the addon disabling issue for Firefox 52 ESR.
• Follow this guide to learn how to run the 64 bit build of Firefox 52.9.1 ESR on Windows Vista.

Mozilla Firefox 53.0.3 (FREE, OS, UNS) [May 2017] Requires modifications to run; view this post for more details. Download from Mozilla here.

MyPal 68.x by Feodor2 (FREE, OS, ONG) Download latest version from here. Backports Firefox 68.x to Windows Vista.

New Moon by roytam1 (FREE, OS, ONG) View this MSFN post to download.

Pale Moon 27.9.4 (FREE, OS) [Aug. 2018] Download: 32 bit  64 bit - Requires SP2, Platform Update, and Platform Update Supplement to be installed. The 64-bit version doesn't properly support Vista's system codecs (MSE & H.264), so using the x86 version instead is advised.

SeaMonkey 2.49.5 (FREE, OS) [Sept 2019] Download from vendor here.

SeaMonkey 2.50a1 Nightly (FREE, OS, UNS) [Jan. 2017] Based on Firefox 53. Download from vendor here. Requires modifications to run; view this post for more details. 

Serpent by roytam1 (FREE, OS, ONG) Download from vendor here.

Tor Browser 7.5.6 (FREE, OS) [June 2018] Based on Firefox 52. Download from vendor here (scroll to bottom of page for Windows installers)

Waterfox 53.0.3 (FREE, OS) [May 2017] Based on Firefox 53. 64-bit only. Download from vendor here.
 

Web Browser Plug-ins:

All browsers:

Adfender 2.55 ($$$, CS) Requires SP1 or SP2. Download here.

Adobe Flash Player 32.0.0.371 (FREE, CS) Last version without the January 2021 timebomb. Download here.

Java SE 8 (FREE, CS, ONG) Requires IE9 (for IE users). Will continue to receive security updates until December 2030.

Norton Family v3.7.0.55 (FREE, CS) Requires SP1 to be installed (SP2 recommended). Requires IE7 or later (for IE users), Firefox 45 or later (for Firefox users), or Chrome 32 or later (for Chrome users).

Final versions of Add-ons/Plug-ins for Firefox 52 ESR:

NoScript 5.1.9 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here.

ScreenGrab (fix version) 0.99.12 (FREE, OS) Download (Wayback Machine)

uBlock Origin 1.17.4  (FREE, OS) Download here.

Umatrix 1.1.4 (FREE, OS, UNS) Requires certain procedures to be installed as this isn't officially supported (but despite this, works fine); go here for more details.
 

AntiVirus & Security Software:

Adguard ($$$, CS, ONG) 14 day trial available.

Avast Antivirus - All Editions v.18.8 ($$$ & FREE, CS) Only definition updates will be provided for this version for Vista/XP. No new major updates will be released.

AVG - All Editions v18.8 ($$$ & FREE, CS) Only definition updates will be provided for this version for Vista/XP. No new major updates will be released.

Avira 2013, all paid editions ($$$, CS) Windows Server operating systems aren't supported.

Avira Antivirus Free v15.0.9.504 (FREE, CS) 

Bitdefender Internet Security 2015 ($$$, CS)

Clamwin (FREE, CS, ONG)

Comodo Antivirus For Servers v8.1 ($$$, CS) For Windows Server 2008 only; Vista is not supported.

Comodo Cloud Scanner 2.0.162151.21 ($$$, CS)

Comodo Free Antivirus v12.0.0.6870 (FREE, CS)

Comodo Internet Security v12.0.0.6870 ($$$ & FREE versions available, CS)

Dashlane (FREE, CS, ONG)

Dr. Web AntiVirus ($$$, CS, ONG)

Dr. Web KATANA ($$$, CS, ONG)

Dr. Web Security Space ($$$, CS, ONG)

Emsisoft version 10 ($$$, CS) No longer receives database updates as of April 2016.

Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit 5.52 (FREE, CS) Requires SP2. To download from Microsoft, click here. EMET is no longer supported by Microsoft as of July 31, 2018.

eScan, all editions ($$$, CS, ONG)

ESET File Security for Windows Server ($$$, CS, ONG) 30 day trial available; supports Windows Server 2008. Windows Vista isn't supported.

ESET Internet Security v12.2.30.0 ($$$, CS)

ESET NOD32 Antivirus v12.2.30.0 ($$$, CS)

ESET Online Scanner (FREE, CS, ONG) 

ESET Smart Security v12.2.30.0 ($$$, CS)

FortiClient 5.2.4 ($$$, CS)

F-Secure Client Security 12.20 ($$$, CS)

F-Secure Internet Security 2017 ($$$, CS) Support for Vista ended on June 30, 2017.

F-Secure SAFE 2017 ($$$, CS) Support for Vista ended on June 30, 2017.

G Data Security Client ($$$, CS, ONG) Requires at least SP1; SP2 recommended. The Mobile Administrator software requires Windows 7 or later.

G Data Home Security Suite (Antivirus/Internet Security/Total Security) 25.1.0.12 ($$$, CS)

Glarysoft Malware Hunter (FREE, CS, ONG) 

HijackThis 2.0.4 & 2.0.5 Beta (FREE, OS) Download: 2.0.4 - 2.0.5 Beta

Hitman Pro; all editions ($$$, CS, ONG)

HouseCall Online Scanner (FREE, CS, ONG)

Immunet 5.0.2 ($$$ & FREE versions available, CS)

Kaspersky Antivirus 2018 ($$$, CS)

Kaspersky Internet Security 2018 ($$$, CS)

Kaspersky TDSSKiller (FREE, CS, ONG)

Kaspersky Total Security 2018 ($$$, CS)

Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool (FREE, CS, ONG)

KeePass 1.38 (FREE, CS) Download here.

KeyScrambler ($$$ & FREE editions available, CS, ONG)

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner 7.4.2 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit 1.12.1.90 ($$$ & FREE versions available, CS) Download from vendor here. 

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (all editions) v3.5.1 build 2522 component package 1.0.365 ($$$ & FREE versions available, CS) Download from vendor here. Will continue to receive on-going protection updates only; no new program versions or features will be created for XP/Vista.

McAfee 14.0 R1 ($$$, CS) No longer receives definition updates as of January 1, 2021.

Microsoft Security Essentials 4.4.304.0 (FREE, CS) Download from FileHippo here. Does not include the EOL timebomb of the last version for Vista (4.10.209.0).

Microsoft Security Essentials 4.10.209.0 (FREE, CS) No longer supports or functions on Windows Vista as of April 11, 2017. Continues to function normally on Windows Server 2008 and will likely do so for the foreseeable future.

Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool 5.47 - April 2017 (FREE, CS) Later versions don't work with Vista, but continue to support Windows Server 2008.

Norton AntiVirus Basic v22.15.X ($$$, CS)

Norton Internet Security 2015 v22.15.X ($$$, CS)

Norton Security v22.15.X ($$$, CS)

NoVirusThanks OSArmor 1.6.0 ($$$, CS) 

Panda Security ($$$, CS, ONG)

PrivaZer (FREE, CS, ONG)

Sandboxie 5.33 (FREE, CS, UNS) Download here.

Simplewall 2.4.6 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Simple Software-restriction Policy (FREE, CS, ONG)

Sophos Endpoint Security & Control version 11.0.15 ($$$, CS) No longer updated on Windows Vista as of October 31, 2018 (Server 2008 will continue to be supported until around July 2021)

Spybot version 2.4 Free Edition (FREE, CS) Download from vendor here.

SpyShelter Anti-Keylogger ($$$, CS, ONG) 

Spywareblaster (FREE, CS, ONG)

SuperAntiSpyware ($$$ & FREE, CS, ONG) Free version is for personal use only. Paid version requires an annual subscription. 

SystemShield AntiVirus 5.0.0.136 ($$$, CS)

SystemShield AntiSpyware 5.0.0.136 ($$$, CS)

TinyWall 2.1.15 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Trend Micro Antivirus+ 2017 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2+IE9. Support for Vista ended on June 30, 2017.

Trend Micro Internet Security 2017 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2+IE9. Support for Vista ended on June 30, 2017.

Trend Micro Maximum Security 2017 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2+IE9. Support for Vista ended on June 30, 2017.

TrustPort, all products ($$$, CS, ONG)

Unchecky (FREE, CS, ONG) 

VeraCrypt (FREE, OS, ONG)

VIPRE Antivirus, Internet Security, and Internet Security Pro v10 ($$$, CS)

Winaero OneClickFirewall (FREE, CS) 

Windows Defender 1.1.1600.0 (FREE, CS) No longer receives definition updates as of January 2020.

Windows Live OneCare 2.5.2900.30 ($$$, CS) No longer updated.

WiseVector StopX (FREE, CS, ONG) 

Webroot v9.0.31.84 ($$$, CS)

Xvirus - all products ($$$ & FREE, CS, ONG)

Zemana - AntiMalware & Anti-Keylogger ($$$, CS, ONG)

Zonealarm Free firewall 14.3.119.000 (FREE, CS) Requires SP2. Must contact support to download.
 

Built-in System Components:

DirectX 11.0 (FREE, CS) Will be automatically installed upon installation of SP2 and Platform Update.

Windows Installer 4.5 (FREE, CS) Will be automatically installed upon installation of SP2.

Windows Media Player 11.0.6002 (FREE, CS) Will be automatically installed upon installation of SP2. Online Stores/Online Media Service Listing Program has been discontinued and is no longer available.

Windows Search 4.0 (FREE, CS) Will be automatically installed upon installation of SP2.
 

Instant Messaging/Internet Communication Software:

AdiIRC (FREE, CS, ONG)

HexChat v.2.10.0 (FREE, CS)

IceChat (FREE, OS, ONG)

ICQ (FREE, OS, ONG) Must use "Windows XP" installer, Windows 7 or later version doesn't work.

Irssi (FREE, OS, ONG)

Linphone 4.1.1 (FREE, OS) Download here.

MicroSIP (FREE, OS, ONG)

Miranda NG (FREE, OS, ONG)

mIRC ($$$, CS, ONG)

Mumble 1.3.4 (FREE, OS) Download here.

