The main list of items includes anything that works properly and does its job. Programs on older versions of KernelEx should also work on the current versions. As a cautionary action, I would advise using only portable versions of software to avoid potential breaking of the system.
Be sure you have the unofficial Visual C++ 2008 Runtime for Windows 9x installed for best compatibility results! The VC++ 6.0 Runtime and DirectX 9 is also essential!
Settings Used:
**KernelEx 4.5.2 + KernelEx 24 Updates
**Kstub822
**Visual C++ 2008 Runtime
**NET Framework 2.0
**DirectX 9
Tutorials:
How to update KernelEx with all recommended updates.
**As a side note: Windows 2000 and XP DLL files often work with Windows 98SE/ME to fix missing dependencies. ReactOS files occasionally work too, but can be hit-or-miss.
Official Microsoft Files
- MSPAINT.EXE 5.1.2600.5918
- MSXML3.DLL 8.100.1052.0
- QUARTZ.DLL 6.5.1.914
- VC_R_9X.EXE (Visual C++ 2008 Runtime)
- WORDPAD.EXE 5.00.2195.7155
- USBVIEW.EXE 2.0.1.0
- Charmap from XP
Anti-Malware and Anti-Viruses
- Avast 4.8 (KernelEx 4.0rc2)
- SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition (2013 or earlier build) (KernelEx 4.5.2, XP mode)
Audio Editor
- Goldwave 5.52 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Help menu crashes
- CyberPower Audio Editing Lab 14.0.1
Back-Up
- SyncBack 3.2.21.0
Binary Comparing
- AptDiff - Version 1.6.1 not tested
CAD Software
Cloud Storage and FTP
- FileZilla 2.2.22
- Mozilla Thunderbird 3.1.20 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Crashes when attempting to print or preview a print. otherwise, works fine.
Coding Languages
Codecs
- LAVFilters-0.66.0-10 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; XP SP3 Mode)
- Cole2k Media Codec Pack 8.0.6 Advanced (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; XP SP3 Mode)
- K-Lite Codec Pack 5.9.0 (KernelEx 4.5.2, XP SP2 Mode) - Takes a very long time to install (used on a physical Pentium M PC).
**Later versions do work with errors.
- Cole2k Media CodecPack 7.9.0 (KernelEx 4.0)
- DC-Bass Source Filter 1.2 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Version 1.3 not tested
- FFDShow MPEG-4 Video Decoder 1.1.3943 (KernelEx 4.5.1, XP)
- Haali Media Splitter 1.13?
- XP-Codec Pack 2.5.0 (KernelEx 4.0rc2)
Note: While using codecs, be sure to adjust compatibility for your player. Even if your player is natively compatible with Windows 98/ME. Many codec programs may not be detected by players.
Compilers
Document Creator (PDF)
- I2pdf 1.020 - Latest version not tested
Document Viewer (PDF, Epub, etc.)
- Haihaisoft PDF Reader 1.5.7.0 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; XP SP3 Mode)
- SumatraPDF 1.1 Portable
- SumatraPDF 2.2.1 Portable - Cannot change reader view type. Works fine otherwise.
- SumatraPDF 3.1.2 Portable
**SamutraPDF cannot print with 0.9 and later. To print requires KernelEx stubs.
**GDIPLUS.DLL is required for later than 1.2. This can be obtained from the unofficial 2008 C++ runtime!
**Additional system files from Windows XP required for 3.x.
- PDF Xchange Viewer 2.5.203 (KernelEx 4.5.2; Windows 2000 SP4)
- STDU Viewer 1.6.171 Portable - Portable version recommended.
- Foxit Reader 4.3.1 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Later versions require additional files.
- Foxit Reader 5.4.5.0124 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - MSXML4 SP2 and the GDIPLUS.DLL are required.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0.9 (KernelEx 4.5, W2K SP4) - Backup MSVCRT.DLL before installing.
- STDU Viewer 1.5.647 - View can be buggy.
Download Manager/Accelerator
- Download Master 5.7.5
- DownThemAll 2.0.x (KernelEx 4.5)
Diary
- Total Text Container (KernelEx 4.5, Windows 2000 mode)
Disk/Disc Burning Software
- Burnaware Free 2.4.2 (KernelEx 4.0) - Delete the WnASPI32.dll from installations folder!
