How to install KernelEx for max compatibility? Asking as a beginner

**sk9392** · January 6, 2024

Hi all! Sorry if it's a noob question - I have checked out a bunch of threads on kernelex and there's an overwhelming amount of info on it so far. On retrosystemsrevival blog, the following steps are mentioned:

Quote

Extra Compatibility Tips:
KernelEx alone is not enough for some newer programs. To get the best compatibility...
-Implement KernelEx stubs
-Recommended system file updates:
Msvcrt.dll versions 6.10.9848.0, 7.00.9981.0 or 7.10.7031.4
-Tips from jumper
-DIY Extension Items (K452stub.7z, Ktree9.7z, iphlpapi4.7z, Kstub822.zip)
-Updated .dll's are available

I have KernelEx 4.5.2 installed so far. But then there seems to be version 4.5.2016.17 (my understanding is that newer KernelEx versions than this are not for end users) PLUS the steps above. I'll post my version of the steps that I think I should take:

Extract Unicows to C:\Windows\System
Install KernelEx 4.5.2 and reboot
Download KexBeta.17.7z, extract to some location, exit to DOS, then copy contents of that archive to C:\Windows\KernelEx. Reboot
Download Kstub822.zip (do I need to install K452stub before this?). Installation instructions of older versions of stubs are mentioned in this thread: https://msfn.org/board/topic/157173-kext-diy-kernelex-extensions/. BUT for Kstub822.zip, I don't see any instructions to "modify contents= line in Core.ini"
Once Kstub822 is installed, reboot to be safe I guess. Then install iphlpapi4 by following instructions in post 116 of above thread. Again reboot to be safe
Then put these files in the C:\Windows\System folder
Msvcrt.dll <- Msvcr70.dll / Msvcr71.dll

Msvcr90.dll 9.00.21022.8
Finally I can install these auxiliary updates for increased compatibility: https://msfn.org/board/topic/173302-kernelex-auxiliary-dll-updates/. But again, not clear on how to install, so would be grateful for instructions or link to some post that explains it

Is the above process accurate to get a max compatibility version of kernelex?

I hope this thread can help out anyone else end user who wants to update kernelex in the best way possible. I'll update this post based on your replies. Thanks!

Edited January 6, 2024 by sk9392

**awkduck** · January 7, 2024

You could try this out. I don't know what DLLs it comes with; so you may still have to copy those over.

**schwups** · January 8, 2024

Don't use msvcr71.dll (v7.10.xxxx) as msvcrt.dll. It can cause errors. Use version 6.10.9848.0 or 7.00.9981.0 as msvcrt.dll. And don't use K452stub. Further I recommend to omit iphlpapi4 for now, too. I believe it isn't needed anymore with later KernelEx versions. I never used it, because it caused some problems on ME here. As far as I remember it was Ok on 98SE.

Booting DOS for update is a matter of taste. I've dual-boot systems. The update is also possible in safe mode or with a (linux) live CD. Further jumper wrote a bat installer years ago. Basically, follow jumpers instructions.

**steviant** · March 21

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've been meaning to try kernelex for a while now, but until recently, I wasn't feeling inclined to possibly need to nuke and pave over my very stable install of 98. But I've fed the beast some hardware upgrades recently, and I'm looking to push the envelope a bit further. There's just one problem I'm having...

Where on the great green sky-biscuit do people find all the software mentioned in these posts? I've tried every search engine and hundreds of searches over the course of about a week, I've managed to find unicows and kernelex, but not a single one of any of the other files mentioned. I have stumbled across sites in Russian and Polish mentioning the same versions of those files, but no actual download sources for them anywhere.

Have I stumbled onto a guild where I need to be an apprentice before I can be accepted into the secret cabal that shares the ingredients needed, like some kind of modern alchemical society?

I feel like I must be missing something obvious - please, can someone point me in the direction of, or share the mentioned files or current versions of them (kexbeta.17.7z, kstub822.zip, msvcrt 7.00.9981.0, msvcr90 9.0.21022.8)

The process of trying to find this stuff has been so time consuming and frustrating that if an archive of all the various crap doesn't already exist, I'd be interested in donating some of my precious and not exactly copious free time to make one.

Thanks in advance, helpful folk of MSFN.

**CamTron** · March 21

I'd have to agree. I played around with KernelEx years ago trying to see what software I could run, and finding all the DLL tweaks and kext configurations is exhausting. The information on this is scattered across a bunch of very long forum threads, and it's difficult to wade through. It would be great if someone could consolidate it on a wiki.