INTRODUCTION
The Windows application compatibility update is a software update that improves the compatibility experience in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2. Microsoft regularly releases Windows compatibility updates to improve the overall user experience.
For more information, refer to the "Applications or devices that experience a change in behavior after you install this update" section and the "Applications and devices that are included in this update" section.
For more information, refer to the "Applications or devices that experience a change in behavior after you install this update" section and the "Applications and devices that are included in this update" section.
More Information
Update information
How to obtain this update
Microsoft Update
This update is available from the following Microsoft Update website:Microsoft Download Center
The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:Operating system | Update |
---|---|
All supported x86-based versions of Windows 7 | ![]() |
All supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 | ![]() |
All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 | ![]() |
All supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2 | ![]() |
119591 How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services
Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.>
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 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2. 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 7 or Windows Server 2008 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 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 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, 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
Application name | Version | Behavior after you install the update |
---|---|---|
Acer Live Updater | 1.02.3500 | Improves user experience by warning the end-user, and provides a URL for more information about the product. |
Office Enterprise Suite | 2007, 2003 | Enables the application's functionality. |
BOCOM Internet Banking Wizard | 2.1.* | Enables the application's functionality. |
Prerequisites
To apply this update, you must be running one of the following operating systems:- Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
- Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
Registry information
To apply this update, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.Restart requirement
You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this update.Hotfix replacement information
This update replaces the following updates:2492386 Application Compatibility Update for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2: April 2011
2762895 Application Compatibility Update for Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008 R2: November 2012
More Information
For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: