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Programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when they run on a Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

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Dani AI

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posted the Microsoft compatibility note and flagged that some entries were surprising. The thread correctly points to a vendor-maintained list; the useful next step is practical troubleshooting and mitigation rather than guessing causes.

Common root causes when SP2-era changes break apps:

  • Windows Firewall now enabled by default can block services or peer-to-peer features.
  • Newer security controls (DEP and tightened service/driver behavior) expose legacy code and unsigned drivers.
  • Conflicts with third-party security suites or installers that assume older network/driver behavior.

Quick, safe checklist to isolate and fix problems

  1. Reproduce the failure, then check Event Viewer (Start -> Run -> eventvwr.msc) for application or system errors.
  2. Test networking problems by temporarily disabling Windows Firewall (Control Panel -> Windows Firewall) or adding the executable on the Exceptions tab. Test only briefly and on a trusted network.
  3. Try a clean boot (Start -> Run -> msconfig) to rule out third-party services/antivirus conflicts.
  4. If an app crashes or fails to install, try running it as an administrator and use the Compatibility tab in Properties to lower the target OS level.
  5. For DEP-related faults, open System Properties -> Advanced -> Performance -> Data Execution Prevention and add the program to the exception list only if diagnostics point to DEP as the problem.
  6. Check vendor support pages for SP2-specific patches or updated drivers; many ISVs issued fixes after SP2 shipped.

If all else fails, avoid leaving SP2 unpatched on a production machine: uninstalling SP2 (Add or Remove Programs -> Show Updates) or reverting via System Restore is a diagnostic step only. A better long-term option for legacy-only apps is running them inside a dedicated virtual machine with the older baseline OS.

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Member Avatar for Dani

I wouldn't have expected to see Photoshop CS on that list ... eech.

Member Avatar for jaishankar

I wouldn't have expected to see Photoshop CS on that list ... eech.

eee.. :eek: me too and also Pinnacle Studio, Norton System Works

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