Windows XP InitializeCriticalSectionEx not found in KERNEL32.dll (from InstallShield 2013 to InstallShield 2023)

[ekgns1126]

We have a project in use at InstallShield 2013.

We need to move this project to InstallShield 2023.

I was able to use InstallShield 2023 to create setup.exe without changing the project I was using.

But there's a problem.

If you created setup.exe using InstallShield 2013, it also worked fine in Windows XP environments.

However, if you created setup.exe using InstallShield 2023, an error occurs when you run it in a Windows XP environment.

Please check the attached file below for the error message.

If you check the MSDE below, it seems that the InitializeCriticalSectionEx function is supported by Windows Vista and later operating systems.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/synchapi/nf-synchapi-initializecriticalsectionex

1) Does anyone use InstallShield 2023 to create and use setup.exe for Windows XP SP3?

2) What do you think is the problem of error like above?

I need your help. Please help me.

[shunt · Accepted solution]

The first thing of note here is that Installshield 2023 doesn't list Windows XP SP3 as a supported OS that it can target:

https://docs.revenera.com/installshield/helplibrary/RequirementsforSystem.htm#introduction_1092564648_10235

Its clear from the error that Installshield 2023 is using "InitializeCriticalSectionEx" - which according to Microsoft's documentation Windows XP SP3 doesn't support.
The Ex at the end of the API denotes that it has extended functionality which the development team may be utilising which is why it has been included.

It would be unlikely that the Installshield Development Team would remove this API call to specifically support an End-of-Life operating system.

[stefanosarina]

Hello,
I also have the same problem described above. On the page at the following link https://www.revenera.com/install/products/installshield/installshield-requirements, it is indicated that the target system can also be Windows XP SP3. Since the page is active today, I assume it refers to InstallShield 2023 or higher. and therefore I would have expected my setup created with InstallShield 2023 to work on a Win XP SP3 target.
Unfortunately it doesn't work and the error "no entry point InitializeCriticalSectionEx..." appears.
Do you have any solution to this problem?
Thank you for support
Stefano