Pidgin (FREE, OS, ONG)

Quassel IRC 0.12.4 (FREE, OS) Download here.

qTox 1.16.3 (FREE, OS) Download here.

Ripcord (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)

Skype v7.36.0.150 (FREE, CS) Download here (link provided by MSFN user sdfox7) This version no longer connects to the servers as of April 2019.

Skype v7.38.0.101 (FREE, CS, UNS) Download here (link provided by MSFN user sdfox7).  This version no longer connects to the servers as of early 2019.

TeamSpeak 3.2.5 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Telegram Desktop 1.8.15 (FREE, OS) Download here.

Trillian (FREE, CS, ONG)

Viber 6.8.2.878 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Yahoo! Messenger 11.5.0.228 (FREE, CS) No longer connects to the Yahoo servers; you must use the web version of Yahoo Messenger.
 

E-mail Clients:

Claws Mail 3.16.0 (FREE, OS) Download here: 32 bit - 64 bit

eM Client 7.2.35595.0 (FREE, CS) Download from vendor

em Client Pro 7.2.35595.0 ($$$, CS)

Mailbird 2.6.1.0 (FREE, CS)

Mailbird Pro 2.6.1.0 ($$$, CS)

MailNews by roytam1 (FREE, OS, ONG) View this MSFN thread to get the latest build.

Microsoft Outlook 2010 (FREE, CS) Will continue to receive security updates until October 13, 2020.

Mozilla Thunderbird 52.9.1 (FREE, OS) Download from Mozilla here

Opera Mail 1.0.1044 (FREE, CS) Download from vendor

Pegasus Mail (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG)

PostBox ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG)

Sylpheed (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)

PDF Viewers/Editors:

Adobe Acrobat Reader X v10.1.16 (FREE, CS) Download 10.1.14 installer here  Download 10.1.16 update here.

Adobe Acrobat Reader XI v11.0.23 (FREE, CS, UNS) Download from Adobe: 11.0.10 installer (choose Server 2008 as your OS) - 11.0.23 update (a standalone installer for 11.0.23 is not available, so you must first install 11.0.10, and then update to 11.0.23 by downloading the installer using the link provided)

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC version 2015.10.20060 (FREE, CS, UNS) Has some stability issues, but functions as a basic PDF Viewer. To learn how to install the software in Vista, view this YouTube tutorial, created by myself.

Corel PDF Fusion ($$$, CS, ONG)

CutePDF Professional ($$$, CS, ONG) 

CutePDF Writer (FREE, CS, ONG)

doPDF (FREE, CS, ONG)

FineReader 14 Portable (FREE, CS, UNS)

Foxit PDF Reader 9.2.0.9297 (FREE, CS, UNS) Download here.

Foxit PhantomPDF 9.2.0.9297 ($$$, CS, UNS) Download (trial) here.

Infix PDF Editor ($$$, CS, ONG) 

Master PDF Editor v5.3.02 ($$$, CS) Download (trial) here.

Nitro PDF Reader v10.x (FREE, CS)

Nitro PDF Pro v10.x ($$$, CS)

PDF-XChange Editor 7.0.328.2 ($$$, CS) Download here.

RTT PDF Explorer ($$$, CS, ONG) 

RTT PDFrizator (FREE, CS, ONG) 

Sumatra PDF (FREE, OS, ONG)

Wondershare PDFelement ($$$, CS, ONG)
 

Word Processing & Office Suites:

Ability Office & Ability Office Professional ($$$, CS, ONG)

AbleWord (FREE, CS) Hasn't been updated since 2015.

Apache OpenOffice (FREE, OS, ONG)

Atlantis Word Processor ($$$, CS, ONG) 30 day trial available.

Corel WordPerfect Office X7 ($$$, CS)

Evernote 6.7.6.7584 (FREE, CS) Download from vendor

LibreOffice 5.4.7.2 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor: x86  x64

Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2, All Editions ($$$, CS) Extended support will end on October 13, 2020.

Notepad++ (FREE, OS, ONG)

Notepad2-mod v4.2.25.998 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here.

Notepad3 4.18.512.992 (FREE, OS, UNS) Download from FileHippo here.

RedNotebook (FREE, OS, ONG)

Scribus 1.4.6 (FREE, OS)

Softmaker FreeOffice 2016 rev 767.0516 (FREE, CS)

Wunderlist 3.21.4 (FREE, CS)

WPS Office 2019 - All Editions ($$$ & FREE editions available, CS, ONG)
 

Content Consumption Software:

AIMP v5.00.2344 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Clementine Music Player (FREE, OS, ONG)

Foobar2000 1.5.11 (FREE, CS) Download here.

K-Lite, All Codec Packs (FREE, CS, ONG)

Kodi 17.6 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here. Must run the installer in compatibility mode for Windows XP SP2 to get the software to install.

Leawo Blu-ray Player 1.9.6.2 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Media Player Classic Black Edition (FREE, OS, ONG)

Media Player Classic Home Cinema (FREE, OS, ONG)

mpv Media Player v0.25.0 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor: 32 bit  64 bit

MPlayer (FREE, OS, ONG)

MusicBee 3.0.6067 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Potplayer (FREE, CS, ONG)

PowerDVD 15 ($$$, CS)

SMPlayer (FREE, OS, ONG) Must use QT 5.6 version.

Spotify 1.0.24.104 (FREE, CS) Download from FileHippo here

VLC Media Player 3.x (FREE, OS, ONG) Requires SP2 and Platform Update to be installed. This is the final branch to support Vista & XP; 4.x does not work.

Winamp 5.8 (FREE, CS) Download here.
 

DVR/PVR software:

MediaPortal (FREE, OS, ONG)

NextPVR 4.2.5 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Windows Media Center with TV Pack 2008 (FREE, CS) Download TV Pack 2008 here. No longer updated as of April 2, 2020.
 

Adobe Editing Software:

• All CS6 apps are $$$, CS, UNS. For official support, use the CS5.5 suite instead.

Adobe After Effects CS6

Adobe Audition CS6

Adobe Director 12 ($$$, CS)

Adobe Photoshop CS6

Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.0 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2. 

Adobe Premiere Pro CS6

Dreamweaver CS6

Extendscript Toolkit CC

Fireworks CS6

Flash Professional CS6

Illustrator CS6

InCopy CS6

InDesign CS6

Lightroom 4 ($$$, CS) 
 

Video & Photo Editing Software:

abcAVI Tag Editor 1.81 (FREE, CS) Download here

ACDSee 17 ($$$, CS)

ACDSee Pro 7 ($$$, CS)

ACDSee Video Converter 4 ($$$, CS)

ACDSee Video Studio 2.0.0.588 ($$$, CS)

AniView (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)

AnnyStudio JPEG Lossless Rotator (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG)

AnnyStudio Just Color Picker (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG)

ArtWeaver Free 6.0.13 (FREE, CS, UNS)

ArtWeaver Pro 6.0.13 ($$$, CS, UNS)

Avid Pro Tools 10 ($$$, CS, UNS) Requires modification of MSI installer with Orca to work. *Avid Virtual Instruments 10 doesn't work.

Bandicam ($$$, CS, ONG) Free version with reduced functionality is available. 

CamStudio v2.7.2 (FREE, OS) Hasn't been updated on Windows as a whole since October 19, 2013 and is most likely abandoned.

Camtasia Studio 8.6.0 ($$$, CS)

CardWorks Business Card Designer ($$$, CS, ONG)

ContaCam 9.0.9 (FREE, OS) Download here.

Corel PaintShop Pro X7 ($$$, CS)

Disketch Disc Label Software ($$$, CS, ONG)

DrawPad Graphic Editor ($$$, CS, ONG)

FastPictureViewer Pro ($$$, CS, ONG) Requires SP1; SP2 recommended.

FastStone Capture ($$$, CS, ONG)

FastStone MaxView ($$$, CS, ONG)

FastStone Image Viewer (FREE, CS, ONG)

FastStone Photo Resizer (FREE, CS, ONG)

FireAlpaca (FREE, CS, ONG)

Flashback Express 5.35.0 (FREE, CS)

Flashback Pro 5.35.0 ($$$, CS)

Fraps v3.5.99 (FREE, CS) Hasn't been updated on Windows as a whole since February 26, 2013 and is most likely abandoned.

GIMP 2.10.0 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here.

Handbrake 1.0.7 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here.

Image Composite Editor 2.0.3 (FREE, CS) Requires SP2. Download archived installers: 32 bit - 64 bit

Imagine (FREE, CS, ONG)

Inkscape 0.92.3 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor: 7Z (x86), EXE (x86), MSI (x86), Portable (x86) - 7Z (x64), EXE (x64), MSI (x64)

IrfanView (FREE for non commercial use, CS, ONG)

KC Softwares PhotoToFilm 3.9.1.99 ($$$, CS) Download (trial) here.

KC Softwares VideoInspector 2.15.2.146 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Krita 4.1.7 (FREE, OS, UNS) Download here (must use portable version).

Lightworks 14.5.0.0 ($$$ & FREE versions available, CS) Download here.

MKVToolNix v19.0.0 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here.

MyPaint 1.2.1 (FREE, OS) Download here.

OBS Classic 0.659b (FREE, OS) Requires SP2. Download from vendor here. 

OBS Studio 21.0.1 (FREE, CS) Requires SP2 and Platform Update. Download here.

OhSoft oCam (FREE, OS, ONG) 

Paint.NET 3.5.11 (FREE, CS) Download from FileHippo here.

PhotoPad Image Editor ($$$, CS, ONG)

PhotoStage ($$$, CS, ONG)

Picasa 3.9.141 Build 259 (FREE, CS) Download archived installer here.

Pinta 1.7.1 (FREE, OS) Download here.

Pixillion ($$$, CS, ONG)

Prism Video Converter ($$$, CS, ONG)

Sony Vegas Pro 12 ($$$, CS)

VideoPad Video Editor ($$$, CS, ONG)

VSDC Free Video Converter (FREE, CS, ONG)

VSDC Free Video Editor (FREE, CS, ONG)

Wondershare DVD Creator ($$$, CS, ONG)

Wondershare UniConverter ($$$, CS, ONG)

XnConvert 1.82 (FREE, CS) Download here.

