First published: 30th April 2007
Vista will behave differently based on the name of an executable. If the name of a program contains “install”, then it will automatically require Admin rights to run in Vista, unless it includes a Manifest. Other behaviour changes as well – Vista will prevent drag'n'drop of files into the program, and, if the GetVersionEx() function is used to test the OS version, Vista “lies” and reports Windows XP.
This appears to be a “feature” designed to improve compatibility with older installation programs, but it has generated considerable debate and could be seen as a security flaw.