RTPatch Overview

Byte-Level Differencing

Features

What's New

15 Years of RTPatch

Platforms

More Information

RTPatch for Windows: Version 10.50

Current version 10.50 introduces new Windows Vista features and expands RTPatch's support for Windows x64 Edition operating systems.

Vista-specific RTPatch 10.50 Benefits

• User Access Control (UAC) awareness in RTPatch reduces end-user frustrations by eliminating unnecessary requests for Administrator password when performing non-Administrator system changes
• New Apply error messages provide end-users with clear reasons for failure and resolution steps when UAC restrictions are encountered, thereby improving your customers' satisfaction with the patch process
• Increased developer productivity through new support of Vista in developer tools and documentation

Other RTPatch 10.50 Benefits

• New Build commands eliminate the need for repetitive commands and streamline the Build process. Not only do these commands save developer time, but they also increase accuracy by reducing the opportunity for "clerical errors" in the Build process
• Enhanced History patch import functionality creates new ways to store and manage patch files for long-term product support
• Expanded 64-bit Build support provides new Build options for greater developer flexibility
• Enhanced Build Wizard, improved logging and better default settings make it even easier to create small patches quickly, thereby enabling developers to faster patch turnaround

Highlighted Features

1. Application manifests embedded in all RTPatch and RTPatch-generated executables
2. New EZPatch command, RequireAdmin
3. All RTPatch executables digitally signed
4. New error handling for errors encountered under Windows Vista's UAC
5. New Help file format for developers on Vista
6. Expanded Native 64-bit Support
7. New "Recursive" Build commands
8. History Patch Improvements
9. Enhanced Build Wizard
10. Improved Windows Installer Logging
11. Default Setting Improved for smaller patch files
12. New Build Wizard commands

RTPatch 10.00 users with current Support Service may download the 10.50 Service Pack. Email your RTPatch serial number to Technical Support to obtain download instructions.

Application manifests embedded in all RTPatch and RTPatch-generated executables

To expand on existing Windows Vista support added in version 10.00, version 10.50 adds application manifests to all RTPatch executables with the requestedExecutionLevel set to "AsInvoker." In most cases, this will result in non-admin rights, enabling RTPatch executables to run without requiring an Administrator password. In previous versions of RTPatch, the User Access Control (UAC) feature of Windows Vista would determine that any RTPatch or RTPatch-generated executable required Administrative rights, even if it did not perform Administrative actions. This is due to the "Installer Heuristic" feature of UAC. All RTPatch executables can still be granted Administrator rights using Windows Vista options. This change is by the request of the majority of RTPatch users.

New EZPatch command, RequireAdmin

New EZPatch command, RequireAdmin enables the patch builder to indicate that a patch EXE should request Administrator rights at startup when executing under UAC on Windows Vista. By default, all RTPatch-generated executables will not request Administrator rights at startup. If, however, the RTPatch developer is creating a patch that will modify resources that require Administrator rights (e.g., the Windows, System or Program Files directories, or the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry hive), then the RequireAdmin command should be used.

All RTPatch executables digitally signed

All RTPatch utilities are now digitally signed in anticipation of stricter requirements in upcoming releases of the Vista operating system. EZPatch executables have supported code signing since version 8.00.

New error handling for errors encountered under Windows Vista's UAC

New error code 49, "This RTPatch upgrade requires Administrative rights. Please rerun with the 'Run as administrator' option," provides more meaningful feedback to Windows Vista end-users who encounter problems applying patches with UAC enabled.

New Help file format for developers on Vista

Since Windows Vista does not support Windows Help Format (HLP files), RTPatch documentation is now provided in compiled HTML format (CHM).

Expanded Native 64-bit Support

Version 10 of RTPatch expands 64-bit support in RTPatch for AMD64 and EM64T technology by introducing a native Win64 Build option. The new 64-bit Build option creates compatible patch files with the Win32 Build/Apply options. The only difference is the underlying hardware support. With version 10, RTPatch now offers native Win64 Build and Apply solutions. RTPatch's 64-bit support now includes:

• Native Mode: Version 10 RTPatch introduces native 64-bit support for RTPatch Build (64-bit native mode for RTPatch Apply was introduced in RTPatch version 9). A new 64-bit EXE, pbld-v64.exe will only run on x64 Edition Windows operating systems, but will create patches that can be applied on any support Windows OS, including Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT/2000/XP, DOS, Windows (16-bit). (Enterprise Edition Only)
  
• Legacy Mode: 32-bit RTPatch Build and Apply executes under a 32-bit Windows OS running on AMD64 or EM64T.
  
• Compatibility Mode: 32-bit RTPatch Build and Apply executes under Windows x64 Editions, under the WOW64 architecture.
  

New "Recursive" Build commands

New RTPatch Build commands, RFILE, RIGNORE, RNEWIGNORE and ROLDIGNORE greatly simplify the patch building process when trying to assign options to an entire directory tree, including subdirectories. Previously, it was necessary to include separate commands for each directory and subdirectory thereof. In cases of complex directory trees, this was a time consuming and tedious process. The new recursive file commands make it easy to replace all of those individual commands with a single command.

History Patch Improvements

History patch file can now be imported into new history patch files. Previously, you could only import version-to-version patches. The ability to import a history patch into another history patch makes it even easier for developers to maintain patch files and quickly support new versions.

Enhanced Build Wizard

The RTPatch Build Wizard is now more integrated with the Build process, enabling Build Wizard users to have more interactive control of the Build process and more easily see the progress and operations undertaken by the Wizard.

Improved Windows Installer Logging

RTPatch for Windows Installer log files have been enhanced to provide more detail, including patch file size and percent reduction. This helps to spot possible inefficiencies and improve overall patch file size. (Enterprise Edition Only)

Default Setting Improved for smaller patch files

The default algorithm settings have been changed so that the smallest possible patch files are attempted without special instructions.

New Build Wizard commands

The Build Wizard now accepts options to create hidden EZPatch executables (no dialog shown to the end-user) as well as the ALLOWDUPLICATES command. This enables Build Wizard users to more easily set these options without having to type in "verbatim" commands, thereby simplifying the Build process.