XnRetro 1.20 (FREE, CS) Download here.

XnSketch 1.18 (FREE, CS, ONG) Download here.

XnView Classic (FREE, CS, ONG)

XnView MP 0.94.3 (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG) Download here.

Zoner Photo Studio 17 Free (FREE, CS) Download from vendor

Zoner Photo Studio 17 PRO ($$$, CS)

Screenshot Software:

Auto Screen Capture (FREE, OS, ONG) Download here.

Greenshot (FREE, OS, ONG)

Gyazo (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG) Gyazo GIF does not work.

Lightshot (FREE, CS, ONG)

ScreenToGif (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)

ShareX 12.0.0 (non-portable) (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here.

ShareX Portable (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG) Requires installation of Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 to work.
 

Audio & Music Creation/Editing Tools:

Abelton Live 9.1.10 ($$$, CS) Download trial from vendor here.

Acoustica Mixcraft ($$$, CS, ONG) 30 day trial available.

Asset UPnP audio server ($$$ & FREE, CS, ONG) Free version has certain limitations. View the vendor's site here for more details.

Audacity (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)

Crescendo ($$$, CS, ONG) 

dBpoweramp: mp3 Converter ($$$, CS, ONG)

Equalizer APO (FREE, OS, ONG)

Exact Audio Copy (FREE, CS, ONG)

FL Studio ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG)

Fmedia (FREE, CS, ONG)

Forte Notation - All Editions ($$$, CS, ONG)

Generatosaur 1.0.0.2 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor

Guitar Pro 6.2.0 R11686 ($$$, CS) Download from vendor here.

LMMS (FREE, OS, ONG)

MediaMonkey (FREE, CS, ONG)

MixPad ($$$, CS, ONG)

Mp3tag (FREE, CS, ONG)

Ocenaudio (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG)

OpenMPT 1.28.10.00 (FREE, OS) Download here.

PerfectTUNES (FREE, CS, ONG) Registration required to unlock all features. Unregistered version has certain limitations. View the vendor's site here for more details.

PitchPerfect ($$$, CS, ONG)

RecordPad ($$$, CS, ONG)

Softpointer Tag&Rename ($$$, CS, ONG)

Sony Sound Forge 11.0.272 ($$$, CS) Newer versions up to 13.x can be ran on Vista by using the Portable version of the software.

SoundTap ($$$, CS, ONG)

Switch ($$$, CS, ONG)

Synthesia ($$$, CS, ONG)

Voxal ($$$, CS, ONG)

VRS Recording System ($$$, CS, ONG)

WavePad ($$$, CS, ONG)

Wavosaur (FREE, OS, ONG)

Wavosaur Rec Recover (FREE, OS)

XRECODE3 ($$$, CS, ONG)

Zulu ($$$, CS, ONG)
 

2D/3D Modeling Software:

AutoCAD 2012 ($$$, CS)

AutoCAD 2013 & 2014 ($$$, CS, UNS) Must run in Windows XP compatibility mode for the software to work.

Autodesk 3dsmax 2016 ($$$, CS, UNS) Requires modifications to run. Last officially supported version is 2012.

Autodesk 3dsmax design 2016 ($$$, CS, UNS) Requires modifications to run. Last officially supported version is 2012.

Autodesk Maya 2016 ($$$, CS, UNS) Requires modifications to run. Last officially supported version is 2012.

Autodesk Mudbox 2016 ($$$, CS, UNS) Requires modifications to run. Last officially supported version is 2012.

Blender (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)

Daz Studio (FREE, CS, ONG)

DreamPlan Home Design software ($$$, CS, ONG)

FreeCAD (FREE, OS, ONG)

LibreCAD (FREE, OS, ONG)

MeshMagic ($$$, CS, ONG)

Sketchup 2014 ($$$, CS)

Sketchup 2015 & 2016 ($$$, CS, UNS) Modifying of MSI installer is required. See this MSFN post for more details.
 

Virtualization Software:

DOSBox (FREE, OS, ONG)

Hyper-V "1.0" (2008) (FREE, CS) Included with Windows Server 2008 only.

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1 (FREE, CS) UNS on Starter/Home versions of XP and Vista. Download from Microsoft here.

Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 SP1 (FREE, CS)

Oracle VM VirtualBox (FREE, CS, ONG) Requires at least SP1 to be installed; SP2 recommended.

VMware Player 6.0.7 (FREE, CS) Download 6.0.4 from FileHippo here, which can be updated to 6.0.7 (a 6.0.7 installer could not be obtained).

VMware Workstation 10.0.7 ($$$, CS)

VMware Workstation 11.1.2 ($$$, CS, UNS) Requires special procedures to be installed. 11.1.3/11.1.4 do not work.

VMware Workstation 12.0.0 ($$$, CS, UNS) Requires special procedures to be installed. Later versions (including newer 12.x builds) do not work.

VMware Tools 10.3.10 (FREE, CS) Download here. While newer versions may be installed on Vista, the drivers rely on functions found in only Windows 7 or later which may cause unexpected errors with certain applications.
 

Remote Access:

AnyDesk (FREE, CS, ONG)

Logmein Rescue Technician Console ($$$, CS, ONG)

PuTTY (FREE, OS, ONG)

Splashtop Business Access ($$$, CS, ONG)

Splashtop On-Demand Support ($$$, CS, ONG)

Splashtop Remote Support ($$$, CS, ONG)

TeamViewer 14.2.8352 (FREE, CS) Must pay for license in order for continued use as of Feb. 2020.

TightVNC (FREE, OS, ONG)

UltraVNC (FREE, OS, ONG)

VNC Server ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG) Requires modification of MSI installer with Orca to work.

VNC Viewer (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG) Requires modification of MSI installer with Orca to work.
 

Data & File Management/Sharing:

7zip (FREE, OS, ONG)

Bandizip (FREE, CS, ONG)

calibre 3.48 (FREE, OS) Download here.

Cryptomator 1.3.4 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor: (x86) (x64)

Doxillion File Converter ($$$, CS, ONG)

Explorer++ (FREE, OS, ONG) The current version is 1.3.5; support for Windows Vista will likely be terminated following version 1.4.

Feem (FREE, CS, ONG)

Free File Sync 10.11 (FREE, OS) Download here.

GoToTags (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG) Requires .NET Framework 4.6.2.

WinHTTrack (FREE, OS, ONG)

PeaZip (FREE, OS, ONG)

PowerArchiver ($$$, CS, ONG)

PowerArchiver Command Line ($$$, CS, ONG)

PowerArchiver for Office Add-ins (PAOP) ($$$, CS, ONG)

PowerArchiver Zip To Email ($$$, CS, ONG)

Send Anywhere 2.6.9 (FREE, CS) Download from vendor (Wayback Machine)

Tabbles (FREE, CS, ONG)

TagSpaces 2.1.1 (FREE, OS)

Universal Extractor (FREE, OS, ONG)

WinRAR ($$$, CS, ONG) 40-day trial available.

WinZip ($$$, CS, ONG)

WinZip Command Line (FREE, CS, ONG)

WinZip Courier ($$$, CS, ONG)

WinZip Self-Extractor ($$$, CS, ONG)

Zipware (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Cloud Storage Clients:

Attachmore (FREE, CS, ONG)

Backup and Sync from Google (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG)

CloudMe Sync (FREE, CS, ONG)

Megasync (FREE, CS, ONG)

Microsoft OneDrive Version 2017 Build 17.3.7076.1026 (FREE, CS) Requires SP2, Platform Update, and Platform Update supplement for Windows Vista/2008. Download from FileHippo here.

SugarSync 3.8.0.15297 (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Invoicing, Finance, and Business Management software:

ClickCharts Diagram & Flowchart ($$$, CS, ONG)

Copper Point of Sales ($$$, CS, ONG)

Express Accounts ($$$, CS, ONG)

Express Invoice ($$$, CS, ONG)

FlexiServer Productivity & Attendance ($$$, CS, ONG)

GnuCash 2.6.21 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor

H&R Block Tax Software ($$$, CS, ONG)

IBM SPSS Statistics 25 ($$$, CS, UNS)

Inventoria Inventory ($$$, CS, ONG)

MoneyLine Personal Finance ($$$, CS, ONG)

Money Manager EX (FREE, OS, ONG)

QuickBooks Desktop 2016 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2.

Reflect CRM Customer Database ($$$, CS, ONG)

Studio Tax 2018 ($$$, CS, ONG) Requires SP2.

TurboTax 2016 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2.

uFile ($$$, CS, ONG) Requires SP2.
 

Speech Recognition software:

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 ($$$, CS)

Express Dictate Digital Dictation Software ($$$, CS, ONG)

Voice Finger (FREE, CS) Has not been updated since 2013. Download from developer

Language Translation software:

Promt 18 ($$$, CS)

Rosetta Stone Language Learning ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG)

Rosetta Stone TOTALe ($$$, CS, ONG)

Weather Forecasting software:

WeatherBug (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Phone Integration and Management software:
AirDroid (FREE, CS, ONG)

Apowersoft Phone Manager 2.8.9 ($$$, CS) Download 2.8.4 here (a 2.8.9 installer cannot be located)

FJ Software Development MyPhoneExplorer (FREE, CS, ONG)

Mobizen PC (FREE, CS, ONG)

MTUX MyMobiler 0.9.8.2 for Android (FREE, CS) Download from vendor (Wayback Machine) - (Portable (Wayback Machine)

MTUX MyMobiler 1.25 for Windows Mobile (FREE, CS) Download from vendor (Wayback Machine) - (Portable (Wayback Machine)

Pushbullet (FREE, CS, ONG)

Samsung SideSync 4.7.5.244 (FREE, CS) Download from vendor

Unified Remote Server (FREE, CS, ONG)

Wondershare Dr. Fone ($$$, CS, ONG)

Wondershare MobileGo ($$$, CS, ONG)

Wondershare MobileTrans ($$$, CS, ONG)
 

Apple Software & Hardware Support (all software is FREE, CS) :

iCloud Control Panel 2.1.3 : Download archived installer here

iTunes 12.1.3.6 : Download from Apple: Vista 32-bit  Vista 64-bit
Limitations/issues:

• On 64-bit versions of Vista/2008, you must use the "older video cards" installer linked above. The normal release doesn't work.
• Starting with iTunes 11.2, you'll get Data Execution Prevention errors when closing the program.
• iTunes 12.1.3.x only supports devices released up to the iOS 9 era (2015). 
• If your older device runs iOS 10.0-10.1.1, you may backup and sync your device; upgrading/restoring doesn't work. Any device running iOS 10.2 or later will not work at all with iTunes 12.1.3.
• While you may still access the iTunes Store, signing in no longer works.

