# Does DrRacket 8.7 start on Windows 7? **URL:** \ **Category:** Internals\ **Created:** [January 14, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637 "2023-01-14T15:59:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jbclements](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/jbclements/32/11_2.png) [@jbclements](https://racket.discourse.group/u/jbclements)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/1 "2023-01-14T15:59:30Z")
This github issue: > > > Does Racket 8.x actually run on Windows 7 as the Download page suggests ? > I'm h…aving problems installing herbie on it, and DrRacket.exe also does not start, instead there are multiple DLL related errors. > > \*\*What version of Racket are you using?\*\* > 8.7 > > \*\*What program did you run?\*\* > raco pkg install --auto herbie > > \*\*What should have happened?\*\* > Herbie should have installed properly. > > \*\*If you got an error message, please include it here.\*\* > \`\`\` > Resolving "herbie" via https://download.racket-lang.org/releases/8.7/catalog/ > Resolving "herbie" via https://pkgs.racket-lang.org > Downloading repository https://github.com/uwplse/herbie.git?path=src#v1.6 commit 600fd02dd9057ff758c4c73f806e323470f72a02 > make-file-or-directory-link: cannot make link > path: e:\\Temp\\UserTemp\\SYSTEM\\16736245871673624587460-uwplse\_herbie\_git\_v1\_6\\www\\doc\\latest > system error: The parameter is incorrect.; win\_err=87 > context...: > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\net\\git-checkout.rkt:776:3 > \[repeats 2 more times\] > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\net\\git-checkout.rkt:167:11 > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\net\\git-checkout.rkt:55:2: retry-loop > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\pkg\\private\\download.rkt:102:2: download! > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\file\\cache.rkt:63:2: fetch-and-continue > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\racket\\contract\\private\\arrow-val-first.rkt:555:3 > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\pkg\\private\\download.rkt:94:0: download-repo! > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\pkg\\private\\stage.rkt:319:11 > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\pkg\\private\\stage.rkt:115:0: stage-package/info > \[repeats 1 more time\] > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\pkg\\private\\install.rkt:142:0: install-packages > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\pkg\\private\\install.rkt:953:4 > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\racket\\contract\\private\\arrow-val-first.rkt:555:3 > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\racket\\file.rkt:763:8 > G:\\Progs\\Racket\\collects\\racket\\file.rkt:752:0: call-with-file-lock > ... > \`\`\` > > \*\*Please include any other relevant details\*\* > Windows 7 > "Run as Administrator" was used for the prompt ... suggests that Racket 8.7 does not start on Windows 7. Does anyone here have a test machine, or know of a trustworthy VPS provider that supports Windows 7 instances? ---
**Author:** ![shhyou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@shhyou](https://racket.discourse.group/u/shhyou)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/2 "2023-01-14T17:12:56Z")
I found this thread but there's no answer > [@Does Racket run on Windows 7?](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-racket-run-on-windows-7/1351): > > A user of ActivityLog2 reported that the application fails to run on Window7, and the application is built using Racket 8.6 CS. Since the application itself does not load additional DLLs except for what Racket libraries load, I suspect this is a problem with Racket itself, however I have no way to verify this. The racket download page at [Racket: Racket 8.6](https://download.racket-lang.org/releases/8.6/) indicates that "Windows 7 and up" is supported, but does anyone actually use Windows 7 and can confirm that DrRacket starts up OK? I can … ---
**Author:** ![hendrikboom3](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/hendrikboom3/32/2748_2.png) [@hendrikboom3](https://racket.discourse.group/u/hendrikboom3)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 4:18am UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/3 "2023-01-16T04:18:19Z")
I recetly acquired an old Windows laptop, but have not used it, and have no idea whether is it Windows 7 or some kind of windows 8. I haven't even booted it. Is there a safe way to fine out without risking it on the internet? It's likely not even slightly up-to-date. Does Windows 7 need to phone home? -- hendrik ---
**Author:** ![joskoot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/joskoot/32/1964_2.png) [@joskoot](https://racket.discourse.group/u/joskoot)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 1:40pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/4 "2023-01-16T13:40:49Z")
On my windows 7 laptop 8.6 cs , 8.7 cs, 8.6 BC and 8.7 BS cannot start up. ---
**Author:** ![jbclements](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/jbclements/32/11_2.png) [@jbclements](https://racket.discourse.group/u/jbclements)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/5 "2023-01-16T19:59:19Z")
Many thanks for your detective work! How about earlier versions? Does 8.5 start up? ---
**Author:** ![joskoot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/joskoot/32/1964_2.png) [@joskoot](https://racket.discourse.group/u/joskoot)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 6:08am UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/6 "2023-01-17T06:08:57Z")
Yes 8.5 does work well. ---
**Author:** ![mflatt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/mflatt/32/6_2.png) [@mflatt](https://racket.discourse.group/u/mflatt)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 2:21pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/7 "2023-01-24T14:21:11Z")
The issue appears to be with a rebuilt library starting version 8.6. Copying the `.dll` files form a v8.5 installation's `lib` directory to the `lib` directory of an v8.7 installation allows DrRacket to run on the Windows 7 installation that I tried. The specific failure that I saw with a plain v8.7 installation was about `ScriptIsComplex` — probably as referenced by Pango, and the note about Windows 7 compatibility on [ScriptIsComplex function (usp10.h) - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/api/usp10/nf-usp10-scriptiscomplex) is probably relevant. I'll check whether adjusting Pango linking helps, but there may be other problems. ---
