Sometimes release.exe and other errors system errors EXE may be related to issues in the Windows registry. Several programs can use the release.exe file, but when those programs are uninstalled or modified, sometimes "orphaned" (incorrect) EXE registry entries are left behind.
Basically, this means that while the actual path of the file may have changed, its incorrect former location is still recorded in the Windows Registry. When Windows tries to look up these incorrect file references (file locations on your PC), release.exe errors can occur. Additionally, a malware infection may have corrupted the registry entries associated with SystemRescueCD. Thus, these corrupt EXE registry entries need to be fixed to fix the problem at the root.
Manually editing the Windows registry to remove invalid release.exe keys is not recommended unless you are PC service professional. Mistakes made when editing the registry can render your PC inoperable and cause irreparable damage to your operating system. In fact, even one comma placed in the wrong place can prevent your computer from booting!
Because of this risk, we highly recommend using a trusted registry cleaner such as %%product%% (Developed by Microsoft Gold Certified Partner) to scan and repair any release.exe-related registry problems. Using a registry cleaner, you can automate the process of finding corrupted registry entries, missing file references (such as the one causing the release.exe error), and broken links within the registry. Before each scan, a backup copy, which allows you to undo any changes with one click and protects you from possible damage to your computer. The best part is that eliminating registry errors can dramatically improve system speed and performance.
Warning: Unless you are an experienced PC user, we DO NOT recommend manually editing the Windows Registry. Incorrect use of Registry Editor can lead to serious problems and demand Windows reinstallation. We do not guarantee that problems resulting from incorrect use of Registry Editor can be corrected. You use Registry Editor at your own risk.
Before manually restoring Windows registry, you need to create a backup by exporting the part of the registry associated with release.exe (for example, SystemRescueCD):
- Click on the button Begin.
- Enter " command" V search bar... DON'T CLICK YET ENTER!
- While holding down the keys CTRL-Shift on your keyboard, press ENTER.
- A dialog box for access will be displayed.
- Click Yes.
- The black box opens with a blinking cursor.
- Enter " regedit" and press ENTER.
- In the Registry Editor, select the release.exe-related key (eg. SystemRescueCD) you want to back up.
- On the menu File select Export.
- On the list Save to select the folder where you want to save the backup copy of the SystemRescueCD key.
- In field File name Enter a name for the backup file, for example "SystemRescueCD backup".
- Make sure the field Export range value selected Selected branch.
- Click Save.
- The file will be saved with extension .reg.
- You now have a backup of your release.exe-related registry entry.
The following steps when manually editing the registry will not be described in this article, since high probability may damage your system. If you would like more information about editing the registry manually, please check out the links below.
(NT 6.0)
Almost not used
Actively used
Almost not used
Almost not used
Actively used
Server Windows
| Logo | Version | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Not supported Generally not used |
||
| 1994 | |||
| 1995 | |||
| 1996 | |||
| 2000 | |||
| 2003 | Not supported Still in use |
||
| 2005 | |||
| 2008 | |||
| 2009 | Supported Actively used |
||
| 2012 | |||
| 2013 | |||
| 2016 | |||
| 2018 | Getting started |
All versions of Windows by line + chronology
| Ruler | Years | Listing versions |
|---|---|---|
| 16 bit | 1985 - 1995 | Windows 1 / 2 / 3 |
| 32 bits (9x) |
1995 - 2001 | Windows 95/98/ME |
| NT (32 and 64 bits) |
since 1993 | Windows NT 3.1 / NT 3.5 / NT 3.51 / NT 4.0 Workstation / 2000 / XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 |
| NT Servers (32 and 64 bits) |
since 1993 | Windows NT 3.1 / NT 3.5 / NT 3.51 / NT 4.0 Server / 2000 Server / 2003 / 2003 R2 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2012 / 2012 R2 / 2016 / 2019 |
History of success
This success story reflects the frequency of use of the system; the number of glitches encountered by users; reviews.
| Windows 1 | Failure | |
| Windows 2 | Neutral | |
| Windows 3 | Success | |
| Windows 95 | Failure | |
| Windows 98 | Success | |
| Windows Millennium | Failure | |
| Windows 2000 | Neutral | |
| Windows XP | Big success | |
| Windows Vista | Failure | |
| Windows 7 | Success | |
| Windows 8 | Failure | |
| Windows 8.1 | Failure | |
| Windows 10 | Success |
*despite the failure of some versions operating system, they carried new functions that were transferred to already successful versions. For example, beautiful icons and windows appeared in the millennium, which were transferred to Windows 2000. Therefore, failure should not be assessed as unsuccessful work.