QuickTime 7.7.9 : Quicktime for Windows is abandoned as of this version. Visit this page to download from Apple.

Safari 5.1.7 : Safari for Windows is abandoned as of May 9, 2012. Download from FileHippo here.
 

NVIDIA GPU Drivers:

Recommended for GeForce 8, 9, 100, 200, & 300 series:

NVIDIA Display driver version 342.01 - Download: 32 bit   64 bit

Recommended for GeForce 400-900 series:

NVIDIA Display driver version 365.19 - Download: 32 bit  64 bit

Recommended for GeForce 1000 series, up to 1080ti:

NVIDIA Display driver version 372.70 - Download: 32 bit  64 bit
Note: DirectX applications aren't properly utilized by these drivers under Windows Vista, so this will cause a bottleneck in performance over using the GTX 980 or older, where the 365.19 drivers (more optimized for Vista as they're officially supported) can be used. Later drivers will not work on Windows Vista.
 

AMD/ATI GPU Drivers:

The first official version of ATI Catalyst to support Vista is version 7.1. The last official version of AMD Catalyst to support Vista is version 13.12 (Download: 32 bit  64 bit). However, newer versions up to 15.6 Beta for Windows 7 can be modified to work on Vista. View this thread for more details.
 

Hardware Identification and Temperature Management:

CPU-Z (FREE, CS, ONG)

GPU-Z (FREE, CS, ONG)

HWiNFO (FREE, CS, ONG)

HWMonitor (FREE, CS, ONG)

Logitech Gaming Software v8.96.88 (FREE, CS, UNS) Download from vendor: 32 bit  64 bit

OpenGL Extensions Viewer (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG)

Piriform Speccy (FREE, CS, ONG)

SpeedFan (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Benchmarking and System Stress-Testing software:

AIDA64, all editions ($$$, CS, ONG)

Cinebench 15.038 (FREE, CS) Download from vendor (Wayback Machine)

GeekBench ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG)

GFXBench GL (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG)

Passmark PerformanceTest ($$$, CS, ONG) 30 day evaluation available.

Prime95 (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Hard Drive Utilities:

• Windows Vista/2008 do NOT support TRIM for SSDs without third party software.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Lite (FREE, CS, ONG) Supports both client & Server Windows versions (Windows 2000 and up).

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional ($$$, CS, ONG) For client versions of Windows (such as Vista) only. Windows Server operating systems (such as Server 2008) aren't supported.

AOMEI Partition Assistant - Server & Unlimited editions ($$$, CS, ONG) Supports both client & Server Windows versions (Windows 2000 and up).

AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard (FREE, CS, ONG) For client versions of Windows (such as Vista) only. Windows Server operating systems (such as Server 2008) aren't supported.

DAEMON Tools Lite v10.2 ($$$, CS) Free version with reduced functionality is available for download from FileHippo here.

DAEMON Tools Pro v7.0 ($$$, CS) A download link (for the trial version) is unavailable; sorry for the inconvenience.

Diskeeper 12 Pro ($$$, CS) 

Diskeeper 16 Home Edition ($$$, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free (FREE, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Professional ($$$, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Technician ($$$, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Partition Master Free (FREE, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Partition Master Professional ($$$, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Partition Master Enterprise ($$$, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Todo Backup Free (FREE, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Todo Backup Home ($$$, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Todo Backup Enterprise ($$$, CS, ONG)

IOLO DriveScrubber ($$$, CS, ONG)

Piriform Recuva (FREE, CS, ONG)

Samsung Magician v4.9.7 (FREE, CS) Download from FileHorse here. Works with (supported) Samsung SSDs only.

SSD Tweaker; all editions ($$$ & FREE editions available, CS, ONG)
 

System Management, Cleanup, and Analysis:

Advanced PortChecker (FREE, OS, ONG)

Atribune ATF Cleaner 3.0.0.2 (FREE, CS) Download from MajorGeeks

Avast Cleanup / AVG TuneUp ($$$, CS, ONG)

Belarc Advisor (FREE, CS, ONG)

BleachBit (FREE, OS, ONG)

Chocolatey 0.9.9.8 (FREE, OS, UNS)

Comodo Cleaning Essentials (FREE, CS, ONG)

DeadPix (FREE, OS, ONG)

EaseUS Todo PCTrans Free (FREE, CS, ONG)

EaseUS Todo PCTrans Professional & EaseUS Todo PCTrans Technician ($$$, CS, ONG)

EasyBCD (FREE, CS, ONG)

Hard_Configurator (FREE, OS, ONG)

Inno Setup (FREE, OS, ONG)

IOLO Search and Recover ($$$, CS, ONG)

IOLO System Mechanic Business ($$$, CS, ONG)

Ketarin (FREE, OS, ONG)

KC Softwares BATExpert (FREE, CS, ONG)

KC Softwares HDDExpert (FREE, CS, ONG)

KC Softwares KCleaner (FREE, CS, ONG)

KC Softwares RAMExpert (FREE, CS, ONG)

KC Softwares Startup Sentinel (FREE, CS, ONG)

Network Monitor 3.4 (FREE, CS) Requires at least SP1 to be installed (SP2 recommended). To download from Microsoft, click here.

Orion File Recovery ($$$, CS, ONG)

Piriform CCleaner 5.64.7577 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Revo Uninstaller Free (FREE, CS, ONG)

SpeedTest App (FREE, CS, UNS, ONG)

SUMo Software Update monitor (FREE, CS, ONG)

System Mechanic Classic v16.0.0.10 ($$$, CS)

System Mechanic Professional Classic v15.5.0.61 ($$$, CS)

Windows NT Backup - Restore Utility (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: (x86) (x64)

WireShark 2.2.17 (FREE, CS) Download from vendor: (x86) (x64)

WPS Data Recovery Master ($$$, CS, ONG)

WSUS Offline Update 10.9.2 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here. While newer versions will run on Vista, this is the last version with which you may download updates for Windows Vista.
 

Bootable USB Flash Drive Creation Tools:

UNetbootin (FREE, OS, ONG)

Rufus 2.18 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor here: Rufus 2.18 installer - Portable version

Rufus 3.5.1433 (FREE, OS, UNS) Download from vendor here. Thanks to MSFN member UCyborg for making this version compatible with Vista.

WinSetupfromUSB (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Optical Disc Media Management software:

Alcohol 120% ($$$, CS, ONG)

AnyDVD HD ($$$, CS, ONG)

BurnAware Free (FREE, CS, ONG)

BurnAware Premium & BurnAware Professional ($$$, CS, ONG)

CDBurnerXP (FREE, CS, ONG)

CloneCD ($$$, CS, ONG)

dBpoweramp: CD Ripper ($$$, CS, ONG)

DVDFab ($$$, CS, ONG)

Express Burn ($$$, CS, ONG)

Express Rip ($$$, CS, ONG)

Golden Records ($$$, CS, ONG)

ImDisk Toolkit (FREE, OS, ONG)

IMGBurn (FREE, CS, ONG)

MagicDisc (FREE, CS, ONG)

MagicISO ($$$, CS, ONG)

MakeMKV ($$$, CS, ONG)

Nero 2019 Platinum ($$$, CS, UNS) Must use unofficial repacked version. Last official version to support Vista is Nero 2015.

Roxio Creator NXT 3  ($$$, CS, ONG)

UltraISO ($$$, CS, ONG)

WinCDEmu (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Game Distribution: 

Origin 2015 (FREE, CS) *Reduced functionality as of August 2016. For a list of what you can still do, visit this dvdhardware.net article.

Steam (Jan 4, 2019 build) (FREE, CS) To prevent Steam client updates, create a file using Notepad containing the following information: BootStrapperInhibitAll=Enable . Save it to the Steam folder as steam.cfg.
 

Games:

• Platform Update is required for DirectX 11 support.

Pre-Vista era (DX10/11 not utilized):

Serious Sam 2 ($$$, CS)

Star Wars Republic Commando ($$$, CS)

Last official release to run on Vista (sequels/updates do not support or work with Vista):

Battlefield 4 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2 & Platform Update.

BeamNG.Drive v0.15.0.6 ($$$, CS, UNS)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2.

Diablo III ($$$, CS) No longer supports or runs on Vista as of October 2017.

Hearthstone ($$$, CS) No longer supports or runs on Vista as of October 2017.

Heroes of the Storm ($$$, CS) No longer supports or runs on Vista as of October 2017.

How to Survive ($$$, CS)

Killing Floor ($$$, CS)

StarCraft II ($$$, CS) No longer supports or runs on Vista as of October 2017.

Wolfenstein: The New Order ($$$, CS, UNS)

Wolfenstein: The Old Blood ($$$, CS, UNS)

World of Warcraft ($$$, CS) No longer supports or runs on Vista as of October 2017.

Active Development:

• Future/upcoming sequels may not support Vista.

AssaultCube (FREE, CS, ONG)

Bioshock Infinite ($$$, CS, ONG)

Chivalry Medieval Welfare ($$$, CS, ONG)

Counter-Strike Global Offensive ($$$, CS, ONG)

Cuphead (GOG.com version) ($$$, CS, ONG)

Don't Starve Together ($$$, CS, ONG)

Doom 2016 ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG)

Dragon Ball Xenoverse ($$$, CS, ONG) 

Fallout 4 ($$$, CS, ONG)

Fallout Shelter ($$$, CS, ONG)

Goosebumps Dead of Night ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG)

GTA V ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG) Requires SP2 + Platform Update. Also requires a workaround for new versions as of Sept. 2019.

