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Application Verifier

Application Verifier is a runtime verification tool for unmanaged code.

Purpose

Application Verifier assists developers in quickly finding subtle programming errors that can be extremely difficult to identify with normal application testing. Using Application Verifier in Visual Studio makes it easier to create reliable applications by identifying errors caused by heap corruption, incorrect handle and critical section usage.

Where Applicable

Application Verifier can be used with any project in the C++ language during runtime only.

User Requirements

You must be an administrator on the system that you are using in order to run Application Verifier. Otherwise, you will receive the following error:

Access Denied. You need administrative credentials to enable instrumentation settings on the selected executable image <appname.exe> on machine <machine_name>. Contact your system administrator for assistance.

System Requirements

Application Verifier runs on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. As a result if you are running Windows 2000, you will receive the following error:

Application Verifier is not supported on the Operating System running on your machine <machine_name>. Please upgrade to Windows XP or above.

An installation of a Windows OS update may be required depending on the service pack installed on your machine. If your machine does not have the updated file, you will receive the following dialog when you access Start with Application Verifier from the Debug menu:

Application Verifier requires an updated system file that is not detected on your machine <machine name>. “Do you want to go to Windows download center to get the update?”

OK | Cancel

Selecting ‘OK' will open an internet browser pointing to the update on the Windows download center and continue the execution of the program in a normal debug session (i.e. Application Verifier will not be enabled). Installing the required update will enable Application Verifier when you try accessing it again. You may also get the update from the Microsoft download center using the following link:

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=49500