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This repository contains binary releases of the One-Core-API project. These are compatible with Windows Server 2003 RTM, SP1 and SP2, Windows XP RTM, SP1, SP2 and SP3 and Windows XP x64 SP1/SP2. However, it is highly recommended to use the system with its latest Service Pack update and all available updates.

Why One-Core-API?

As is well known, Windows XP lost official support from Microsoft in 2014. There's a special version called Posready 2009, which ended support in 2019. This invariably occurred six years ago. Thus, drivers for Windows XP were no longer developed between 2012 and 2016, with NVIDIA being the last major manufacturer to end support for Windows XP. At the same time, software developers began ending support for Windows XP around the same time. So, if you want to use Windows XP, whether out of nostalgia, because you think it's better than newer versions, or for any other reason, it's nearly impossible to use it on current hardware with current software, except in a few cases. Specifically, we have MyPal 68/78 and Supermium, a modified version of Chromium capable of running from XP to Windows 10. Other than that, virtually no software is compatible. That's why One-Core-API was created to resolve this issue: to reestablish software and hardware compatibility in Windows XP and Server 2003. There's just one major problem: the leap between XP and Windows Vista was significant, and XP lacks 90 to 95% of the new technologies introduced in Windows Vista (except for a few that were ported by Microsoft). This significantly increases the challenge and allows for many errors. Therefore, One-Core-API can have stability issues and can corrupt some systems. There are also problems with testing environments, where it's impossible to predict problems, either due to the infinite possibilities that can arise or due to a lack of staff (I'm the main developer and have a few other people helping me, like Murak, Svyatpro, and recently CoccodrillooXDS). So understand that One-Core-API is the only project capable of running so many modern applications, including games, but it's under intense development and many errors occur. Be patient; if you find errors, report them here instead of complaining, and help the Windows XP community grow, if you so desire and have a good heart. Thank you.

[!WARNING] Now, OCA use DirectX Native software render by default.

For running a dx10+ game, you must need copy the files inside <Your installation letter>\Windows\System32\wined3d into the game installation. Otherwise, the game will fail to start or get a black screen! By testing, was discovered several some applications try use AVX/AVX2 instructions, and it is supported only by XP SP3 on OCA AVX installer at this moment. So, for use in Vmware, you must need include the follow lines on .vmx file (edit with text editor, like notepad, notepad++ or some like this)

cpuid.1.ecx = "---0:----:----:----:----:----:----:----"

cpuid.7.ebx = "----:----:----:----:----:----:--0-:----"

• Main Features
  • Before Using This Software
• How to install One-Core-API?
• How to uninstall One-Core-API?
• Application Compatibility
• Known Limitations
• Before submitting an issue...
• Repository Structure
• Extra Information and Links
  • Official Discord Server
• Showcase / Proof of Concept

Main Features

• Allow support for run newer programs designed for modern Windows OS;
• Allow support for new hardware with new drivers controllers;
• Multi-language support for all Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 supported languages;

Before Using This Software

This software utilizes modified files from the respective systems, and also includes files that are still in the testing or experimental phase, and is developed by a single person. Consequently, predicting all possible scenarios across various computer configurations or virtual machines is not feasible.

The transition between Windows XP/2003 and Vista marked a significant leap in the development of new APIs, technologies, and modifications to existing APIs. This makes it challenging to achieve the same level of compatibility between NT 5.x and NT 6.x systems.

I kindly ask you to remain calm and cautious. Before concluding that the software is flawed or "of poor quality," please report any issues you encounter through the Github Issues or Discord server.

Please note that I cannot guarantee that all issues will be resolved. However, I will analyze them and make every effort to correct them.

Your help is valuable, and complaints or negative feedback do not contribute to the improvement of the product.

Due to prevent BSOD, the packages x86 now separted in three types: x86 (standard), x86 AVX (with AVX patch from Mox Ax) and x86 PAE. THe most stable is x86 standard. AVX patckaeg provide avx support for applications, preventing crash in new installers (only avaliable for XP x86 SP3). And PAE version provide 128gb RAM support, however, can cause several BSOD. Be careful and the use is by your risk;

How to install One-Core-API?