Just Cause 3 ($$$, CS, ONG)

Left 4 Dead 2 ($$$, CS, ONG)

Minecraft (FREE, CS, ONG)

One Late Night: Deadline ($$$, CS, ONG)

Planet Explorers ($$$, CS, ONG)

Portal 2 ($$$, CS, ONG)

Road Redemption ($$$, CS, ONG)

Serious Sam 3 BFE ($$$, CS, ONG)

Sonic Mania ($$$, CS, UNS, ONG)

Star Trek Online ($$$, CS, ONG)

SuperTuxKart (FREE, OS, ONG)
 

Outer Space Simulation software:

Google Earth Pro 7.3.2 (FREE, CS) Download here: 32 bit  64 bit

Outerra ($$$, CS, ONG)

Space Engine (FREE, CS, ONG)

Stellarium (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)
 

Console Emulators:

Gamecube/Wii Emulators:

Dolphin 5.0 (stable) (FREE, OS, UNS) 64-bit only. Download from vendor here.

PS2 Emulators:

PCSX2 (FREE, OS, ONG)

PSP Emulators:

PPSSPP (FREE, OS, ONG)
 

Software/Game Development:

Adobe AIR 29.0.0.112 (FREE, CS) Download here.

ApexSQL Diff 2017 R6 ($$$, CS) Requires SP2.

AutoHotkey (FREE, OS, ONG)

CryEngine V ($$$, OS) Requires SP2.

dnSpy (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)

Geany 1.3.2 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor

Java Development Kit 9.0.4 (FREE, OS, UNS) 64 bit only; 32 bit Windows is not supported. - Download here.

Java SE Runtime Environment 9.0.4 (FREE, OS, UNS) 64 bit only; 32 bit Windows is not supported. - Download here.

LLVM Compiler Infrastructure v3.7.1 (FREE, OS)

Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 SP1 ($$$, CS) View this Microsoft Support article to download the SP1 update.
 

System File Editors/Viewers:

EditPad Lite (FREE, CS, ONG)

HxD Hex Editor (FREE, CS, ONG)

Resource Hacker (FREE, OS, ONG)
 

BitTorrent/P2P Clients:

BitComet (FREE, CS, ONG)

BitTorrent (FREE, CS, ONG)

BitTorrent Resilio Sync 2.0.93 (FREE, CS) Download from FileHippo

BitTorrent Sync Pro 2.0.93 ($$$, CS)

eMule (FREE, OS, ONG)

qBittorrent 4.1.9.1 (FREE, OS) Download here.

Tixati (FREE, CS, ONG)

Transmission 2.94 (FREE, OS) Download here: x86  x64

uTorrent (FREE, CS, ONG)

Vuze (FREE, OS, ONG)
 

FTP Clients:

BitComet (FREE, CS, ONG)

CuteFTP (FREE, CS, ONG)

CyberDuck (FREE, OS, ONG)

FileZilla 3.39.0 (FREE, OS, UNS)

Fling FTP ($$$, CS, ONG)

FTP Voyager (FREE, CS, ONG)

SmartFTP ($$$, CS, ONG)

Total Commander (FREE, CS, ONG)

WinSCP (FREE, OS, ONG)
 

VPN Clients: 

HideMe VPN (FREE, CS, ONG)

Logmein Hamachi (FREE, CS, ONG)

OpenVPN v. 2.4.6-I602 (FREE, OS, UNS)

Private Internet Access Client v75 (FREE, CS)

TorGuard VPN (FREE, CS, ONG)

TunnelBear ($$$, CS, ONG)

Tunngle (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Window Management software:

Actual Window Manager ($$$, CS, ONG)

Aerosnap 0.61 Beta (FREE, CS) Somewhat buggy. To download from Softpedia, click here.

AquaSnap 1.17.1 (FREE & $$$ versions available, CS) Personal Edition is free for home use, and has reduced functionality. Professional Edition requires purchase after 60 minute trial period. 
To download from the vendor, click one of the following: MSI File  Portable Installation

Ave's Thumbnail Sizer (FREE, OS) Download from developer

Ave's Vista Folder Background (FREE, CS) Download from developer

DisplayFusion v8.1.2 (FREE & $$$ versions available, CS) Download from vendor here. Also requires KB2763674 to be installed.

QuizoApps QTTabBar 1.2.2.1 (FREE, CS) Download from vendor

Taskbar Shuffle v2.5 (FREE, CS) Download here.

Ultramon ($$$, CS, ONG) To download 30-day trial version from vendor, click here.
 

Desktop Enhancement software:

Bing Desktop 1.3.478.0 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft (archived by the Wayback Machine)

Classic Shell 3.6.8 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor's SourceForge page here.

CoolSoft PDF Property Extension (FREE, CS, ONG)

Ditto Clipboard Manager (FREE, CS, ONG)

Fences 2 ($$$, CS) Folder portals and pages functionality requires Windows 7 or later.

f.lux (FREE, CS, ONG)

Icaros Shell Extensions 3.1.0 & 3.1.1 Beta (FREE, CS) Download here.

LightBulb (FREE, OS, UNS, ONG)

ObjectDock 2 ($$$, CS)

Rainmeter 3.3.3 (FREE, OS) Download from vendor

RTT PDF-ShellTools ($$$, CS, ONG)

SageThumbs (FREE, OS, ONG)

Seer (FREE, CS, ONG)

Softpointer AudioShell (FREE, CS, ONG)

Sysinternals Desktops v2.0 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft

Start++ 0.8.1 by Brandon Paddock (FREE, CS) Download from developer (Wayback Machine)

Universal Theme Patcher (FREE, CS)

Vista Visual Master (FREE, CS)

VoidTools Everything (FREE, CS, ONG)

Winaero Cursor Commander (FREE, CS, ONG) Download from developer

WindowBlinds 7.4 ($$$, CS) Download from FileHorse

X-Mouse Controls (FREE, CS, ONG)
 

Additional Microsoft software/utilities:

Administrative Template (.admx) files for Windows Vista (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft

Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 (FREE, CS) ISO file; does not require to be mounted or run under Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 but it is the last version for NT 6.0. Download from Microsoft

Autoruns (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft

Exchange Server 2010 ($$$, CS)

IntelliPoint 8.2 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft:  32 bit  64 bit

IntelliType Pro 8.2 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: 32 bit  64 bit

Microsoft Camera Codec Pack 6.3.9721.0 (FREE, CS) Requires SP2. Download from Microsoft: (x86) (x64) 

Microsoft Expression Web 4 (FREE, CS) Download archived installer here.

Microsoft Lync 2010 ($$$, CS) Download archived installer here.

Microsoft Mathematics 4.0 (FREE, CS) Requires SP2. To download from Microsoft, click here.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.0 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft here.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.1 (FREE, CS, UNS) Download from Microsoft here.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2 (FREE, CS, UNS) Requires special procedures to be installed.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 (FREE, CS, UNS) Requires special procedures to be installed.

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 (FREE, CS, UNS) Requires special procedures to be installed.

Microsoft Photo Story 3 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft

Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows Vista SP1+ (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: (x86) (x64)

Microsoft Silverlight 5.1.50907.0 (FREE, CS)

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2013 ($$$, CS) 

Microsoft SyncToy 2.1 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: (x86) (x64)

Microsoft Visual c++ Redistributable for Visual Studio (FREE, CS, ONG)

Microsoft Windows Dynamic Cache Service 1.0.3 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft - Additional information here and here.

Microsoft Windows Live Essentials 2011 (FREE, CS) To download, use Windows Update. Some components no longer work, such as Messenger and Mail.

Microsoft Windows Preview Handler Pack (for AS, ASPX, BAT, CMD, CS, CSS, DIFF, JS, PATCH, RB, RHTML, RJS, SQL, and VB files) (FREE, CS) Download from CodePlex

MSDN Sample Preview Handlers (for BIN, CSV, MSI, PDF, XAML, XML, XPS, and ZIP files) (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft (archived by the Wayback Machine)

Process Explorer (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft

Process Monitor (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft

Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 (FREE, CS) *For Windows Vista only, Server 2008 is not supported.* Requires Vista SP1 to be installed (SP2 recommended). Download here.

Search Server 2010 ($$$, CS) Requires Windows Server 2008 SP2; Vista is not supported. 

SharePoint 2010 ($$$, CS) Download trial from Microsoft here.

SharePoint Designer 2010 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: (x86) (x64)

Speech Platform Runtime Languages 11 (FREE, CS) To download from Microsoft, click here.

SQL Server 2012 ($$$, CS)

Sysinternals Suite (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft

Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel (FREE, CS) Download here.

Visio Viewer 2010 (FREE, CS) Requires SP2. Download here.

Windows Easy Transfer 7 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: (x86) (x64)

Windows Help (WinHelp32) for Windows Vista (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: (x86) (x64)

Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: 32 bit  64 bit

Windows Powershell 2.0 (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft here.

Windows Powershell 3.0 (FREE, CS) Supports Windows Server 2008 SP2 ONLY. Windows Vista is not supported. To download from Microsoft, click here.

Windows Speech Recognition Macros (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft

Windows SteadyState 2.5 (FREE, CS) (x86 only). Download from the Wayback Machine.

Windows USB/DVD Download Tool (FREE, CS) To download from Microsoft, click here.

XML Paper Specification Essentials Pack 1.2 (FREE, CS) Does not work on Server 2008. Click here to download from Microsoft.
 

Microsoft Office Add-ins & Tools:

Calendar Printing Assistant for Outlook (FREE, CS) Requires SP2. To download from Microsoft, click here.

Junk Mail Reporting Add-in for Microsoft Outlook (FREE, CS) Download from Microsoft: Office 2003 x86, Office 2007+ x86, Office 2007+ x64

Microsoft Mathematics Add-In for Word and OneNote (FREE, CS) Requires SP2. Supports Microsoft OneNote 2010 and Word 2007/Word 2010.