Windows 1
Years of support: 1985 - 2001. Branch: 16 bit.
Editions: -
What's new
Before Windows 1 there was MS-DOS, so the most important innovation is GUI and the ability to control using the mouse.
System requirements
Windows 3
Years of support: 1990 - 2008. Branch: 16 bit.
Editions: -
What's new
- The first (from Microsoft) user-friendly interface.
- Appearance of the program manager.
- The emergence of multimedia capabilities.
- Network support (from 3.1).
System requirements
Windows NT 3.1
Editions: -
What's new
- The first system based on the NT kernel.
- Support file system NTFS.
System requirements
| CPU | Intel 80386 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 2 MB |
| Volume hard drive | 8 MB |
Windows NT 3.5 Workstation
Editions: -
What's new
- Built-in support for Winsock and TCP/IP.
- The appearance of a DHCP and WINS server and client.
- VFAT support.
System requirements
| CPU | 33 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 12 MB |
| Hard disk capacity | 70 MB |
Windows NT 3.51 Workstation
Editions: -
System requirements
Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
Editions: -
System requirements
Windows 98
Years of support: 1998 - 2006. Branch: 9x (32 bits).
System requirements
Windows Millennium
Years of support: 2000 - 2006. Branch: 9x (32 bits).
System requirements
Windows 2000
Years of support: 2000 - 2010. Branch: NT.
System requirements
Windows XP
Editions: XP, XP Professional
System requirements
Windows Vista
Years of support: 2006 - 2017. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: Starter, Basic Home, Premium, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate
System requirements
Windows 7
Years of support: 2009 - 2020. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate
System requirements
| Minimum | Featured | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 32-bit | 64-bit | 32-bit | 64-bit |
| CPU | 1 GHz | |||
| RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | |
| Hard disk capacity | 16 GB | 20 GB | 16 GB | 20 GB |
Windows 8
Years of support: 2012 - 2016. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
System requirements
| Minimum | Featured | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 32-bit | 64-bit | 32-bit | 64-bit |
| CPU | 1 GHz | |||
| RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | |
| Hard disk capacity | 16 GB | 20 GB | 16 GB | 20 GB |
Windows 8.1
Years of support: 2013 - 2023. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: 8, 8 Professional (Pro), 8 Corporate (Enterprise)
System requirements
| Minimum | Featured | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 32-bit | 64-bit | 32-bit | 64-bit |
| CPU | 1 GHz | |||
| RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | |
| Hard disk capacity | 16 GB | 20 GB | 16 GB | 20 GB |
Windows 10 (latest for personal computers)
Years of support: 2015 - 2025. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions
- Home. For most home computers. There is no way to configure a remote desktop so that you can connect to the system remotely; no possibility to use group policies and joining a domain.
- Professional (Pro). Contains all functions home version+ the ability to join a domain, use group policies, the ability to connect to a computer using a remote desktop.
- Corporate (Enterprise). Some features of the home version have been reduced. There is everything additional functions Pro version+ DirectAccess, AppLocker.
- S. Is a stripped down version; comes pre-installed on some devices. Does not support standard application installation - installation can only be done from the Windows Store.
What's new
Windows 10 is undergoing major changes with the release of new builds. Therefore, we will consider innovations based on this.
- Improved performance.
- New built-in browser Microsoft Edge.
- Automatically shrinks the adjacent window when pressed active window on one side of the desktop.
- All Apps in Start supports a display of 2,048 items (previously only 512).
- Forced installation of updates.
- Using virtual voice assistant Cortana.
- The updated start menu is a hybrid of previous versions and Windows 8 (the old expansion option has returned, and tiles have appeared on the right side).
- Ability to create multiple desktops.
- Refusal of tiled Windows systems 8.
- Handwriting capability (Windows Ink).
- Identification using a webcam.
- Sync with mobile device notifications.
- Change the system settings menu.
- Built-in support for virtual reality headsets.
- Game Mode
- Offered by default command line in Powershell.
- Access to the classic Control Panel is hidden from context menu. Now it can be called with the command control.
