Is there a way to get Server 2008 to *appear* as Vista for installers?

Question

I have a tool that I want to install on my main development box (Windows Server 2008). The installer tells me that it requires Vista. Of course I'm not saying Server 2008 is Vista, but I figure something that installs on Vista should be able to install on Server 2008.

Is there some way (perhaps via a temporary registry change) to get a server 2008 system to appear as Vista for the purpose of installing software?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Win2008Workstation has an example guide of how to use Orca to patch an MSI file.

Answer 2

Have you tried the emulator for running the install, when right clicking and going in to the properties of the installer?

right click > properties > compatiblity > and change the compatibility mode to Windows XP or Windows Server 2003

Answer 3

A few ideas:

• If it's an MSI installer, download orca and delete the custom action that does the check
• Use a tool such as process monitor to watch what registry keys the installer reads and tweak them to match vista's.