/pelauncher

Portable Executable launcher for Windows NT bypassing loader

Primary LanguageC++MIT LicenseMIT

Portable Executable launcher for Windows NT Build status

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Download

Visit artifacts page on AppVeyor

What is this?

This program allows to run any portable executable avoiding Windows checks. Examples:

  • I can start any Windows CE application (with WCECL) without editing executable. Windows will not check for subsystem;

  • Once I tried to start x86 Windows Longhorn 4074 kernel, which failed because HAL.dll and other libraries are not found;

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  • Windows 10 refuses to launch Windows XP setup (winnt32.exe), but this program allows. For some reason, setup fails because winnt32u.dll is not found, even if it exists. Maybe Windows blocks and LoadLibrary calls for this;

  • Also it can run native NT applications. Over Win32 subsystem. Even if they are x86 on x64 system. I tried to start smss.exe from ReactOS and it crashed my x64 Windows 10;

  • Also it avoid machine check, so it starts even ARM software;

  • Also it may avoid some antivirus software.

Requirements

  • Minimal OS version: Windows XP (not tested);
  • Recommended OS version: Windows 10;
  • Only x86. There are ARM and x64 builds, but they are broken.

Build

Visual Studio 2017 was used to create this project.

Credits

Interesting fact

Initially this program was made in VC6 for compatibility with old systems, like Windows NT 3.51:

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But then VS2017 solution was force-pushed instead of VC6 commits.