- Improved performance of the built-in antivirus.
- Identification using a webcam for Active Directory.
- Ability to create a screenshot with a selection of an area using the keyboard shortcut Win + Shaft + S.
- Braille support.
- Extended battery life.
- The ability to run Cortana on one device and stop working on another.
- Disable SMBv1 protocol. You can enable it manually.
- The People panel appears.
- Information about the GPU in the task manager.
- Microsoft Edge Full Screen Mode
- Extended battery life (Power Throttling function).
- The emoji panel appears.
- Selective OneDrive sync.
- Fixing a slowdown issue in games.
- Ability to recover your password using security questions.
- Dark theme for Explorer.
- Ability to access messages from your phone (“Your Phone” function).
- Isolated desktop for safe running of applications.
* this list contains some innovations. Full list on the Wikipedia page.
System requirements
| Minimum | Featured | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 32-bit | 64-bit | 32-bit | 64-bit |
| CPU | 1 GHz | |||
| RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | |
| Hard disk capacity | 16 GB | 20 GB | 16 GB | 20 GB |
Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server
Years of support: 1993 - 2001. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 16, 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: -
System requirements
| CPU | Intel 80386 |
|---|---|
| RAM | 2 MB |
| Hard disk capacity | 8 MB |
Windows NT 3.5 Server
Years of support: 1994 - 2001. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 16, 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: -
What's new
- Built-in support for Winsock and TCP/IP.
- The emergence of DHCP and WINS servers.
- Providing public access to files and printers.
- VFAT support.
System requirements
| CPU | 33 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16 MB |
| Hard disk capacity | 70 MB |
Windows NT 3.51 Server
Years of support: 1995 - 2001. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 16, 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: -
System requirements
| CPU | 33 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16 MB |
| Hard disk capacity | 70 MB |
Windows NT 4.0 Server
Years of support: 1996 - 2004. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: Server, Enterprise Edition, Terminal Server
System requirements
Windows 2000 Server
Years of support: 2000 - 2010. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter Server
System requirements
Windows Server 2003
Years of support: 2003 - 2015. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: Web, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter
System requirements
Web, Standard, Enterprise:
Datacenter Edition:
Windows Server 2003 R2
Years of support: 2005 - 2015. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter
System requirements
Standard, Enterprise:
Datacenter Edition:
Windows Server 2008
Years of support: 2008 - 2020. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 32 and 64 bits.
Editions: Web, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, HPC, Storage, Itanium
System requirements
| Minimum | Featured | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | 32-bit | 64-bit | 32-bit | 64-bit |
| CPU | 1 GHz | 1.4 GHz | 2 GHz | |
| RAM | 512 MB | 2 GB | ||
| Hard disk capacity | 10 GB | 40 GB | ||
Windows Server 2008 R2
Years of support: 2009 - 2020. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 64 bits.
Editions: Foundation, Small Business, Web, Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, HPC, Itanium
System requirements
Windows Server 2012
Years of support: 2012 - 2023. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 64 bits.
System requirements
Windows Server 2012 R2
Years of support: 2013 - 2023. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 64 bits.
Editions: Foundation, Essentials, Standard, Datacenter
System requirements
Windows Server 2016
Years of support: 2016 - 2026. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 64 bits.
Editions: Essentials, Standard, Datacenter
What's new
- Licensing for physical processor cores (minimum 16).
- New installation mode - Nano.
- The emergence of container virtualization.
- OpenGL and OpenCL for RDP.
- Encryption of virtual machines and internal network traffic.
- Block replication of file storages.
System requirements
Windows Server 2019 (latest for servers)
Years of support: 2018 - ?. Branch: NT. Bit depth: 64 bits.
Editions: Standard, Datacenter
What's new
- Improved security - built-in Defender ATP and Defender Exploit Guard technologies.
- Windows Subsystem Linux (WSL) - containers for supporting Linux applications.
- To build a cluster with an even number of nodes, a USB drive can act as a witness disk.
One of Microsoft's greatest strengths—and its weakness—is its focus on backwards compatible. Most Windows applications will run fine on Windows 8. This is especially true if they ran on Windows 7, since Windows 8 is very similar to its predecessor.
