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VxKex NEXT - run Windows_8-10-11 apps on Windows 7

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April 28, 2025 - 11:21am
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rbon
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VxKex NEXT - run Windows_8-10-11 apps on Windows 7

VxKex NEXT is a Windows 7 API Extensions.

In short:
• Windows 7 doesn't support modern apps due to outdated APIs
• VxKex NEXT is a Windows 7 API Extensions
• VxKex NEXT has updated Windows 7 API with improvement of APIs found in Windows 8,8.1,10 and 11
• VxKex NEXT not allowing modern desktop programs to import APIs directly from Windows 8/8.1/10/11 system DLLs and forcing them to load VxKex NEXT's own DLLs instead
• VxKex NEXT allows run Windows 8/10/11 apps on Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit)
• VxKex NEXT doesn't modify system files and is easily uninstallable

Links:
• Github project: https://github.com/YuZhouRen86/VxKex-NEXT
• GitHub download page: https://github.com/YuZhouRen86/VxKex-NEXT/releases
• direct download installer 'KexSetup_Release_1_1_2_1439.exe': https://github.com/YuZhouRen86/VxKex-NEXT/releases/download/1.1.2.1439/K...
• direct download 'C' source code: https://github.com/YuZhouRen86/VxKex-NEXT/releases/download/1.1.2.1439/V...
• current release is 1.1.2.1439
• size of installer: 3.95 MB
• release date: February 2, 2025
• note that the GitHub page is written in English / Simplified Chinese (suggested: use Google Translate for web pages)

How to use it:
After installation, usage is easy. Here are the ways to enable VxKex NEXT:
1. Just right click on a program (.exe or .msi), open the Properties dialog, and select "VxKex" tab. Then, check the check box which says "Enable VxKex NEXT for this program", and try to run the program. For shortcuts, select "Shortcut" tab in the Properties dialog, click "Open file location" button, and then perform the actions above.
2. Find "VxKex NEXT Global Settings" from start menu and open it, click "Add" button, select a program (.exe or .msi), click "Open" button, and try to run the program.

Review:
• XDA-Developers: https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-7-gains-support-for-modern-apps/

Screenshots:
Screenshot #1 https://github.com/i486/VxKex/raw/main/example-screenshot.png
Official screenshot: https://github.com/YuZhouRen86/VxKex-NEXT/blob/main/example-screenshot.p...

This program come with an installer, so it writes its setting to Windows Registry:
• please download source code from GitHub, then
--> go to '00- Documentation' --> and carefully read the file 'VxKex Registry Keys.docx'

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May 9, 2025 - 7:34am
ANTICHRISTUS REX
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Looks like a necessary addon for old machines

This should be a nice addition since it makes several up-to-date apps run on legacy OSes.
I can confirm: MKVToolNix till ver 89.0 , Firefox, CopyQ, CherryTree, Ferdium, and certainly many others.

EDIT: Just had to update it. Now supported apps are working again!

EDIT2: Now, Stellarium joined the list of the must be VxKexed apps.

Since PA.c is supporting old OSes, VxKex seems like a revitalizing addon to unlock too many apps abandonning antediluvian ships.

'Joy is ephemeral, live it before realizing the truth'
― Neo Buddha ―

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May 12, 2025 - 12:34am
John T. Haller
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Joined: 2005-11-28 22:21
Work Without Installing?

Do we happen to know if this can work without installing?

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

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May 12, 2025 - 11:04am
rbon
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Joined: 2011-04-30 13:26
Work Without Installing?

Work Without Installing?
Do we happen to know if this can work without installing?

From what I understand:
1. NO, it can't works without installing: see Issue #32 is there a portable version without installing VxKex? https://github.com/i486/VxKex/issues/32
2. YES, if You add registry keys in Your PAF

See details inside '00- Documentation' --> and carefully read the file 'VxKex Registry Keys.docx'. and inside instruction of this repository: https://github.com/xuzhongxing/VxKex-NEXT -

FAQ section

Q: How does VxKex NEXT work?
A: VxKex NEXT works by loading a DLL into each program where VxKex NEXT is enabled. This is accomplished through using the IFEO (Image File Execution Options) registry key.

Specifically, the "VerifierDlls" value is set to point to a VxKex NEXT DLL. This DLL then loads into the process.

API extension is accomplished by editing the program's DLL import table so that instead of importing from Windows 8/8.1/10/11 DLLs, it imports VxKex NEXT DLLs instead. These VxKex NEXT DLLs contain implementations of Windows API functions which were introduced in newer versions of Windows.

Remember:
there are some repositories of VxKex:
1. i486/VxKex https://github.com/i486/VxKex --> forked by (follows)
2. YuZhouRen86 / VxKex-NEXT https://github.com/YuZhouRen86/VxKex-NEXT with extension 'NEXT' --> forked by (follows)
3. xuzhongxing / VxKex-NEXT 'https://github.com/xuzhongxing/VxKex-NEXT - actual repository (at moment)

My original post point to repository #2 by YuZhouRen86.

How to VxKex NEXT works:
the launch sequence should be this (for example for GIMP portable)
1. GIMP launcher
2. VxKex NEXT launcher
3. GIMP program

the 'GIMP launcher' should contain the instruction WaitForEXE
like this:
WaiForEXE1=VxKex-NEXT_launcher.exe

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