Predator Windows Requirements

Predator Applications

In general, support for a wide range of Microsoft Windows editions are included with Predator Software. In general, for the best experience, Predator Software recommends newer Windows OSes. Refer to the following grid for additional details:

Microsoft Windows Edition Predator Applications
NEW! Windows 2022 Server Version 12*
Windows 2019 Server Version 12* and 11
Windows 2016 Server Version 11 Only
NEW! Windows 11 Version 12*
Windows 10 Version 12* and 11
Windows IoT Enterprise Version 11 Only
Windows 2012 Server Version 11 and 10
Windows 8 and 8.1 Version 11 and 10 with TLS support on 8.1 only
Windows Embedded 8 and 8.1 Version 11 and 10 with TLS support on 8.1 only
Windows 7 Version 11 and 10 with no TLS support
Windows Embedded 7 Version 11 and 10 with no TLS support
Windows Embedded Standard 2009 Version 11 and 10 with no TLS support
Windows 2008 Server Version 11 and 10 with no TLS support
Windows Vista Version 11 and 10 with no TLS support
Windows Vista for Embedded Systems 7 Version 11 and 10 with no TLS support
Windows 2003 Server SP1 & SP2 Version 10 Only
Windows XP SP2 & SP3 Version 10 Only
Windows XP Embedded Version 10 Only

NOTE* Predator version 12 applications have not yet been released.

Predator applications support 32 bit and 64 bit Windows OS editions. The latest service packs for each OS should be installed. In addition, Predator applications support Windows Terminal Services and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. Within these thin client environments, Predator applications require Predator FLM.

NOTE: Different versions of Predator applications require different versions of the .Net Framework. All Predator installs include the appropriate .Net Framework versions automatically for installation on Windows client editions. Windows Server editions have to enable the .Net framework feature.

NOTE: Predator MDC Executive v11 and Predator FLM v11 do not support Windows XP or Windows 2003 Server. This is primarily due to security requirements.

NOTE: Installing Predator CNC Service v11, Predator Import Service v11 and Predator Export Service v11 on Windows XP requires Windows Installer v4.5 to be installed. Version 4.5 of Microsoft's Windows Installer can be downloaded from Microsoft via the following: Microsoft Windows Installer v4.5

NOTE: Specific OEMs or large accounts that have highly customized editions of Windows may introduce specific compatibility issues with Predator applications. The most common reason is removal of a Windows specific feature that is utilized by a Predator application.

NOTE: TLS support is specific to Microsoft SQL Server and does not apply to Microsoft Access or Oracle editions of Predator applications.

NOTE: All Windows based Predator applications are digitally signed. Certificate validation or potential revocation takes time, especially when Internet access is restricted. Application startup performance can be improved when customers implement a private certificate authority on a Windows Server on their network. Private CAs eliminate Internet delays during application startup for all software publishers. This issue is not Predator specific and is common with all digitally signed Windows applications.

Previous versions of Predator applications supported previous versions of Windows. Existing customers running Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT or Windows 2000 must upgrade to a newer OS prior to upgrading Predator.

Predator Secure Applications and Predator Touch HMI

Support for the following Microsoft Windows editions are included with all Predator Secure applications and Predator Touch HMI:

Microsoft Windows Edition
Windows 2019 Server
Windows 2016 Server
Windows 10
Windows IoT Enterprise
Windows 2012 Server
Windows 8
Windows Embedded 8 and 8.1
Windows 7
Windows Embedded 7
Windows Embedded Standard 2009
Windows 2008 Server
Windows Vista
Windows Vista for Embedded Systems
Windows 2003 Server
Windows XP
Windows XP Embedded
Windows 2000 Server
Windows 2000 Professional
Windows ME
Windows NT 4.0
Windows NT 3.51 and 3.5
Windows NT Embedded 4.0
Windows 98
Windows 95

NOTE: Includes support for 32 bit and 64 bit editions. The latest service packs for each OS should be installed.

Incompatible Windows Editions

Over the years, Microsoft has released wide range of Windows editions. The following list of Windows editions are incompatible with Predator applications and utilities:

Microsoft Windows Edition
Windows 10 S
Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise
Windows 10 IoT Core
Windows RT
Windows Embedded 8 Standard
Windows Embedded Compact 7
Windows Embedded Compact 2013
Windows Embedded CE
Windows CE
Windows Mobile 6.5, 6.1 and 6.0
Windows Mobile 5
Windows Mobile 2003 and 2003 SE
Windows Pocket PC 2002 and 2000
Windows NT Alpha

NOTE: Not all incompatible Windows editions are listed. Many of the above editions use non x86 style processors or are too niche to be supported by Predator Software.

Windows 10 S one time upgrade

Windows 10 S based PCs are a special case. Microsoft does provide a one-time migration from Windows 10 S to Windows 10. Once the PC is converted to Windows 10 it is fully supported by all Predator applications.

Windows End of Life

In general, Predator Software provides Predator Premier Support long after Microsoft ends support for their operating systems. However, the Microsoft End of life dates establish hard stops for Microsoft updates and bug fixes. Predator Software recommends staying current with Microsoft Windows and EOL dates should be reviewed prior to deploying any new system or when planning upgrades to existing systems.

NOTE: Microsoft defines Mainstream EOL as the end of any OS improvements and Extended EOL as the end of any bug fixes.

Microsoft Windows Edition Mainstream EOL Extended EOL
Windows 2019 Server January 9th 2024 January 9th 2029
Windows 2016 Server January 11th 2022 January 12th 2027
Windows 10 January 9th 2024 January 9th 2029
Windows IoT Enterprise January 9th 2024 January 9th 2029
Windows 2012 Server October 9th 2018 October 10th 2023
Windows 8 January 9th 2018 January 10th 2020
Windows Embedded 8 and 8.1 July 10th 2018 July 11th 2023
Windows 7 January 13th 2015 January 14th 2020
Windows Embedded 7 October 13th 2015 October 13th 2020
Windows Embedded Standard 2009 January 14th 2014 January 8th 2019
Windows 2008 Server January 13th 2015 January 14th 2020
Windows Vista April 10th 2012 April 11th 2017
Windows 2003 Server SP1 & SP2 July 13th 2010 July 14th 2015
Windows XP SP2 & SP3 April 14th 2009 April 8th 2014
Windows XP Embedded SP3 January 11th 2011 January 12th 2016

NOTE: The above dates are published by Microsoft. Different editions of Windows may have different end of life support dates.

More Self Help Articles

100+ Self Help Articles covering a wide range of technical details, references and processes are available on this web site to help support and troubleshoot Predator application issues.