A compatibility update is a software update that improves the compatibility experience in Windows 8 and in Windows Server 2012. Microsoft regularly releases Windows compatibility updates to improve the overall user experience. This compatibility update is dated March 2013.
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How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services
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The kinds of problems that are resolved by application compatibility updates
When you try to install and run certain games or applications in Windows 8 or in Windows Server 2012, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
The game, the application, or the driver is installed incorrectly.
The game, the application, or the driver causes system instability.
The primary functions of the game, of the application, or of the firmware do not work correctly.
Applications or devices that experience a change in behavior after you install this update
The following table lists the applications and devices that were included in this cumulative update package. This table also describes the behavior of these applications and devices after you install the update.
Compatibility updates trigger several changes in Windows 8. The following are the three most common:
Hard block
The update puts a hard block on the application. A hard block prevents an application that is incompatible with Windows 8 from running on the system.
Note Microsoft enables Windows to put a hard block on a non-Microsoft application only if the manufacturer is notified.
Soft block
This update puts a soft block on the application. A soft block notifies you when one of the primary functionality of the application is broken on Windows 8 or causes instability to application experience.
Driver Block
This action may block an existing driver on your computer. When the driver is migrated during the upgrade, an Inbox driver will be installed.
Applications and devices that are included in this update
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Application Name
Version
Behavior after you install the update
HP Software Framework
4.0.108.1
Enables the application's functionality.
Lightscribe Diagnostics Utility
1.18.36.7
Enables the application's functionality.
Scilab
5.3.3
Enables the application's functionality.
VCDS Release
11.11.4
Enables the application's functionality.
Apple Mobile Device USB Driver
Improves user experience.
Wisair WSR Host UWB Radio Driver
Improves user experience.
Dr.Web Security Space Pro
7.x
Improves user experience by warning the end-user, and provides a URL for more information about the product.
Improves user experience by warning the end-user, and provides a URL for more information about the product.
Razer Nostromo Driver
2.02
Improves user experience by warning the end-user, and provides a URL for more information about the product.
Sandboxie
3.73.x
Improves user experience by warning the end-user, and provides a URL for more information about the product.
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.
The compatibility update for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012: November 2012
File information
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The global version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.
Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 file information notes
The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:
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Version
Product
Milestone
Service branch
6.2.920 0.16 xxx
Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012
RTM
GDR
6.2.920 0.20 xxx
Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012
RTM
LDR
The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.
For all supported x86-based versions of Windows 8
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File name
File version
File size
Date
Time
Platform
Acres.dll
6.2.9200.16440
310,784
20-Oct-2012
02:25
x86
Sysmain.sdb
Not applicable
4,622,890
15-Feb-2013
01:30
Not applicable
Acres.dll
6.2.9200.16384
310,784
26-Jul-2012
02:44
x86
Sysmain.sdb
Not applicable
4,622,890
14-Feb-2013
23:55
Not applicable
Msimain.sdb
Not applicable
2,695,972
15-Feb-2013
01:30
Not applicable
Msimain.sdb
Not applicable
2,695,972
14-Feb-2013
23:55
Not applicable
Acspecfc.dll
6.2.9200.16534
444,416
15-Feb-2013
06:35
x86
Acspecfc.dll
6.2.9200.20638
431,616
15-Feb-2013
04:58
x86
Drvmain.sdb
Not applicable
238,830
15-Feb-2013
01:30
Not applicable
Drvmain.sdb
Not applicable
238,830
14-Feb-2013
23:55
Not applicable
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For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 8 and of Windows Server 2012
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