SMWMTL 2.20 - End of support for Windows XP and 32-bit OSes. #2
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Kiki79250CoC
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Upcoming modification of System requirements by the next SMWMTL major release (2.2x).
Hi SMWMTL users, today I will tell the future of SMWMTL concerning his development. I know that what I will said will make some users sad, but I taked the heavy decision to end the support of SMWMTL when the next major version will be released on the following platforms :
Why stop Windows XP support ?
20 years ago, Windows XP was released by Microsoft. 12 years later, on April 8, 2014, Microsoft ended XP support in profit to more modern Operating Systems (i.e : Windows 8 (lol)). Even if Windows XP was already unsupported since 4.5 years when the First SMWMTL version was released, this OS is still supported today by the program.
Also, SMWMTL is based on the .NET Framework 4.0, which is also unsupported since December 2016. Numerous bugs have been caused to recent releases due to the .NET Framework 4.0 since versions 2.0x/2.1x, such as some bad-working features, (i.e : Aero extension on Windows Vista/7, which requires a newer .NET Framework version (4.5) to work properly), a bad window gestion on NT6-based OSes (which is the cause of the locked-resizing window, who prevent to capture non-cropped screenshots if Windows is settled as normal on Vista and above, and here again, a newer version of .NET fixes this issue), unfixed security breaches in the Framework, and much more...
In 2021 (and even earlier, it's not new), developing an application for this very old Windows XP is very difficult, because this one was not built with some current crucial standards, which were mainly introduced with Windows Vista. I admit, I also loved Windows XP and used it until 2015/2016, but this OS is just way too old. I know, it hurts to hear that, the truth is very painful sometimes, and letting it go is difficult, but every legendary thing in our hearts will always comes to an end eventually.
For Windows Vista (next to Windows 8), these systems still have some protections, even if they have been obsolete for 4 and 5 years respectively. For Windows 7, it's a little different because this one is still heavily used by some irreductibles users (like me), and it is still supported through the "ESU" program. Along with that, many third-party programs are still kept there for the time being (although it is only a matter of time before Windows 7 will know the same fate that earlier versions of Windows have experienced before). 8.1, 10 and 11 are still supported by Microsoft, so these will still be supported.
OK, and why stopping 32-bit OSes support ?!
In 2018, only 1.93% of computers were still running a 32-bit CPU (and with the OS that is compatible for). It is factual that 3 years later, this percentage has dropped significantly. Also, compiling an x86 version at the same time as an x64 one complexifies software management and publication. Supporting a platform that almost nobody use anymore is very time consuming and like other companies, I can't really justify anymore why continuing support a thing for so few users at the end...
There are some advantages to compiling to x64 only, such as cleaner code, because the code parts and functions dedicated to 32-bit environments detection and exploitation are no longer included. The software may also be faster due to the reduced number of checks to perform, just to detect whether your Windows installation is x86 or x64 and run additional code to adapt to the context if needed.
Also, the Year 2038 bug don't make these CPU future-proof. In fact, a lot of companies have already stopped to compile programs or drivers for x86 architecture. 32-bit architecture future is already sealed and in a little bit more than 16 years, these one will be completly unusable without advanded knowledge.
And stop the 32-bit compilation will align to the other companies who already taked the decision to stop supporting this architecture.
So, what are the new specifications ?
Starting the Release of SMWMTL 2.20 (Montréal), the system requirements will now be the following one :
All other requirements are maintained and don't change.
Is LTS versions also affected with these changes ?
As said at the begin of this post, no, current LTS versions are stick on 2.1x codebase and will continue to be compiled in x86 and support Windows XP until his end of life (With all unfixable .NET Framework 4.0 bugs in bonus)...
Will SMWMTL 2.20 Support Linux or macOS natively ?
For the moment, no, because .NET Framework 4.6 is a Windows-only Framework, and SMWMTL is very buggy on these systems. Even with Wine, you can launch programs, but some application windows are inaccessible due to serious exceptions resulting to these differences between Windows and Linux or macOS that Wine cannot handle. Some more advanced tests will be required before saying if just changing .NET Framework version will miraculously make it perfectly workable on Linux.
That's all !
I hope this decision will not make you cry because I am discontinuing support for Windows XP, and also the fact that your Pentium III will no longer be able to run the program ...
Have a nice day !
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