Weak rant: Windows 8.1 lies in GetVersionEx (thanks MS!)

[DaveSimmons]

If anyone is testing 8.1 RTM, be aware that GetVersionEx will report the version as 6.2 (Windows 8.0).

MS explains this by saying "programs don't do a good job of handling version detection, so we decided to lie to you for your own good."

MS helpfully introduces a new API that tells the truth, but that API requires the 8.1 SDK.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dn302074.aspx

 

[Markbnj]

That's ridiculous. I love this statement: "In previous versions of Windows, calling the GetVersion(Ex) APIs would return the actual version of the operating system (OS) unless the process had been mitigated by an app compatibility shim to give it a different version."

I didn't see an answer as to whether they have managed versions of the VersionHelpers api.

 

[heymrdj]

To their defense, most app vendors do absolutely suck at properly coding that part. There is no functional reason why an install on like Vista wouldn't work in 7, but because they use stupid case switches and they can't find a match for 7, it fails out.

 

[Markbnj]

To their defense, most app vendors do absolutely suck at properly coding that part. There is no functional reason why an install on like Vista wouldn't work in 7, but because they use stupid case switches and they can't find a match for 7, it fails out.

That would usually be an indication that your API was too complicated, or confusingly factored.

 

[sm625]

If it doesnt return 8.1, why wouldnt it at least return 8.0? That's the real retardation...

 

[cmdrdredd]

If it doesnt return 8.1, why wouldnt it at least return 8.0? That's the real retardation...

Read the OP again.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If it doesnt return 8.1, why wouldnt it at least return 8.0? That's the real retardation...

6.2 == 8.0, 8.1 == 6.3. Or this:

That would usually be an indication that your API was too complicated, or confusingly factored.