Solution to the problem:
Older games and software, particularly those designed for older operating systems, including XP and Win 98 or DOS, may not function properly. Regardless of the software you're dealing with, whether it's a PC game or business software, searching Google for the name of the game followed by "Windows 8" or the exact error message you're receiving will likely help resolve it. problem. The tips below apply to different types software, but search additional information, regarding your particular program, is always a good alternative.
Why may games and programs be incompatible?
There are many reasons why an application may not work properly on Windows 8.
Bad programming: Some programs may be dependent on administrator rights, work fine on XP, but have problems when launched as a regular user on newer versions. Some, for example, depend on early requests Windows versions, which have since been eliminated in new versions of the OS, since they were reported to have been hacked into the application.
Dependency on older software versions: the software may use old libraries, such as NET Framework versions 3.5, which is not installed on Windows 8 by default.
16-bit software: 64-bit versions of Windows no longer have 16-bit compatibility Windows applications. If you have a 16-bit application written for 3.1, you need to use the 32-bit version of Windows 8 to run it.
DOS: Windows 8, like all versions after XP, no longer runs on top of DOS. While some DOS programs still work, advanced software written for DOS - e.g. computer games for DOS - does not work in the Windows Command Promt environment.
Before updating
Microsoft offers some information you may want to review before upgrading. You can download and run Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, which will scan your computer and tell you whether games, software, and hardware will run properly on Windows 8. Of course, the app doesn't offer a 100% guarantee, but it does provide some useful information provides.
Software update
If the game doesn't work on Windows 8, you should update it to latest version and install all available patches. For example, an old game installed from a disk may not work on Windows 8, but the game developer may well have released a patch that allows the game to run on new versions of the OS. For example, many games from Windows Live do not work properly until the update is installed.
You may also need older libraries needed to run the software. For example, Windows 8 includes. NET Framework version 4.5. If you see an error related to the .NET Framework, you should go to Control Panel and install the .NET Framework 3.5 package, which will ensure that software that is dependent on NET 3.5, 3.0, or 2.0 will run.
Run as administrator
Launching a problematic application can be quite simple; sometimes running as an administrator is enough to do this. Windows, as a rule, independently determines if an application requires additional rights and runs it as an administrator, but this function may not always work. To run the program as an administrator, click right click to its shortcut and select “Run as administrator”.
You can also solve this problem by completely disabling User Account Control. However, we do not recommend turning off User Account Control because it important point security, and related errors have become rare as the system began to work much better after Windows Vista. Almost all Windows programs work normally with User Account Control enabled.
Compatibility Mode
Windows 8 includes a compatibility feature for troubleshooting. Simply right-click on the shortcut for the program that won't start, select Properties, and go to the Compatibility tab. From here you can run the compatibility troubleshooter. Alternatively, you can trick the program into appearing to be running on previous versions Windows, including XP or Win 98. This will help solve problems with software that worked well on previous versions of the OS. The Compatibility tab also allows you to always run the program in administrator mode - useful if the program is only run as an administrator.
Use DOSBox
If you have an old DOS application that doesn't run on Windows - probably an old game like the original DOOM - you can run it from DOSBox. DOSBox is free application, which emulates a full DOS environment in a window, allowing you to run DOS applications on Windows. DOSBox is different better compatibility rather than the command line. It works so well that some developers optimize their games for DOSBox - if you buy the original DOOM or Quake on the Steam store, they come bundled with DOSBox.
Use a virtual machine
Virtual machines allow you to run programs that ran on previous versions of Windows. With a virtual machine, you can install XP, for example, and run it in windowed mode. After this, you can run the legacy software from a virtual machine. Windows 8 does not support XP OS compatibility from Win 7, but you can get this feature by installing XP in VirtualBox or VMware Player.
It is worth noting that virtual machines are not an ideal solution for gaming, since they are much slower and the 3D graphics work very mediocre. However, virtual machines have limited support for 3D graphics, so if we are talking about a very ancient game, it should work well on virtual machine. You may also run into problems when software requires direct access to certain hardware - you can plug a USB device into a virtual machine, but software that depends on direct access to the computer's hardware will not work.
Tips for troubleshooting problems with specific games
8 users more often experience problems with games than with software, which is promptly replaced by new versions or updated. If you're having problems with a specific game, try searching for the game on the PC Gaming Wiki. This site provides detailed information for troubleshooting problems with most games - not only for Win 8, but also for other versions of Microsoft operating systems, as well as other operating systems.
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