I run a server OS as my primary OS for my home lab, which is a hyper-v system. I’m not interested in dual-booting this system just to run a consumer OS so I can play with my Oculus Rift. So I explored bypassing these checks and this is how I was able to get my software to think it was running on a consumer OS.
First thing you need is Application Verifier. This utility allows you to customize shims for applications. Once it’s installed, go “File > Add Application” and add your application.
Under “Test” expand out compatibility, check “HighVersionLie” then right-click on it and select “Properties”
It’s here that you can now determine what “Product Type” this application will recognize the underlying OS as. The values for Product Type are:
|
Value
|
Meaning
|
|
VER_NT_DOMAIN_CONTROLLER
0x0000002
|
The system is a domain controller and the operating system is Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, or Windows 2000 Server.
|
|
VER_NT_SERVER
0x0000003
|
The operating system is Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, or Windows 2000 Server.
Note that a server that is also a domain controller is reported as VER_NT_DOMAIN_CONTROLLER, not VER_NT_SERVER.
|
|
VER_NT_WORKSTATION
0x0000001
|
The operating system is Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, or Windows 2000 Professional.
|
Specifying a value of 1 in Product Type simulates that this is a consumer/workstation OS and the Oculus Rift software now installs without issue.
