Can Vista run 16-bit apps?

[Mark R]

Just wondering.

I've just been sent a brand new book (August 2006) to review, and it comes with a CD of software to support the text.

However, the core software looks pretty dated, dating back to 1995-6. The overall style of the software shouts 'Windows 3.1' - those old style buttons, file open/save dialog boxes, and other stuff. While I'm not definitely sure it's 16 bit, it seems pretty likely (Something called wowexec.exe appears in task manager when it's running).

If this software is simply not going to work on computers bought in time for Christmas, then this is potentially a significant problem - one that, even if I don't mention it, really needs to be brought to the publisher's attention as a matter of common courtesy.

If anyone does have a copy of Vista and would be interested in helping out with an experiment - I'd be happy to know.

 

[Nothinman]

I believe each version of Windows supports one "level" of apps back, meaning that Vista32 supports 16-bit apps and Vista64 will support 32-bit apps.

And yes wowexec is the Windows on Windows support layer, on 32-bit Windows it lets 16-bit apps run and on 64-bit Windows it's used for 32-bit processes IIRC.

 

[Genx87]

I really hope nobody is running 16 bit mission critical apps anymore 😀

btw I think you are sol, I believe Vista dropped support for 16 bit compatibility.

 

[xtknight]

What if you run a WinXP VM under Vista? Would you be able to use 16-bit mode then (with WinXP's WoW)?

 

[Nothinman]

What if you run a WinXP VM under Vista? Would you be able to use 16-bit mode then (with WinXP's WoW)?

Sure, but that's a lot of overhead for one app that shouldn't even exist today.

 

[Rilex]

Yeah, use something like Virtual Server to run DOS or Win3.x, what ever downlevel OS you need.

 

[kamper]

Originally posted by: xtknight
What if you run a WinXP VM under Vista? Would you be able to use 16-bit mode then (with WinXP's WoW)?

I don't think you'll want everybody that purchases the book to have to do that 😛

 

[pcgeek11]

Windows Vista X86 will / can run 16 bit applications.

Windows Vista X64 will NOT run 16 bit applications.

Just like Windows XP.

pcgeek11

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: pcgeek11
Windows Vista X86 will can 16 bit applications.

Windows Vista X64 will NOT run 16 bit applications.

Just like Windows XP.

pcgeek11

Correct, and as someone else mentioned, virtulaization is MS choice backwards compatibility mechanism moving forward (even there licesnsing is enabling this).