Platform Update for Windows Vista Disappears in Vista to Vista Upgrades
Last Updated on Thursday, 17 December 2009 01:15 Written by Mire_B Thursday, 17 December 2009 01:15
When upgrading from one Vista edition to another Vista edition, the functionality in KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” may be lost. This scenario occurs when the original Vista edition had KB 971644 installed.
When upgrading from one edition of Windows Vista with KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” to another edition of Windows Vista (for example, upgrading from Professional to Ultimate), the registry keys added by KB 971644 will be removed from the registry and pre-existing binaries which were updated by Windows 7 IP will be replaced with the non-updated versions provided by the new edition of Vista. New binaries introduced by KB 971644 that did not previously exist in Windows Vista will remain but without their corresponding registry key entries.
To resolve this issue, reinstall the KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” update after upgrading to the new edition.
The following scenario is provided as an example of this behavior.
Steps:
1. The user has installed Windows Vista Home Premium edition with appropriate service packs
2. The user then installs KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista”
3. Later, the user upgrades to Windows Vista Ultimate edition with appropriate service packs
Result:
· KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” is overwritten on the system
o All KBs related to KB 971644 under “Installed Update” entries are removed
o Pre-existing Vista binaries that were updated by KB are replaced with the pre-KB 97164 versions provided in the Vista upgrade.
o New binaries introduced to Vista through KB 971644 will remain unchanged in the system folders
o All registry keys for all binaries in KB 971644 are deleted
· Upgraded Windows Vista functions normally but KB 971644 functionality is no longer available.
Required Steps to restore functionality:
1. Re-install the KB 971644 – “Platform Update for Windows Vista” update .
Result:
All KB 971644 updates are applied and KB 971644 functionality is available to the upgraded system.
Learn MorePlatform Update for Windows Vista Technologies KB 971644 – updated technologies for Windows Vista SP2 from Windows 7 RTM
Last Updated on Wednesday, 28 October 2009 01:18 Written by Mire_B Wednesday, 28 October 2009 11:29
Windows Vista will receive bits and pieces of Windows 7 via Windows Update (Automatic Updates), Windows Server Update Services and the Microsoft Download Center. But only is Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Vista is already in place. I already told you about the Platform Update for Windows Vista – Beta Download Script (KB971644) a while back. Now the Platform Update for Windows Vista KB 971644 is done and heading to Vista SP2 computers worldwide. The same is valid for the Platform Update for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Vista SP2 will be enhanced with collections Windows 7 RTM of runtime libraries. Vista SP2’s evolution toward Windows 7 involves: Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library; Windows Automation API; Windows Portable Devices Platform; Windows Ribbon and Animation Manager Library.
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB971513) – The Windows Automation API library contains the latest version of the Microsoft User Interface Automation (UI Automation) and Microsoft Active Accessibility libraries that are provided in Windows 7.
Update for Windows Vista (KB971512) – The Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library contain the latest advancements in modern graphics technologies for gaming, multimedia, imaging and printing applications. It includes updates to DirectX, DirectCompute, and XPS Library.
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB971512) – The Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library contain the latest advancements in modern graphics technologies for gaming, multimedia, imaging and printing applications. It includes updates to DirectX, DirectCompute, and XPS Library.
Update for Windows Vista (KB960362) – The Windows Ribbon and Animation Manager Library contains the Windows Ribbon API, a command framework that enables developers to quickly and easily create rich ribbon experiences in their applications, and the Windows Animation Manager API, an animation framework for managing the scheduling and execution of user interface element animations.
Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB960362) – The Windows Ribbon and Animation Manager Library contains the Windows Ribbon API, a command framework that enables developers to quickly and easily create rich ribbon experiences in their applications, and the Windows Animation Manager API, an animation framework for managing the scheduling and execution of user interface element animations.
Update for Windows Vista (KB971513) – The Windows Automation API library contains the latest version of the Microsoft User Interface Automation (UI Automation) and Microsoft Active Accessibility libraries that are provided in Windows 7.
From the Windows Team Blog:
We are announcing the final release of the Platform Update for Windows Vista. The Platform Update for Windows Vista features a set of runtime libraries which add support for new technologies making it easier for developers to develop for Windows 7 and Windows Vista without impacting their users.
The Platform Update for Windows Vista will be available for free via Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services and the Microsoft Download Center. You will need to have Windows Update “recommended settings” enabled in order to automatically receive the update without additional action.
These updates include the following:
- Windows Ribbon and Animation Manager Library: contains the Windows Ribbon API, a command framework that enables developers to quickly and easily create rich ribbon experiences in their applications, and the Windows Animation Manager API, an animation framework for managing the scheduling and execution of user interface element animations.
- Windows Graphics, Imaging, and XPS Library: components for developers to leverage the latest advancements in modern graphics technologies for gaming, multimedia, imaging and printing applications. It includes updates to DirectX to support hardware acceleration for 2D, 3D and text based scenarios; DirectCompute for hardware accelerated parallel computing scenarios; and XPS Library for document printing scenarios.
- Windows Automation API: allows accessibility tools and test automations to access Windows user interface in a consistent way across operating system versions.
- Windows Portable Devices Platform: supplies the infrastructure to standardize data transfers between an application and a portable device, such as a mobile phone, digital camera, or portable media player.
Note that the Windows Automation API will also be made available as a separate download for PCs running Windows XP.
For specific details about the Platform Update for Windows Vista as well as the Platform Update for Windows Server 2008, click here.
By making these libraries broadly available through the Platform Update for Windows Vista, we expect customers will find an increasing number of applications using new features in Windows 7.
From Microsoft Support:
The Platform Update for Windows Server 2008 and the Platform Update for Windows Vista are collections of runtime libraries that make it easy for developers to target a wider customer base.
Notes about the Platform Update for Windows Server 2008
* All the updated technologies in the Platform Update for Windows Server 2008 are already included in Windows Server 2008 R2. The Platform Update for Windows Server 2008 is not required for Windows Server 2008 R2.
* To apply the Platform Update for Windows Server 2008, you must have Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 installed.
Notes about the Platform Update for Windows Vista
* All the updated technologies in the Platform Update for Windows Vista are already included in Windows 7. The Platform Update for Windows Vista is not required for Windows 7.
* To apply the Platform Update for Windows Vista, you must have Windows Vista Service Pack 2 installed.
Learn More