The One-Core-API uses the hotfix installation technology used up to Windows NT 5.x. In this way, you will notice that it is very similar to the installation of a Service Pack. You should go to the Releases section, choose the version you want to test and download the zipped file (.zip). After downloading, unzip the file and you will see that there are four zip files, for x86, x86 with AVX patch, x86 with PAE support and x64. Inside each folder, there will be an executable file with the name: One-Core-API-Pack.exe. Double-click on this file and follow the installation steps, which are basically: "Next, select accept the license, Next and finish". It's that simple.

Step by step guide with images

Download:

Extract:

Open the extracted content and choose your architecture. If the banner haven't x64, it is x86

Double click on executable:

Next:

Accept and Next:

Wait for:

Finish and enjoy!

How to uninstall One-Core-API?

As mentioned, One-Core-API uses the Hotfix installation technology of the Windows NT family up to version 5.x. Therefore, to uninstall it, you must go to the Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and select the "Show updates" option. After selecting this option, several updates will be displayed (if installed), including One-Core-API. Scroll down the window until One-Core-API is displayed, and click on it. An "Remove" button will appear. Click on the button and follow the uninstallation steps (basically, Next->Finish)

Step by step guide with images

Go to Control Panel:

Click on Add Or Remove Programs:

Mark "Show Updates:"

The update will show up. Scroll down until show One-Core-API:

Click on One-Core-API Pack and then, Remove button:

The uninstall Windows will show up. Click in Next:

Wait for:

Click in finish and then the Windows will restart:

How install and use Steam with One-Core-API?

One-Core-API turn possible install and use latest steam on XP, Server 2003 and XP/Server 2003 x64. However, require latest releases of each system (SP3 of XP x86, SP2 from Server 2003 x86/x64 and XP x64) and need apply compatibility mode to install and run Steam, otherwise you will face the dreaded screen "steamwebhelper is not responding". You can see the steps to run Steam on XP/2003 on follow images:

Step by step guide with images

Set Compatibility Mode to Steam installer:

Install Steam:

Application Compatibility

Browsers and email clients

• Chromium browsers (Chrome, Opera, Edge, and others) up to the latest version
• Chrome installer up to version 109 (version for Windows 10 is not supported yet)
• Gecko based (Firefox, Zen Browser) up to the latest versions (however, YouTube only works up to Firefox version 130);
• Seamonkey up to version 2.53.10;
• Maxthon up to version 7.1.6;
• Vivaldi up to the latest version;
• Epic Browser 120
• Thunderbird up to the latest version
• Tor Browser;
• Forks of Chromium;

Messengers and other communication programs

• Discord 0.309.0;
• Legocord (Discord fork) latest;
• Telegram Desktop;
• Line;
• Zoom;
• Filezilla (latest version);
• TeamViewer 14

Office apps

• LibreOffice 24.0.x (latest version);
• Adobe Reader DC (up to 2024);
• Foxit PDF Reader (2023)

IDE's and programming languages

• JetBrains IDE up to the latest releases (2024);
• Visual Studio 2012 and Visual Studio 2013;
• Eclipse IDE up to the latest version;
• Visual Studio Code (and forks like Codium) up to the latest version;
• Android Studio up to the latest version;
• NetBeans up to the latest version;
• Python 3.6 (3.8/3.9 may also work, only the mod version)

Java

• Java JDK and alternative JDK or OpenJDK up to version 24 (maybe other versions work as well). You can download from: https://bell-sw.com/pages/downloads/#/java-11-lts;
• JDK 1.8 (Windows XP x64 only for now)

Native apps from Windows Vista/7

• Windows 7 games;
• Windows 7 Paint;
• Windows 7 Wordpad;
• Native applications from Windows Vista

OpenGL, DirectX 9EX, 10, and 11 games

WARNING!

Now, OCA use DirectX Native software render by default.

For running a dx10+ game, you must need copy the files inside <Your installation letter>\Windows\System32\wined3d into the game installation. Otherwise, the game will fail to start or get a black screen!

