So i have the dreaded "The program can't start because api-ms-win-crt-runtime-l1-1-0.dll is mising form your computer" error and ive read all about it. It seems the only fix is to install Service Pack 1 if you are on windows 7. Well i refuse to do this because i am avoiding windows 10 like the plague and having service pack 1 installed is a gateway for microsoft to automatically update your computer to windows 10.

So, am i screwed? Is there a fix for this or am i not using gog galaxy anymore?

I would really really really really like to use gog galaxy.

Thanks.

I have Service Pack 1 installed and my computer's still running 7. I do get "update to 10"-messages every once in a while and there was one point where it told me that it had an automatic update to 10 scheduled in two days time, but it had the option to reschedule or cancel the planned update. (I did the latter)

So while SP1 was definitely prodding the user, it hasn't forced any updates so far unless you're a person who clicks away messages without reading them first.

I understand what SP1 is and i understand everyone is going to tell me to install it but ive been using this set up for years and i feel i shouldn't have to be forced to do something different. GOG galaxy is acting like microsoft and is forcing people to install an update they might not want. It's pretty frustrating. yes i can install sp 1 but what if i dont want to? Yes great don't use GOG galaxy then... but what i want to use gog galaxy? I've been using it fine up until now and right when blood and wine comes out i have to deal with this. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

So Galaxy used to work fine on your system, but because of some update and/or new features it's no longer compatible? Odd... What exactly did they change about the client, and why does it suddenly require a different version of Windows? Maybe there's a way to only install certain files it needs, without installing that entire Windows update?

It's because gog galaxy now requires Visual C++ Redistributable 2015 and the only way to install it on windows 7 is with service pack 1 already installed.

You'll probably need that for many games and other software anyway. For what it's worth, there's various ( free ) programs, which can help you block any unwanted "upgrades" of your OS.

Microsoft will stop urging you to upgrade in about 2 months, so you could install SP1 at that point.

And it's not like you really need GOG Galaxy.

No it is not SP1 update that nag you to window 10, it is update KB 3035583

While you are at it, here is a list of window 7 update spyware that you may want to remove

KB2876229 SKYPE, If you want Skype then install it.

KB2923545 RDP

KB2970228

KB3035583

KB2990214

KB3021917

KB3068708 Telemetry

KB2592687

KB2660075

KB2506928

KB2952664 x2

KB3050265

KB2726535

KB2994023

KB3022345 Replaced by KB3068708 Telemetry

KB3022345 Caused false sfc result

KB2545698 (IE9)

KB3065987

https://www.hackread.com/microsoft-updates-spy-on-windows7-8-users/

^ this completely. Service pack 1 has nothing whatsoever to do with win 10 nagging, all my 7 installs are sp1 as that added a lot of compatibility and additional components which apps required, and yes you will be screwed without it. Install sp1, and either remove the updates above or use never10 program to do it for you.

install SP1 and then run this standalone portable program:
https://www.grc.com/never10.htm

Be aware that this will only change a registry setting to stop the Win10 upgrade/nagging - if you care about the telemetry crap MS has been trying to sneak into Win7 you'll still need to uninstall the updates mentioned by Gnostic.

At this moment i'm quite satisfied at not having updates enabled, and i can live without SP1. True some of the new programs and games aren't available, but there's decades of programs and games to enjoy.

However you can still run newer programs even if they require the VS2015 components, you just have to extract them and manually copy the dll's. I don't know if that is a proper or official way to do it, but i got a few programs to work that way...

Windows 7 with SP1 here. Not using automatic updates, but installing them manually, if necessary. I put on hidden all the unwanted updates, which means they won't install, ever. If you know exactly what updates to avoid, you are fine. See the list posted by Gnostic and just go for SP1. Do not allow automatic updates (you are asked for activating them during installation, say no to that and choose manual)

Considering what a dickweed Microsoft has been so far with this whole Windows 10 upgrade mess, I wouldn't be surprised if as a parting gift they release some Windows 7 (and 8.1) update that seriously cripples those OSes. Kind of a revenge for not complying to their urges to move to Windows 10.

Hopefully everything will go smoothly and Microsoft isn't an asshole about it. I have already upgraded this PC to Windows 10 so that I should be eligible to clean-install Windows 10 on this later on, if I so wish. Probably I will not, Windows 10 will be preloaded in my future PCs anyway so I'll get to it at that point.

As Gnostic said, there's nothing to fear from SP1. It doesn't include Windows 10 naughty bits at all (SP1 was published in 2011 - before Windows 8 even existed, let alone Windows 10). If you have Windows Update disabled you don't even need to enable it. Just download the standalone update from

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5842

Press the "Download" button and select the appropriate file (windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe if you want to update 64-bit Windows 7, for example).