Office File Validation Add-in for Microsoft Office 2003 SP3 and Microsoft Office 2007 SP2 (FREE, CS) Requires Office 2003 SP3 or Office 2007 SP2. For client Windows versions only (Server 2008 isn't supported).

Office 2010 Filter Packs (FREE, CS) Requires at least SP1 to be installed (SP2 recommended). To download from Microsoft, click here.

Outlook 2007/2003/2002 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup (FREE, CS) Requires Office XP, 2003, or 2007. Server 2008 is not supported. Download from Microsoft here.

PowerPoint Viewer 2010 (FREE, CS) Requires at least SP1 to be installed (SP2 recommended). 

Search Commands Add-In for Office 2007 and Office 2010 (FREE, CS) No longer being maintained, UNS on Server 2008. Download from Microsoft here.

Word Viewer 2010 (FREE, CS) Download from archived Microsoft download page here. No longer receives security updates as of November 2017.

I do have usb 3.0 drivers and nvme/sata ahci drivers I used to install win 7,  I saw the compatibility cpu list and I have ryzen 7 but how do I integrate these drivers into win vista install disc to make keyboard and mice usb 3.0 recognizable and the modern ssd and nvme disks?

Thank you

Long live vista

I just noticed today that all of a sudden I can't switch between languages, and the Language Bar won't appear no matter weather I choose to have it in the Task Bar or Floating in Language and Regional Settings!

Note: This problem is unique to Windows XP and Vista, 7 and newer don't have this issue.

First, install SP2 for Office 2010 if you don't have it installed yet (you should see it on WU already):

For x86 (32-bit):

SP2 for Office 2010 x86

For x64 (64-bit):

SP2 for Office 2010 x64

If you now have SP2 installed or already had it installed beforehand:

To fix the WU issue, you'll have to download and install these two updates for Office 2010 SP2 prior to checking for updates (Office 2010 SP2 must be installed already!):

For x86 (32-bit):

Security Update for Microsoft Word 2010 (KB4493218) 32-Bit Edition and Security Update for Microsoft Excel 2010 (KB3017810) 32-Bit Edition

For x64 (64-bit):

Security Update for Microsoft Word 2010 (KB4493218) 64-Bit Edition and Security Update for Microsoft Excel 2010 (KB3017810) 64-Bit Edition

After installing the two updates, it's recommended to restart your computer.

If you installed the two updates:

Open Windows/Microsoft Update and check for updates, you should see updates for Office 2010 SP2 after waiting a while. Yay! 

You should now update Office 2010 to its final updates. But if you're on XP, read below (hint: it's not good news).

This has been successfully tested on a Vista VM with Office 2010 SP2 installed.

If you're doing this on XP, be aware that the newer updates for Office 2010 SP2 break the Office 2010 programs (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) on XP.

Go here for more info

Personally, on XP, I stick with Office 2007 because those newer Office 2010 updates break Office, as stated above.

All the credits for the Extended Kernel go to @win32, not me.

Disclaimer: I take absolutely no responsibility for any damage to your PC (or laptop or whatever) caused by following/misfollowing this tutorial. Backup everything before continuing.

Special thanks to @winvispixp for guide improvement suggestions.

List of Vista-unsupported programs that work with the extended kernel

version 03092023 (current):

Note: for best stability it's recommended to go for the October 2022 version (10192022) and only install 64-bit files, and also don't install ole32.dll (see step 8)

For compatibility with the Second System go for the October 2022 version (10192022), only install 64-bit files, and also don't install ntoskrnl.exe, dxgi.dll and ole32.dll

For compatibility with newer ESU updates go for the October 2022 version (10192022), only install 64-bit files, and replace ntoskrnl.exe with an original version 6.0.6003.20555 and don't install ole32.dll

Preparations:

1.       Prepare a .7z extracting program (for  example 7-zip).

2.       Prepare Ubuntu or Linux Mint installation CD (for method 2 and uninsallation).

3.       Update your Vista to 2017 EOL version (especially install sp1,sp2 and the platform update).

4.       (Optional) You can install some server 2008 updates if you want. List of compatible updates by @LiptonAcer

5.       (Optional but highly recommended) Install KB4019478 - D3Dcompiler-x64 update, .NET Framework 4.6.1 and 3.5, DirectX June 2010 redistributable and all the Visual C++ redistributables 64 and 32 bit.

6.       Install SHA-2 Server 2008 updates in the following order: KB4039648-v2,KB4493730, KB4474419.

7.       Backup your original files.

8.       Extract the vistaexkernsetup_03092023.7z file (or vistaexkernsetup_10192022.7z if you are installing October 2022 version) into any folder you like (later called folder X).

Method 1 - Automatic installation

Method 1 involves using the Installer. If you are facing some problems, use alternative installer by @Bizzbob or method 2 instead. If you don't want to install 32-bit extended kernel, use method 2.

1.       Copy your original kernel32.dll located in %systemroot%\syswow64, rename it to kernelol.dll and put the new file in syswow64

2.       Run the setup.exe as administrator. (These steps do not apply to @Bizzbob's installer)

3.       Follow the instructions on your computer’s screen.

4.       Make sure that files like kernel32.dll are present in %systemroot%\system32. If they are not, use method 2.

5.       Reboot the computer.

6.       Repair file permissions.

7.       Congratulations, enjoy

Method 2 - Manual installation

Method 2 involves using the Ubuntu live CD. The reason why we use Ubuntu and not another windows installation is because Ubuntu doesn’t support NTFS file permissions and thus ignores them completely making file replacing much easier.

1.       Launch cmd.exe as administrator and run the following command without quotes: “bcdedit /set {current} nointegritychecks yes”.

2.       Insert Ubuntu installation disk Either CD or USB (AKA live CD).

3.       Reboot into the Ubuntu live CD.

4.       Choose: “Try Ubuntu”.

5.       On the top bar go to: Places\Computer. (This may differ depending on version of Ubuntu you have).

6.       Locate folder X and copy all the dll and exe files from the folder X (EXCEPT setup.exe and files, that have filename ending with .wow64) to yourpartition:\windows\system32, click replace when prompted (make sure you have a backup).

7.       If your Vista is UEFI, do the same for winload.efi.

8.      (Optional) Move all the .wow64 files from the folder X to a different directory and remove .wow64 from their name, than copy them to yourpartition:\windows\SysWOW64, click replace when prompted (Right now 32bit extended kernel is in a very early stage of development, so personally I don’t recommend it for daily usage).

9.       Shut down Ubuntu and boot Windows.

10.     Repair file permissions.

11.     Congratulations, enjoy

Method 3 - Redirection

If you don’t want to replace your system files, you can make specific programs use extended kernel dlls instead of vanilla Vista ones using local redirection. Unfortunately  this method doesn’t let you run most of the new applications, that file replacing would do (for example there is a problem with exe files that spawn from another and many other).

1.       Apply the DLLredirectionenabler.reg.

2.       For each application you want to run with the extended kernel, do the following:

3.       For exefilesname.exe create an exefilesname.exe.local folder.

4.       Put files from folder X in the exefilesname.exe.local folder.

5.       Congratulations, enjoy

Repairing file permissions

Automatic tool

If you visit system32 after the installation you will probably notice that permissions for extended kernel files look like this:

Obviously letting “Everyone” to modify your core system files causes a serious security issue so it is necessary to restore the default file permissions pattern:

The owner should be: “nt service\Trustedinstaller”.

Example:

1.       Locate %systemroot%\system32\kernel32.dll

2.       Open properties and under security tab click “Advanced”.

3.       Make sure that “Include inheritable permissions from this object’s parent” checkbox is disabled.

4.       Close the advanced window and click “edit”

5.       Remove “Everyone” and other account that are not in the default pattern.

6.       Add  “Users” and “Administrators” accounts and set permissions for them to match the default pattern. The names have to be in your language. Look at other system files if you don’t know how to spell the words.

7.       Add “SYSTEM” account and set permissions for it to match the default pattern.

8.       Add “nt service\Trustedinstaller” account and set permissions for it to match the default pattern. They are different this time.

9.       Click “OK”.

10.   Open properties and under security tab click “Advanced” again.

11.   Under  “Owner” tab click “edit” than “Other users or groups”.

12.   Enter “nt service\Trustedinstaller” without quotes.

13.   Click “OK”.

14.   Congratulations!

Do the same for other files:

If you have installed only 64 extended kernel than you have to restore file permissions only in system32 for the following files that you have replaced:

• ci.dll
• dwmapi.dll
• kernel32.dll
• ntdll.dll
• ntk32.dll
• ntoskrnl.exe
• ole32.dll
• powrprof.dll
• shell32.dll
• user32.dll
• uxtheme.dll
• winload.efi
• winload.exe
• api-ms-win-core-fibers-l1-1-0.dll
• advapi32.dll
• dxgi.dll
• dxgiext.dll
• api-ms-win-core-synch-l1-2-0.dll
• API-MS-WIN-CORE-WINRT-ERROR-L1-1-0.dll
• API-MS-WIN-CORE-WINRT-ERROR-L1-1-1.dll
• API-MS-WIN-CORE-WINRT-L1-1-0.dll
• API-MS-WIN-CORE-WINRT-STRING-L1-1-0.dll
• api-ms-win-shcore-scaling-l1-1-1.dll
• bcrypt.dll
• shcore.dll
• userenv.dll
• useren0.dll
• kernel33.dll
• jobsrv.exe
• gdi33.dll
• gdi32.dll
• dwritent60.dll
• dwritent10.dll
• DWrite.dll
• api-ms-win-core-memory-l1-1-6.dll
• api-ms-win-core-memory-l1-1-5.dll
• api-ms-win-core-fibers-l1-1-0.dll
• api-ms-win-core-delayload-l1-1-1.dll
• api-ms-win-core-delayload-l1-1-0.dll

If you have installed 32 bit extended kernel than you also have to restore access rights in syswow64 too (for the following files that you have replaced):

• kernel32.dll
• powrprof.dll
• ole32.dll
• shell32.dll
• user32.dll
• uxtheme.dll
• dwmapi.dll
• ntext.dll
• powrprof.dll
• shellnew.dll
• ntk32.dll
• miscstubs.dll
• ws2_33.dll
• ws2_32.dll
• user33.dll
• shell33.dll
• shcore.dll

These are the final names for those files, remember that some of them have to be renamed during the installation as described in the guide.