**Author:** ![mflatt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/mflatt/32/6_2.png) [@mflatt](https://racket.discourse.group/u/mflatt)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/8 "2023-01-25T02:49:15Z")
Changing the link order for `libpangowin32-1.0-0.dll` did the trick. For someone who needs a quick repair, if you don't want to install an old version to get the old DLLs, here's the only DLL that needs to be replaced: [https://www.cs.utah.edu/~mflatt/tmp/libpangowin32-1.0-0.dll](https://www.cs.utah.edu/~mflatt/tmp/libpangowin32-1.0-0.dll) (32-bit version: [https://www.cs.utah.edu/~mflatt/tmp/32/libpangowin32-1.0-0.dll](https://www.cs.utah.edu/~mflatt/tmp/32/libpangowin32-1.0-0.dll)) ---
**Author:** ![jbclements](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/jbclements/32/11_2.png) [@jbclements](https://racket.discourse.group/u/jbclements)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/9 "2023-07-10T18:18:01Z")
Calling all Windows 7 users! (Or, perhaps more accurately, _anyone_ who even has access to a Windows 7 machine.) Can anyone test and make sure that the 8.9 release of DrRacket works correctly on Windows 7? ---
**Author:** ![joskoot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/joskoot/32/1964_2.png) [@joskoot](https://racket.discourse.group/u/joskoot)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 11:32am UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/10 "2023-07-12T11:32:32Z")
No, it cannot find a dynamic link to library GDI32.dll Jos ![49C29F22FA914E7CA5B25D35AE6EFB5F.png](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/racket/original/1X/2e839751fd263c2803de1577258c08f5c6235600.png) ---
**Author:** ![joskoot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/joskoot/32/1964_2.png) [@joskoot](https://racket.discourse.group/u/joskoot)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 11:40am UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/11 "2023-07-12T11:40:28Z")
8.5 and 8.9 cs do start. ---
**Author:** ![jbclements](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/jbclements/32/11_2.png) [@jbclements](https://racket.discourse.group/u/jbclements)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/12 "2023-07-12T17:46:21Z")
Right, yes, v8.9 was the one we were hoping was fixed. @joskoot , do you have time between the 17th and 22nd of this month to try this again with an 8.10 release candidate? ---
**Author:** ![joskoot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/joskoot/32/1964_2.png) [@joskoot](https://racket.discourse.group/u/joskoot)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/13 "2023-07-12T18:52:02Z")
@jbclements Yes, I hope my old desktop will still be working. It is slow and dying slowly, the keyboard already has died, but I’ll try. Give me a reminder please around the 17th. ![49C29F22FA914E7CA5B25D35AE6EFB5F.png](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/racket/original/1X/2e839751fd263c2803de1577258c08f5c6235600.png) ---
**Author:** ![joskoot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/joskoot/32/1964_2.png) [@joskoot](https://racket.discourse.group/u/joskoot)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/14 "2023-07-17T16:48:11Z")
Where can I find 8.10. Do you want both cd and BC checked? I have looked in the snapshots, but it does not explicitly mention 8.10. > Is > SHA256: f455fddea8baf7541b7ccde5dd64bec2b0fd1b9c757300eeca4e9cb0b5a0c0ba > > | > > - | Correct? I’ll have time tomorrow or the two days after. ![CDB1082726844D918BE7783AA9FC70BB.png](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/racket/original/2X/3/37e291e0cf5709ac4eee7ff72aad9395c17686d5.png) ---
**Author:** ![EdThePro](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/edthepro/32/1306_2.png) [@EdThePro](https://racket.discourse.group/u/EdThePro)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/15 "2023-07-17T21:16:00Z")
Hey there 😇 The candidates seem to be here: [Racket: Racket Pre-Release 8.9.900 (racket-lang.org)](https://pre-release.racket-lang.org/), if I'm not mistaken. From the looks of the past releases, `x.x.900` seems to be a candidate for the following release. _Have a great week everyone!_ ---
**Author:** ![jbclements](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/jbclements/32/11_2.png) [@jbclements](https://racket.discourse.group/u/jbclements)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/16 "2023-07-17T21:47:58Z")
Yep ... I'm waiting for the next build to finish, I'm hoping it will be the one we use for testing. ---
**Author:** ![joskoot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/joskoot/32/1964_2.png) [@joskoot](https://racket.discourse.group/u/joskoot)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2023, 5:05pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/17 "2023-07-18T17:05:07Z")
Yes, 8.9.900 cs works on windows 7. Should I check BC too? ![49C29F22FA914E7CA5B25D35AE6EFB5F.png](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/racket/original/1X/2e839751fd263c2803de1577258c08f5c6235600.png) ---
**Author:** ![joskoot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/joskoot/32/1964_2.png) [@joskoot](https://racket.discourse.group/u/joskoot)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/18 "2023-07-18T17:19:20Z")
Did check BC too. Works too. ---
**Author:** ![jbclements](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/jbclements/32/11_2.png) [@jbclements](https://racket.discourse.group/u/jbclements)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/19 "2023-07-18T17:21:32Z")
Sure! There's also another build coming, you're welcome to wait a day if you like. ---
**Author:** ![jbclements](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/racket.discourse.group/jbclements/32/11_2.png) [@jbclements](https://racket.discourse.group/u/jbclements)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637/20 "2023-07-18T17:22:09Z")
Oh! All done then! Many thanks. Be prepared for me to contact you again in 3 months, for the next release :). [Next page](https://racket.discourse.group/t/does-drracket-8-7-start-on-windows-7/1637.md?page=2)