- Infrarecorder 0.50 (KernelEx 4.0)
- Nero Burning ROM 7
Digital Art Software
- GIMP 2.2.17 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Adobe Photoshop CS (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- ArtRage 2.5
- ArtWeaver 0.5.7 (KernelEx 4.0)
- Corel Paint Shop Pro X
- Kerkythea (2013 or earlier build) - Needs retesting
- Pixelformer 0.9.6.3
- Starry Night CASP 6
- Wings3D 1.0
Firewall
- ZoneAlarm Pro 4.0 (KernelEx 4.0rc2)
Encryption
- SophosFreeEncrytion 2.40.0, KX 4.0
File Achieve/Zip Software
- Easy 7-Zip 0.9.6
- Universal Extractor 1.6 beta
Firewall
IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
- Visual C++ Toolkit 2003
Image Resizer
- Liquid Resize 0.67
Image Viewers
- IfranView 4.54 Portable (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; XP SP3 Mode)
- Google Picasa 3
- PhotoCreator SE (2013 or earlier build) - Available in Japanese only.
Picture-to-Text Converter (ORC)
- TopOCR 2.6 (KernelEx 4.0)
Post Script Viewer
Isolation Software
Math
- Calcplus
Media Converter
Media Players
- Media Player Classic Home Cinema 1.5.0.2827 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24, Enhanced Bases) - Set compatibility mode to Windows XP SP3 only when you install. Set back to Enhanced Bases (api fixes + extensions) once done! Also change the DirectShow Video to default for MP4's! Requires codecs to work!
- VLC Player 1.1.1 - Version I personally recommend.
- VLC Player 2.0.5 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; Base Enhancements) - Will be crash a lot if set to XP mode. Later versions require additional steps. Version 3.0 works with the additional KernelEx files located at the top of the page, thanks to Blackwingcat's ntdll from his Windows 2000 KernelEx. ;)
- VLC Player 3.0.0 - Requires these additional dll's to work!
**Additional system files from Windows XP required for 3.x.
- PDF Xchange Viewer 2.5.203 (KernelEx 4.5.2; Windows 2000 SP4)
- STDU Viewer 1.6.171 Portable - Portable version recommended.
- Foxit Reader 4.3.1 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Later versions require additional files.
- Foxit Reader 5.4.5.0124 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - MSXML4 SP2 and the GDIPLUS.DLL are required.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0.9 (KernelEx 4.5, W2K SP4) - Backup MSVCRT.DLL before installing.
- STDU Viewer 1.5.647 - View can be buggy.
Download Manager/Accelerator
- Download Master 5.7.5
- DownThemAll 2.0.x (KernelEx 4.5)
Diary
- Total Text Container (KernelEx 4.5, Windows 2000 mode)
Disk/Disc Burning Software
- Burnaware Free 2.4.2 (KernelEx 4.0) - Delete the WnASPI32.dll from installations folder!
- Infrarecorder 0.50 (KernelEx 4.0)
- Nero Burning ROM 7
Digital Art Software
- GIMP 2.2.17 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Adobe Photoshop CS (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- ArtRage 2.5
- ArtWeaver 0.5.7 (KernelEx 4.0)
- Corel Paint Shop Pro X
- Kerkythea (2013 or earlier build) - Needs retesting
- Pixelformer 0.9.6.3
- Starry Night CASP 6
- Wings3D 1.0
Firewall
- ZoneAlarm Pro 4.0 (KernelEx 4.0rc2)
Encryption
- SophosFreeEncrytion 2.40.0, KX 4.0
File Achieve/Zip Software
- Easy 7-Zip 0.9.6
- Universal Extractor 1.6 beta
Firewall
IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
- Visual C++ Toolkit 2003
Image Resizer
- Liquid Resize 0.67
Image Viewers
- IfranView 4.54 Portable (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; XP SP3 Mode)
- Google Picasa 3
- PhotoCreator SE (2013 or earlier build) - Available in Japanese only.
Picture-to-Text Converter (ORC)
- TopOCR 2.6 (KernelEx 4.0)
Post Script Viewer
Isolation Software
Math
- Calcplus
Media Converter
Media Players
- Media Player Classic Home Cinema 1.5.0.2827 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24, Enhanced Bases) - Set compatibility mode to Windows XP SP3 only when you install. Set back to Enhanced Bases (api fixes + extensions) once done! Also change the DirectShow Video to default for MP4's! Requires codecs to work!
