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GetVersionEx API for Windows Millenium Edition

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2.28/5 (20 votes)

Jul 15, 2003

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67434

Ever wondered why that GetVersion function reported your operating system was Windows 98, when infact it is indeed Windows ME?

Introduction

If you've ever tested the GetVersionEx API on many an operating system it usually works a treat, which is what you'd expect from a tried and tested API that works as far back as Windows 3.1! Until that is, you try it on Windows Millenium Edition which returns the correct value provided that the name of the calling application is not

  • setup.exe, or
  • launch.exe

It's hard to beleive that such anamolies are present in the API function without any mention on the MSDN forums or VC help. It was apparently added to ensure backward compatability for installation programs (which is where the setup.exe comes in).

Hope this has helped someone before they tear their hair out in stress wondering what went wrong with their coding!