Optional Extended Kernel components

d3d12.dll - This is DirectX 12 for Windows 7. You can copy it to system32. It does not work on Vista, but can be useful for Windows 8 users.

Windows 7 Media Foundation Platform - This is needed for video codec support in some programs like Firefox. Making the Windows 7 mfplat system wide by installing it causes problems with Windows Media Player and Dremscene, so it's recommended to use redirection method instead:

1.       Apply the DLLredirectionenabler.reg.

2.       For each application you want to run with the Windows 7 mfplat, do the following:

3.       For exefilesname.exe create an exefilesname.exe.local folder.

4.       Extract the mfplatsetup.7z and copy all the dlls it contains to the exefilesname.exe.local folder.

5.       Congratulations, enjoy

378.66_Vista and 398.11_Vista - Modfied Nvidia drivers for Vista. More details: https://msfn.org/board/topic/184056-breakthrough-p2-new-pascal-special-microsoft-nvidia-driver-port-for-vista-x64/

Windows Version Spoofer

Version spoofer allows you to fool programs into thinking that you are running a newer version of Windows!

1. Create an empty file called "osver.ini" (without quotes) in the %systemroot% folder.
2. Put contents of the template below in your file.
3. Adjust the template depending on your needs.

Template:

[Path to an exe file]
Commandname=1 

[Path to another exe file]
Commandname=1 

[global]
Commandname=1

List of supported commands:

Enabled (this one is always needed)

MajorVersion

MinorVersion

BuildNumber

CSDVersion

PlatformId (2 is used to indicate that the OS is Windows NT. 1 represents 9x and 0 represents Win32s)

to spoof Windows 7 sp1, use:

Enabled=1
MajorVersion=6
MinorVersion=1
BuildNumber=7601

Windows 8.0

Enabled=1
MajorVersion=6
MinorVersion=2
BuildNumber=9200

Windows 8.1

Enabled=1
MajorVersion=6
MinorVersion=3
BuildNumber=9600

Windows 10 (the build number depends on the Windows 10 version, that you want to spoof)

Enabled=1
MajorVersion=10
MinorVersion=0
BuildNumber=19044

Windows 11 (the build number depends on the Windows 11 version, that you want to spoof)

Enabled=1
MajorVersion=10
MinorVersion=0
BuildNumber=22000

Example:

[C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe]
Enabled=1
MajorVersion=6
MinorVersion=1
BuildNumber=7601

[global]

Common errors

• If you're using an ISO from MSDN you may encounter an error "The ordinal 899 could not be located in the dynamic link library SHELL32.dll" while booting. you need to swap the explorer.exe from C:\Windows with the one called "replacement explorer".
• This error appears, when winload.exe's signature is different from the one expected by Windows. Make sure you have run this command: “bcdedit /set {current} nointegritychecks yes” and that you have replaced all of the required files.
• Make sure you have all the necessary updates installed.

List of Vista-compatible programs that don’t work with the extended kernel.

Windows Sidebar (resolvable):

1.       Apply the DLLredirectionenabler.reg.

2.       Create a "sidebar.exe.local" folder in %programfiles%\Windows Sidebar\ .

3.       Copy your backup ole.dll to the "sidebar.exe.local" folder.

4.       Congratulations, enjoy

CPU-Z (old Extended Kernel version) - https://msfn.org/board/topic/183046-guide-vista-extended-kernel-installation/?do=findComment&comment=1207488

Kaspersky antivirus - https://msfn.org/board/topic/181612-wip-windows-vista-extended-kernel/page/112/

VirtualBox (as a host) - VirtualBox checks if system files were signed by Microsoft. (it is called "hardering")

Windows Live Photo Gallery (only if you install 32-bit extended kernel)

Feel free to report other programs.

How to uninstall the extended kernel?

Method 1

1. If you used Method 1 durning installation, the dlls were automatically backed up as [nameofdll].dll.bak. You just need to delete the extended kernel dll and then change the name of the vanilla one (delete the .bak extension; it should look like [nameofdll].dll after)
2. Repair File permissions

Method 2

1. Follow the Method 2 steps, but instead of copying extended kernel files, put your backup files back in system32 (or SysWOW64 if you are uninstalling the 32bit extended kernel)
2. Repair file permissions.

Method 3

1. Alternatively, file replacement can be done using Windows Vista PE.
2. Boot from CD or USB
3. Choose your keyboard layout and on the next screen click "Repair my Computer" and choose CMD.
4. You can use 7-Zip or Notepad's "save as" dialog as GUI
5. Put your backup files back in system32 (or SysWOW64 if you are uninstalling the 32bit extended kernel)
6. Repair file permissions

Old versions

First a little bit of history/background:

PM Timer (ACPI Power Management timer) is a high-latency timer used in Windows 2000 days, it clocks at 3.579545 Mhz

TSC is a low-latency timer on the CPU, originally, it clocked at the same freq as the CPU, it is used by Windows XP by default

So when CPUs started downclocking to save power TSC would also downclock, that's why with Vista Microsoft opted for:

HPET is a high-latency timer on the motherboard, used by Windows Vista, it clocks at for example 14.31818 MHz on Ivy-Bridge and 19.200000 Mhz on Alder Lake, it is unstable on newer Intel platforms. Vista fallbacks to PM timer when HPET is not available

Invariant TSC is a TSC (low-latency) that always clocks at the CPU's base freq regardless of whether it pawer-saves or turboes, it is used by Windows 7+, but Windows XP can use it too as it would an old-school TSC. On older platforms where TSC is not invariant Windows 7 uses HPET just like Vista

Windows 7 still uses HPET to sync TSC from time to time, but XP can still work stable on newer system without it so Vista should also be able to if forced to use TSC.

Benchmarks were performed on 12th gen Alder Lake i5-12600, DDR5-4800MT/s, NVIDIA 3090

Windows 10 has all of it's new security mitigations that impact performance disabled, all systems are debloated, all systems have Meltdown/Spectre patches disabled/ not applited, BIOS patch that allows Vista and 7 to properly use turbo on Alder Lake is applied

The benchmark was Cinebench R15 OpenGL, with a 3090 this benchmark is almost exclusively CPU-bottlenecked

Here are the results (a median run out of 3 for each config), lowest to highest

215.15 FPS - Windows 10 HPET

221.91 FPS - Windows 8.0 HPET

234.92 FPS - Windows Vista HPET

242.84 FPS - Windows 10 TSC

257.58 FPS - Windows 8.0 TSC

Vista TSC is dnf cause I don't know of any way to force it to use it, the code could still be there left from XP times.

Vista HPET on ivy-bridge usually scores higher than 10 TSC, but lower than Windows 7 TSC, Windows 8.0 TSC also wins there being marginally better than 7, but I don't have all of those systems installed on ivy-bridge to provide a benchmark right now, and these are results I remember from back when I did

This makes sense since when I run falco PhenomII Tweaker's Timer Check (Tweaker is only for AMD PhenomII, but timer check is universal), it runs a benchmark of running 1 Million QueryPerformanceCounter calls.

On Alder Lake it takes 2243ms, whiles on Ivy-bridge around 750ms, So Intel's new HPET is around 3 times slower than the old one

Now, after @win32 created his new patch for Haswell+ Vista instability Vista is now very much usable on 12th gen Intel - there is absolutely 0 serious crashes but the stability is not yet perfect - 3 services and startup programs still sometimes fail to start.

So the question is obviously how to force TSC on Vista for improved stability and performance?

On Vista, Programs WinSAT & Dreamscene keep crashing due to dll d3d9.dll

On Windows XP the only issue I've had is with camtasia studio but i can turn off DirectX accelerations and it works fine

I've tried swapping out the ATI card that came with my computer for the NVIDIA one but still same error

On Windows 7 & up this doesn't happen

Where can I find USB 3 drivers for Windows Vista? Windows 7 and even XP gets love for this matter, but I cannot find a comprehensive source for Vista.

Before running the latest browsers, you need to install the extended kernel from @win32

As we know, initially on newer versions of Firefox and Pale Moon, some built-in codecs in Windows Vista do not work, since the Firefox development team simply removed some of the Windows Vista codecs part of the code from the browser. As a result, some sites (including Twitch, Twitter) stopped displaying videos. To fix this, download this archive and extract it to your Firefox or Pale Moon root folder. It simply replaces two files, thanks to which videos or broadcasts will work on those sites on which it did not work.

i5-8400

MSI B360M PRO-VDH

Radeon RX Vega 56

NVMe (windows 11)

SATA SSD (windows vista)

SATA SSD (macOS Tahoe)

2x SATA HDD (media)

)

The installer boots fine and installs fine but when trying to boot vista it restarts after crcdisk.sys

what shall I do?

Recently, I've been trying to get the Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) of my old laptop to work in Windows Vista. The laptop in question is a Lenovo IdeaPad 100-15IBY 80MJ with Intel Celeron N2840 and, of course, Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail). Even though this laptop may not be a very time-accurate machine for Windows Vista, as it was intended for Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 and doesn't officially support Windows Vista, given how low-end and relatively old it is, I was still hoping to turn it into a Vista-capable little power-efficient machine for lighter gaming. I was able to get Windows Vista to install just fine, using the Windows Vista for Surface Pro 1 ISO available at the Internet Archive (essentially a modded Windows 10 ISO with Windows Vista install.wim). Original Windows Vista ISOs wouldn't work as they gave me the 0x80070070 error as soon as the Copying files step ends during installation, regardless of whether I used a bootable USB or copied the installation files to a separate partition on my SATA SSD or SATA HDD.