- VLC Player 1.1.1 - Version I personally recommend.
- VLC Player 2.0.5 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; Base Enhancements) - Will be crash a lot if set to XP mode. Later versions require additional steps. Version 3.0 works with the additional KernelEx files located at the top of the page, thanks to Blackwingcat's ntdll from his Windows 2000 KernelEx. ;)
- VLC Player 3.0.0 - Requires these additional dll's to work!
- ZoomPlayer 12.5 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; Base Enhancements) - Must be installed in legacy mode. The program must have KernelEx enabled to work to play videos with codecs. Gives errors during install, but works anyway.
**ZoomPlayer 14.5 has issues detecting codecs and will not run properly.
- Haihaisoft Universal Player 1.5.8.0 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24) - Has one bug: the process does not end after exiting. May experience slowdown with large videos.
- SMPlayer 14.3.0 Portable (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; Base Enhancements) - Slidebar does not work, video cannot be paused, and pressing stop will crash the player.
- UMPlayer 0.98 Portable (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24) - Slidebar does not work. Media player also crashes once done. Older versions appear to have the issues as well.
- AlShow 1.7 (KernelEx 4.0)
- KMPlayer 4.0.4.6 (KernelEx 4.5.2, XP)
- PotPlayer - Compatible version TBA
- MPlayerWW (early 2014 build) (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Compatible version TBA
- Kool Playa (early 2014 or older build) (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Compatible version TBA
- Sherpya MPlayer svn-r36443 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - requires Windows UPX (v3.91 CLI) for later versions
- Redxii MPlayer
- mplayer2 2.0
- Quicktime Alternative 2.9.0 (KernelEx 4.0)
- Realtime Alternative 2.0.1 (KernelEx 4.0)
**Personally, I would advise using TCPMP player instead, on a Windows 9x machine for MP4 files. This player renders MP4 files well on very weak machines and does not require KernelEx.
Mounting/ISO Software
MP3/Music Player
- foobar2000 0.9.4.x - Set registry: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion] CurrentVersion key to 5.1. Change back on installed.
- Winamp Pro 5.541 (KernelEx 4.5.1, XP mode)
Network
Notepad Programs
Office Suite
- OpenOffice 3.2.1 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Requires Internet Explorer 5.5 installed
- Kingsoft Presentation 8.1.0.3030 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- AbiWord 2.8.6 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- WordPerfect X3
- TextMaker Viewer 2010 - Word file viewer; may crash when attempting to open html files.
**ZoomPlayer 14.5 has issues detecting codecs and will not run properly.
- Haihaisoft Universal Player 1.5.8.0 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24) - Has one bug: the process does not end after exiting. May experience slowdown with large videos.
- SMPlayer 14.3.0 Portable (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24; Base Enhancements) - Slidebar does not work, video cannot be paused, and pressing stop will crash the player.
- UMPlayer 0.98 Portable (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24) - Slidebar does not work. Media player also crashes once done. Older versions appear to have the issues as well.
- AlShow 1.7 (KernelEx 4.0)
- KMPlayer 4.0.4.6 (KernelEx 4.5.2, XP)
- PotPlayer - Compatible version TBA
- MPlayerWW (early 2014 build) (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Compatible version TBA
- Kool Playa (early 2014 or older build) (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Compatible version TBA
- Sherpya MPlayer svn-r36443 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - requires Windows UPX (v3.91 CLI) for later versions
- Redxii MPlayer
- mplayer2 2.0
- Quicktime Alternative 2.9.0 (KernelEx 4.0)
- Realtime Alternative 2.0.1 (KernelEx 4.0)
**Personally, I would advise using TCPMP player instead, on a Windows 9x machine for MP4 files. This player renders MP4 files well on very weak machines and does not require KernelEx.
MP3/Music Player
- foobar2000 0.9.4.x - Set registry: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion] CurrentVersion key to 5.1. Change back on installed.
