I have an application that is required to check the versions of various system EXEs and DLLs to determine if they are vulnerable or not. This is a native C++ application which does not provide any specific WinSxS linkages in its manifest. On Windows 7, when I invoke GetFileVersionInfo on an absolute path, for example "c:\windows\system32\taskeng.exe", I receive the version information for "C:\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-taskscheduler-engine_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.16385_none_e582a352202e02c8\taskeng.exe"
So, to clarify, the version c:\windows\system32\taskeng.exe reported by Windows Explorer is 6.1.7600.16699.
The version of c:\windows\system32\taskeng.exe reported by GetFileVersionInfo() is 6.1.7600.16385.
How do I force my app to not have its file redirected via WinSxS?
Are you sure you are looking at the correct fields? GetFileVersionInfo() gives me the same thing as Explorer with one caveat: the FileVersion in the StringFileInfo is 6.1.7600.16385 whereas the FileVersion in the VS_FIXEDFILEINFO is 6.1.7600.16699. Explorer is showing the FileVersion from the VS_FIXEDFILEINFO. I guess Microsoft just didn't update the StringFileInfo for some reason.
Here's a PowerShell script to show the difference. FileVersion is a string that is different than the composition of [FileMajorPart].[FileMinorPart].[FileBuildPart].[FilePrivatePart].
PS C:\> [System.Diagnostics.FileVersionInfo]::GetVersionInfo("c:\windows\system32\taskeng.exe") | Format-List -property *
Comments :
CompanyName : Microsoft Corporation
FileBuildPart : 7601
FileDescription : Task Scheduler Engine
FileMajorPart : 6
FileMinorPart : 1
FileName : c:\windows\system32\taskeng.exe
FilePrivatePart : 17514
FileVersion : 6.1.7600.16385 (win7_rtm.090713-1255)
InternalName : TaskEng
IsDebug : False
IsPatched : False
IsPrivateBuild : False
IsPreRelease : False
IsSpecialBuild : False
Language : English (United States)
LegalCopyright : © Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
LegalTrademarks :
OriginalFilename : taskeng.exe.mui
PrivateBuild :
ProductBuildPart : 7601
ProductMajorPart : 6
ProductMinorPart : 1
ProductName : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
ProductPrivatePart : 17514
ProductVersion : 6.1.7600.16385
SpecialBuild :