I didn't run into any of the bugs that are encountered in newer Haswell and later Intel CPUs, and I was able to find and install drivers for the touchpad and Ethernet just fine, and even one for the WIFI card with a little .inf file tweak. However, one very essential driver that I couldn't get to work at all, even using NTOSKRNL Emu_Extender, is the Intel HD Graphics driver. Despite supposedly compiling ntoskrn8.sys for Windows Vista with no errors, configuring the .inf file and modifying the .sys files of the Display Audio and Graphics driver with CFF Explorer for them to "use" the ntoskrn8.sys and "install" on Windows Vista, I still couldn't get a functional graphics driver on Windows Vista. Paradoxically, the user Aerostaitk from the board.eclipse.cx forum was reportedly able to get the 15.33.35.64/10.18.10.4176 driver to work on his Lenovo IdeaPad 100-15IBY. The difference is that his laptop has a Pentium N3540 instead of Celeron N2840, but both CPUs are Bay Trail, so it doesn't matter (I think). Sadly, I've tried both the latest 10.18.10.5161 and the 10.18.10.4176, but everytime I tried to install them with the aforementioned steps using the Device Manager's Update device function, I was greeted with the Code 39 error. What would usually happen is that the driver will "successfully install" at first, but after restarting the OS, I would be greeted with the Code 39 problem. Disabling the Driver Signature Enforcement also didn't help.

Drivers that use the old control panel, including the one available at the Windows Vista Extended Kernel website, don't work with Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) in any form, even in newer Windows versions, despite the fact that the Bay Trail iGPU is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture.

I'll also point out that I cannot install Windows 7 DDK v7.1.0 via Windows Vista, so can only compile the ntoskrn8.sys file in Windows 7 and later. Oh, and CFF Explorer would only detect the ntoskrn8.sys file if it's placed in the Windows/System32 folder unlike NTOSKRNL Emu_Extender's suggestion of placing it in the Drivers folder.

Finally, I'm posting some images down below that showcase my attempt at installing a driver for Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail) on Windows Vista, so that you can let me know if I'm doing something wrong, and if that's the case, I'm willing to see your suggestions. Cheers!

Compiling the ntoskrn8.sys file:

The driver (for reference):

Modifying the .sys files and the .inf file of the 15.33.35.64 driver to "work" in Windows Vista:

Code 39:

Spoofed osver.ini + error in driver setup:

Proof that the laptop in question is indeed a Lenovo IdeaPad 100-15IBY with Intel Celeron N2840 and Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail):

I recently got myself a Fujitsu-Siemens Celsius H250. I got it mostly for 2000s gaming, as well as to run older software without VM hassle. The machine itself is great; with a Core 2 Duo and Quadro FX 570M, it performs really well, even by today's standards.

 However, I'm facing two problems with drivers. First, the Fujitsu drivers website itself. Most drivers there either don't work, work partially, or don't exist. For example, Bluetooth drivers are nowhere to be found. WLAN drivers for the Atheros card are downloadable and installable, but they don't connect to any wireless network (I found drivers that do work). However, the biggest problems were the Bluetooth and fingerprint software. I found a Bluetooth driver from a Toshiba Tecra; it works, detects the hardware, but when discovering devices, I see a blank page or a message that the Discovery Service couldn't start. Most important is the fingerprint software. I searched everywhere and tried installing everything, but it doesn't work. Drivers from the Fujitsu website install and detect the fingerprint sensor, but I can't find software to make it work. I think I need AuthenTec True Suite software, but I can't find it. I tried Lenovo software; it detects that I'm not using Lenovo hardware and refuses to start. I tried an older version supposedly compatible with Windows 7 x64, but it refuses to start on my Vista Ultimate x64. The AuthenTec website is gone, and Internet Archive installers also require Windows 7 x64.

So, I have three questions:

1. Is there a website where I can normally find drivers for this hardware?

2. Can I find a Bluetooth driver with Toshiba branding that would allow me to use a Bluetooth device normally? (Vista includes its own Bluetooth control panel, so that might be the easiest solution.)

3. Can someone direct me to the Authentec TrueSuite software, or any other software that would allow me to use the fingerprint sensor? I know I could ignore it, but I want to get as close as possible to a stock experience.

Thank you for any help in advance!

i have only tested on Intel HD 4600 but should work on other haswell based gpu

download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LVRpJRQd3kn9Jotb6I638vdPjysk30Vn/view?usp=sharing

for 64bit vista (XP compatibility should be broken now.)

EDIT: I should mention there is no setup, You have to use Device Manager to install it.

EDIT 2: I also forgot to mention it should show up as "Intel Haswell Graphics GT2" or something similar. This is normal.

EDIT 3: Supported CPU list below

Quote

This download is valid for the product(s) listed below.

    Intel® Core™ i3-4000M Processor (3M Cache, 2.40 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4005U Processor (3M Cache, 1.70 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4010U Processor (3M Cache, 1.70 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4010Y Processor (3M Cache, 1.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4012Y Processor (3M Cache, 1.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4020Y Processor (3M Cache, 1.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4025U Processor (3M Cache, 1.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4030U Processor (3M Cache, 1.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4030Y Processor (3M Cache, 1.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4100M Processor (3M Cache, 2.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4100U Processor (3M Cache, 1.80 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4110M Processor (3M Cache, 2.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4120U Processor (3M Cache, 2.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i3-4158U Processor (3M Cache, 2.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4200H Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4200M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4200U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4200Y Processor (3M Cache, up to 1.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4202Y Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4210H Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4210M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.20 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4210U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.70 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4210Y Processor (3M Cache, up to 1.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4220Y Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4250U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4258U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4260U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.70 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4278U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4288U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4300M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4300U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4300Y Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4302Y Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4308U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4310M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4310U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4330M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4340M Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4350U Processor (3M Cache, up to 2.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i5-4360U Processor (3M Cache, up to 3.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4500U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4510U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.10 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4550U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4558U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4578U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4600M Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4600U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4610M Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4610Y Processor (4M Cache, up to 2.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4650U Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4700HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4700MQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4702HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.20 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4702MQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.20 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4710HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4710MQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4712HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4712MQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4720HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4722HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4750HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.20 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4760HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.30 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4770HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4800MQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4810MQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4850HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4860HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4870HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4900MQ Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4910MQ Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4930MX Processor Extreme Edition (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4940MX Processor Extreme Edition (8M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4950HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.60 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4960HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz)
    Intel® Core™ i7-4980HQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz)

 

So here's how to install 64-bit PowerShell 7 on Windows Vista with Extended Kernel. You MUST use EXACLY version 7.2.2. If you want to know why is that, go to the section why 7.2.2?, but for now here's a

Quick step-by-step guide:

1. Install Windows Vista Extended Kernel October 2022 x64 version if you haven't already  (only x64 files are needed, less stable x86 ones not required) https://msfn.org/board/topic/183046-guide-vista-extended-kernel-installation/

2. Download zipped version of PowerShell 7.2.2 (PowerShell-7.2.2-win-x64.zip) from GitHub https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/releases/tag/v7.2.2

3. Extract it somewhere, from now on this somewhere is assumed to be "C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7\" so that the path to the main executable is "C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7\pwsh.exe"

4. Add this to your osver.ini in C:\Windows (if it's not there create it)

[C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7\pwsh.exe]
Enabled=1
MinorVersion=1

5. Add "C:\Program Files\PowerShell\7" without quotes to your system Path. To do that go to ControlPanel -> System and Maintenance -> System -> System Properties -> Advanced (it's a tab) -> Environmental Variables. Look for the Path variable and add the aforementioned path to other things after a semicolon ( ; ), thats how things are separated there.

6. Download and unzip this special shortcut https://forum.legacydev.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=231 and put it in "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Windows PowerShell" so that it appears in the start menu next to the old-school WindowsPowerShell. You can also put it in "%appdata%\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch" to add it to quick launch.

The 2 things that are special about the shortcut I've made are:

• It launches cmd to launch PowerShell, which is a workaround to a problem with 7.2.2 more in why 7.2.2?
• It behaves like a WindowsPowerShell window, so it has a range select feature and the iconic PowerShell blue color.

7. Enjoy

Why 7.2.2?

So you could just install 7.2.17, 7.2.24 or any other newer 7.2.x version, and it would work fine... mostly

But sometimes those versions hang on startup and never launch staying in a non-functional state which even takes a few seconds when you decide close it. On some machines like 9/10 launch tries are successful on some almost none.

There are even reports of this occurring on Windows 10:

https://old.reddit.com/r/PowerShell/comments/v6arrr/powershell_72x_almost_always_hangs_when_launched/?rdt=40615

https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell/issues/17558

But I've managed to reproduce this issue only on Windows Vista machines and multiple ones.

7.2.3 and newer as well as newer 7.1.x like 7.1.7 are affected by this issue on Vista

7.2.1 and older as well as older 7.1 and 7.0 on the other hand just fail to launch at all showing a Failed to initialize properly ... smth error.

So if it wasn't for 7.2.2 you would have to go back to PowerShell 6 to get a working version

But 7.2.2 has it's own issue where it sometimes immediately closes after launching an exe.

Fortunately it doesn't do this when launched from another command line tool, that's why it was necessary to make a shortcut that launches cmd first and pwsh next

Now it just says that spelling is complete, even if there are misspelled words!

List:

BeamNG.Drive 0.16 and later

Chromium versions 53-73 beta (later versions currently do not work)

Firefox "classic" versions 53-56

Firefox Quantum version 57 and later

GIMP 2.10.18

Google Earth 7.3.3 and later

Interlink Mail client

Logitech Gaming Software 9.02

Opera 44 (later versions currently do not work)

Palemoon 28.x 

Rocket League

Thunderbird versions 53 and later

Waterfox Classic

Waterfox Current

Whatsapp

I will continue to update this list as more software is made compatible. Feel free to contribute your own additions in the form of a reply to the topic, and I will add them ASAP.

I just think people are getting a little over excited too early, god only knows what the final builds will look like and contain when compared to the ones around now. I am interested in seeing things early, of course - hence 3638 which was downloaded on a 56k modem! - but it just seems to have gotten a little out of hand.

Personally, I blame this "internet" thing for getting everyone all excited. Maybe they should shut the 'net after, say, 10.30pm (like uk tv used to), and just show a test card or something.

Whaddya reckon then folks? Is there too much hype over LH? Or am I just missing the point?

specs:

Intel PENTIUM 3556U + Haswell Graphics GT1ULT