- Winamp Pro 5.541 (KernelEx 4.5.1, XP mode)
Network
Notepad Programs
Office Suite
- OpenOffice 3.2.1 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Requires Internet Explorer 5.5 installed
- Kingsoft Presentation 8.1.0.3030 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- AbiWord 2.8.6 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- WordPerfect X3
- TextMaker Viewer 2010 - Word file viewer; may crash when attempting to open html files.
- TextMaker 2008 - (KernelEx 4.5.2, Windows XP SP2 mode)
Password Managers
- Odin Password Security Manager 6.5.2
Partitioning Software
Security
- Eraser 5.8.2 rev. 3 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Passwordfolder 1.0b
Screen Capture
- Siteshoter 1.38 (KernelEx 4.0)
Screen Recorder
- Super2009 build 36 (KernelEx 4.0)
Screensavers
- MSN Fireplace (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24, Enhanced Bases) - Be sure to enable KernelEx for the actual screensaver located in the C:\Windows\System directory!
Social Media Client
System Profiler
- PC-Wizard 2010.1.95 - Some information does not report correctly.
System Utilities
Text Editors
- Notepad++ 6.3.1 (KX 4.5.1)
Text-to-Speech Software
- Textaloud 2.303
Torrent Clients
- uTorrent 2.0.4 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Recommended version for stability; revolutions pack required for proper icons. Later versions experience instability.
- BitTorrent 6.4 (KernelEx 4.5)
Video Editors
- AviDemux 2.5.2 (KernelEx 4.0) - Volume adjustment does not work.
Video Game Engine
Virtualization/Emulation Software
- BOCHS PC emulator 2.5 (KernelEx 4.5.1, XP) - Later versions untested.
- QEMU PC Emulator 0.13.0 (KX 4.5.1, XP mode)
VPN Software
VST Software/Plugins
- BlueCat VST and DirectX audio plugins (2011 builds) - Free plugin packs tested only.
- Triple Cheese (2013 or older builds)
- Voxengo VST plugins (2013 or older builds) - Tested on the free plugins only.
- VST plugins by Melda Productions (2013 or older builds)
- VST plugins requiring the Pluggo Runtime (2013 or older builds)
Wireless Clients
Web Browsers
- Firefox 48.0.2
Password Managers
- Odin Password Security Manager 6.5.2
Partitioning Software
Security
- Eraser 5.8.2 rev. 3 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Passwordfolder 1.0b
Screen Capture
- Siteshoter 1.38 (KernelEx 4.0)
Screen Recorder
- Super2009 build 36 (KernelEx 4.0)
Screensavers
- MSN Fireplace (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24, Enhanced Bases) - Be sure to enable KernelEx for the actual screensaver located in the C:\Windows\System directory!
Social Media Client
System Profiler
- PC-Wizard 2010.1.95 - Some information does not report correctly.
System Utilities
Text Editors
- Notepad++ 6.3.1 (KX 4.5.1)
Text-to-Speech Software
- Textaloud 2.303
Torrent Clients
- uTorrent 2.0.4 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - Recommended version for stability; revolutions pack required for proper icons. Later versions experience instability.
- BitTorrent 6.4 (KernelEx 4.5)
Video Editors
- AviDemux 2.5.2 (KernelEx 4.0) - Volume adjustment does not work.
Video Game Engine
Virtualization/Emulation Software
- BOCHS PC emulator 2.5 (KernelEx 4.5.1, XP) - Later versions untested.
- QEMU PC Emulator 0.13.0 (KX 4.5.1, XP mode)
VPN Software
VST Software/Plugins
- BlueCat VST and DirectX audio plugins (2011 builds) - Free plugin packs tested only.
- Triple Cheese (2013 or older builds)
- Voxengo VST plugins (2013 or older builds) - Tested on the free plugins only.
- VST plugins by Melda Productions (2013 or older builds)
- VST plugins requiring the Pluggo Runtime (2013 or older builds)
Wireless Clients
Web Browsers
- Firefox 48.0.2
**Follow all instructions in the video!
**Requires SSE2 CPU!!
**To fix font issues, I believe changing the default system font to Tahoma will fix the issue.
- Firefox 31.8esr Portable (mirror) (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24)
- Opera 12.02
- QtWeb 3.2 - Recommended build
- Qupzilla 1.1.5 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24) - Launches, but very sluggish. Cannot display pages due to certificate and unsupported protocols.
