Microsoft to stop supporting Win16 programs

[Jüš† ä gü¥]

That's right! You heard me!

For the next generation of Windows OSes, the Win32 (that would be your Windows95+ and WindowsNT4.0+) programs will be run in an emulation layer.

Your hard programs which you worked so hard on will merely be reduced to emulation status!

On top of certain functions not working/etc (so you'd have to even test existing Win32 programs on it to see if they still worked even in the emulation layer)

The main API will be the Win64 API.

Also, there will be NO support for Win16 programs (Windows3.11 and below)! If you try to run one, you will get a message something like "Invalid EXE type" or whatever.... Also no support for DOS programs.

Why does this suck?

Well,...you might not think it so bad that Windows3.1 and below programs no longer run/work. After all, that almost seems like AGES ago (doesn't it?)

However, even your Win32 programs will be reduced to EMULATION STATUS!

What do I predict? I predict it won't be long after that that Microsoft stops supporting the emulation layer for Win32 and thus makes all that hard work go down the drain as well I can't know for sure, but it DOES seem to be the trend!

Why doesn't Microsoft just open source Windows3.11 and below, and also open source DOS, since they obviously aren't planning on supporting them anymore anyway (even in the weakest sense of the term)???

Would give them some respect from developers, for once, if they actually did that.

[crouse]

here is what I predict!!

I think they are continuing to try to make their Operating System a service, instead of a one time expense. Hence....... dot net. The next platform (longhorn) is just a step in the final direction that M$ is heading. (I'm sure it will be more secure......yeah right~~heavy sarcasm inserted here~~)

Even the XP stuff probably won't all work on the next OS. (except maybe as an emulation).

Hopefully people start to wake up to the way that M$ does biz and start supporting open source projects. (Linux is only one of many)Otherwise, they are eventually going to end up with a monthly bill for their operating system. ----- Just my random thoughts on the whole issue.

[Emc2]

So what's the problem with the old stuff being phased out, and how does it directly relate to you Guy? Are you trying to say that programs like Photoshop 7 and such won't work on Windows Longhorn without emulation?

It sucked when we went from a 16-bit to the 32-bit processor, and it sucks again now that 64-bit is out. Except the Opterons support 32-bit processes as well.

I just want to understand more, rather than listen to a rant. M$ has heard enough ranting, and so has the general public. Provide a link if possible, for more info.

[CERuppel]

Beat me to the cynical speech, Crouse.

But...

By doing this (dropping old, and reducing current programs) M$ is setting the stage for the next generation of programs. I can't wait to see just how blinding fast and secure the next office is going to be... Imagine all the protection from your newest version of anti virus... Or what about the ability to...

Oh, yeah. Its from MicroShaft. (But it was a fine day dream).

All of the users that make the switch (most office users, and their home systems) are going to have to get new versions of the basic utilities. Then start all over again on their media library of programs, utilities and plug ins. The big benefit of which is that M$ will have the right to tell you which companies are going to get the info to design the programs and who is getting shafted.

I'd start watching Bill's investments closely (if I could) to check for any patterns...

[Jüš† ä gü¥]

Originally posted by Emc2
So what's the problem with the old stuff being phased out, and how does it directly relate to you Guy? Are you trying to say that programs like Photoshop 7 and such won't work on Windows Longhorn without emulation?

It sucked when we went from a 16-bit to the 32-bit processor, and it sucks again now that 64-bit is out. Except the Opterons support 32-bit processes as well.

I just want to understand more, rather than listen to a rant. M$ has heard enough ranting, and so has the general public. Provide a link if possible, for more info.

Want the source?

Then download the Platform SDK from http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/...sdk/sdkupdate/

and look in the Development Guides-->64-bit Windows Programming-->Running 32bit Applications section.

Don't have the time to bother downloading and reading? Then don't complain about what I posted

If, on the other hand, you actually spend the time to download and read, and then find some inherent flaw in what I have said above, please point out the mistake

BTW, the part about not supporting DOS emulation is not discussed in that particular section, although it is discussed somewhere in that SDK, but I don't know exactly where at the moment.

Also, that is EXACTLY what I am saying (That Photoshop7/etc won't work without emulation)

How does it affect me? ....It affects me because I am a programmer, and I don't want to see my hard work end up worthless because the underlying system it was designed for is no longer supported. THAT is how it affects me

[Creatures]

Originally posted by CERuppel
I can't wait to see just how blinding fast and secure the next office is going to be... Imagine all the protection from your newest version of anti virus... Or what about the ability to...

sorry that was too funny! (hope you're really joking )

they will spy on you that's the new way of microsoft and i dont think a good protected program is good to spy on, so there will be securety wholes as usual and then they will give out a second version of the "new" windows system, then it's old again and we pay more and more and more!

nothing is secure, there are people who know better than bill gates.

hope it will still run old games, that's the only thing i want but it looks like i gonna play those games in linux they have much better emulations than windows

Creatures

[skuz]

Win32 on NTVDM...

WoW will then mean Win32 on Win64...

Well at least you don't HAVE to upgrade.

Heck, the hospital where I worked was still on NT4 and running fine.

[Nighthawk]

Considering how long the Win16 subsystem has been around, I don't think we're in danger of Win32 going away anytime soon, since the Hammer and Yamhill support 32-bit natively.

[Emc2]

Originally posted by Jüš† ä gü¥

Don't have the time to bother downloading and reading? Then don't complain about what I posted

If, on the other hand, you actually spend the time to download and read, and then find some inherent flaw in what I have said above, please point out the mistake

Good God, I just wanted more info, not a flame. How was I supposed to know anything from your first post, like the fact that you're a programmer? My Bad, I guess.

Isn't this a tad bit of old info...I think I recall seeing something about this a few years back. Its called progress and microsoft is not to blame and theya aren't the only ones doing it. We can expect copmpanies to continue support for legacy products indefinately I know that kinda sucks but I think 10years is more than enough time for a migration to newer tech.