• Need for Speed Most Wanted 2012;
• Need for Speed The Run;
• Street Fighter V;
• Injustice: Gods Among Us;
• Assassin's Creed Black Flag;
• Crysis 1, 2, and 3 (directx 10-11 mode);
• GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition;
• GTA V;
• Minecraft 1.21.x
• Resident Evil 5 dx10 mode;
• Lost Planet;
• Far Cry 4;
• Far Cry Primal;
• Tropico 5;
• Metro Last Night;
• Cuphead;
• Horizon Turbo
• Touhou Kinjoukyou (20) ～ Fossilized Wonders

Other

• Adobe Products (Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, etc.) up to the 2019 version;
• .Net Framework up to 4.8;
• .NET 6.0
• Geekbench 4.2;
• Performance Test;
• Spotify for Windows 7 and for Windows 10;
• Node 10.24;
• Winrar 7.0 (latest);
• Postman
• Dbeaver
• Kate 23.08.1
• AIMP
• Foobar2000

Known Limitations

• Youtube on Firefox Starting version 131 not work. So, we recommend use version 115 or 128 ESR.
• Some applications installers may not work, like some electron based apps (MS teams), Office 2013 or GIMP 3.0 RC2 etc crash and application isn't installed. Some installers and applications require AVX support by OS, what isn't supported at no. The, use a pre-installed version, copied from other operating system;
• The packages cannot be integrate with nlite to Windows ISO, because use a tool called "SFXCAB Substitute", not standard Microsoft version;
• Standard .Net Framework Installers starting 4.6 ins't supported for now. You need a repacked version like did here: https://github.com/abbodi1406/dotNetFx4xW7. And avaliable like here: https://www.wincert.net/forum/topic/13805-microsoft-net-framework-472-full-x86x64-incl-language-packs-by-ricktendo/#comment-123251. Other versions are avaliable too, search on forum topics;
• New versions of palemoon may face side by side configuration error issue.;
• Opera 39 - 50 may need follow parameters to start: --disable-gpu (to prevent black screen) and --single-process(to prevent eternally first page loading);

Before submitting an issue...

Before reporting an issue, I strongly recommend checking if the problem exists in One-Core-API-Canary and carefully reviewing the existing Issues to see if your problem has already been reported.

If the problem does exist in Canary and is not already listed in the current Issues, please provide a detailed report of your issue, including the following information:

1. System Configuration:

• Type (Physical Hardware/VM)
• Windows OS Edition (e.g., Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3)
• Post-SP Updates:
  • Were any Post-Service Pack updates installed? (Yes/No)
    • If yes, specify if they were installed before or after installing One-Core-API.
• Installed Software: List any relevant software that might be related to the issue (e.g., Adobe Photoshop CC 2018, Firefox 132, etc.).
• Technical Specifications:
  • If Physical Hardware: Provide details on the processor, RAM (type, amount), hard drive type, and capacity (e.g., IDE disk, 120 GB).
  • If a Virtual Machine: Specify the virtual machine configuration details (e.g., Oracle VirtualBox 6.1.0, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB disk, AHCI mode).
• Steps to reproduce the error

IMPORTANT: If possible, please also attach any relevant logs to the issue. This will greatly assist in identifying a solution faster.

It is also advisable to attach a video recording of the problem, if feasible.

Please note that the issue will be closed if the problem is not reproducible.

Repository Structure

• Documents: Project documentation, known bugs, sfxcab usage (for making installers), etc.
• Packages\x86 and Packages\x64: Binary releases categorized by package. You can download and install/update the packages directly from here (i.e. by going to Packages\x86\Base installer\update and runnning update.exe).
• Todo: To do tasks
• Test: Some binaries and documents for testing;
• Release: Scripts to generate a new binaries release;
• Output: Binaries output, you can generate using scripts on Release folder;

Extra Information and Links

Extended Features for One-Core-API based Systems:

https://github.com/shorthorn-project/One-Core-API-Extras

Tools for new Deployment System for One-Core-API based Systems:

https://github.com/Skulltrail192/One-Core-API-Tools

Official Discord Server

If you want to join our Official Discord Server of One-Core-API, you can join here:

https://discord.gg/eRcGuFtn6p

Showcase / Proof of Concept

Some screenshots of Applicaions running on XP/Server 2003:

Browsers and Thunderbird

Chrome 132

Edge 134 (Dev Preview)

Opera 116

Firefox 122

Thunderbird 132

Basilisk

Vivaldi

Games

Microsoft Chess 3d

Minecraft 1.21

Touhou Kinjoukyou (20) ～ Fossilized Wonders

Messengers and other communication programs

Discord 0.309

Telegram Desktop

Zoom meeting

Native Windows 7 apps

Windows 7 Sticky Notes

Windows 7 Paint

Windows 7 Wordpad

Other

Spotify (For Windows 7)

AIMP

foobar2000

Visual Studio Code 1.81

Libre Office 24 (latest)

Java 11

Avast and Chromium 68