Summary
A compatibility update is a software update that improves the compatibility experience in Windows 8.1 and in Windows Server 2012 R2. Microsoft regularly releases Windows compatibility updates to improve the overall user experience.
This compatibility update is dated December 2013.
More Information
Update information
How to obtain this update
This compatibility update is offered when you upgrade to the release version of Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2.
The kinds of problems that are resolved by application compatibility updates
When you try to install and run certain games or applications in Windows 8.1 or in Windows Server 2012 R2, 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, the application, or 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 8.1 and in Windows Server 2012 R2. The following are the three most common:
Hard block
This prevents an application that is incompatible with Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 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 notifies you when a primary function of the application may not work or may cause application instability.
Driver Block
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
|
Applications or devices |
Version |
Behavior after you install the update |
|---|---|---|
|
AhnLab |
v3 |
Application is blocked from running because of severe compatibility problems. |
|
AIDA64 Extreme Edition |
3 |
Warns the user about compatibility problems with the application. |
|
Ashampoo 3D CAD Architecture (German) |
Up to 4.* |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
Dia |
0.97.2 |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
DriverMax |
Not available |
Removes a warning message for a compatible version of the application. |
|
Faster Than Light |
Not available |
Improves user experience by fixing a high-resolution issue. |
|
F-Secure Enterprise products |
Not available |
Removes a warning message for a compatible version of the application. |
|
FUDEMAME Standard |
23 |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
GeoGebra |
Up to 4.* |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
GIMP |
Up to 2.* |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
Gnumeric |
Up to 1.* |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
Hitman Absolution |
Not available |
Improves user experience by fixing a high-resolution issue. |
|
Kaspersky consumer products |
2013 |
Warns the user about compatibility problems with the application. |
|
KMPlayer (Korean) |
Up to 3.* |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
Nuance PaperPort |
Up to 14.* |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
Quicken Deluxe |
2011 |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
SnagIt |
11 |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
|
SonicWALL VPN |
Not available |
Reduces the effect of an issue with the application. |
|
ThinkVantage Fingerprint Software |
Not available |
Warns the user about compatibility problems with the application. |
|
YoZo Office personal edition |
2012 |
Application handles online-only OneDrive SmartFiles correctly. |
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.