- Firefox 3.6.28 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Pale Moon 3.6.26
- Firefox 9 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - It's advised to use Firefox 9 instead for stability. Firefox 10 is reported to freeze often.
- Mozilla Seamonkey 2.1 alpha 3 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Flock 3.5.3.4641 - Firefox clone
- Roytam1's Palemoon 27 (No SSE2 build) - Reported to work, but is super slow.
- Roytam1's fixed Firefox 8 - Includes TLS 1.2 support.
- Firefox 24 - Requires additional extensions. Follow instructions on topic!
Web Plugins
- Adobe Flash Player 11.2 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Opera 12.02
- QtWeb 3.2 - Recommended build
- Qupzilla 1.1.5 (KernelEx 4.5.2019.24) - Launches, but very sluggish. Cannot display pages due to certificate and unsupported protocols.
- Firefox 3.6.28 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Pale Moon 3.6.26
- Firefox 9 (KernelEx 4.5.2) - It's advised to use Firefox 9 instead for stability. Firefox 10 is reported to freeze often.
- Mozilla Seamonkey 2.1 alpha 3 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Flock 3.5.3.4641 - Firefox clone
- Roytam1's Palemoon 27 (No SSE2 build) - Reported to work, but is super slow.
- Roytam1's fixed Firefox 8 - Includes TLS 1.2 support.
- Firefox 24 - Requires additional extensions. Follow instructions on topic!
Web Plugins
- Adobe Flash Player 11.2 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Adobe Shockwave Player 10.2.0.23 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- Java Runtime Environment 6 update 31 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
Windows Customization
- types 1.9.3 (KernelEx 4.5.1, Windows 2000 SP4)
Windows Shells
- bbLean 1.17.1
Windows Patchers
Uninstaller
- Zsoft Uninstaller 2.5 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
USB Data-Check
- H2testw 1.4 (KernelEx 4.5.1)
Other
- Graphviz 2.28 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- AM-Deadlinks 3.3
- Audio-Con 1.0, KX 4.0
- xCHM (2013 or earlier build tested) - An excellent viewer for chm files.
- HOLMImpulse (2013 or older build) - Needs to be retested with newest KernelEx
- IrfanView Kadmos OCR plugin
- KnobMan and SkinMan (2013 or older build)
- LeaderTask personal organizer (2013 or older build)
- SISContents 1.57 - Maybe glitchy.
Games
Not Working
- VisualBoyAdvance M
- Haihaisoft Epub Reader 1.0.0.1 - Missing WINHTTP.DLL
- KMPlayer 3.1+ - Video itself does not play (unknown earlier versions work)
- Epsxe 2.0.0 and later
- PCSX-Reloaded 1.9.92 - Configuration screen won't accept any options.
- HUPlayer
- PotPlayer 1.7.7145
- 1964 (N64 Emulator)
- GomPlayer 2.1.47.5133
- Unlocker
- Bleachbit 2.0
- Java Runtime Environment 6 update 31 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
Windows Customization
- types 1.9.3 (KernelEx 4.5.1, Windows 2000 SP4)
Windows Shells
- bbLean 1.17.1
Windows Patchers
Uninstaller
- Zsoft Uninstaller 2.5 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
USB Data-Check
- H2testw 1.4 (KernelEx 4.5.1)
Other
- Graphviz 2.28 (KernelEx 4.5.2)
- AM-Deadlinks 3.3
- Audio-Con 1.0, KX 4.0
- xCHM (2013 or earlier build tested) - An excellent viewer for chm files.
- HOLMImpulse (2013 or older build) - Needs to be retested with newest KernelEx
- IrfanView Kadmos OCR plugin
- KnobMan and SkinMan (2013 or older build)
- LeaderTask personal organizer (2013 or older build)
- SISContents 1.57 - Maybe glitchy.
Games
Not Working
- VisualBoyAdvance M
- Haihaisoft Epub Reader 1.0.0.1 - Missing WINHTTP.DLL
- KMPlayer 3.1+ - Video itself does not play (unknown earlier versions work)
- Epsxe 2.0.0 and later
- PCSX-Reloaded 1.9.92 - Configuration screen won't accept any options.
- HUPlayer
- PotPlayer 1.7.7145
- 1964 (N64 Emulator)
- GomPlayer 2.1.47.5133
- Unlocker
- Bleachbit 2.0
