KernelXE Development Information and Progress

[Ximonite]

This post contains information and progress on the development of KernelXE v0.3, also known as the KernelXE Refresh.
The first Technical Preview of KernelXE v0.3 will be released when all important additions are completed.
Note: None of these new additions have been tested yet. Details about stability will be posted when testing is possible.

Files available for testing! Read below

Current Status (May 2022)
I recently discovered many official updates for Windows 2000, and the files from these updates have not been previously used in any extended kernel projects. I will continue development with my current files and release them when I'm finished, but all extensions will be transferred to these newer official files for the final release of the KernelXE Refresh.

To be able to release development versions of KernelXE v0.3 sooner, ntoskrnl development will be restarted and based on the latest version from Microsoft. Many features will be missing from ntoskrnl when I release the first technical preview, but all existing and planned functionality will become present in the future.
Boot skin support will not be added to KernelXE v0.3 unless people request it to be added. [Vote here]

Files available for testing
Please read the information below before testing these files:
I have not tested these files myself and there is no guarantee that these files work.
The ideal testing environment is a fully updated Windows 2000 system with WildBill's extended kernel. I would recommend using the WildBill update collection to ensure all files on your system are the expected versions. Download the WildBill Update Collection.
These files are provided as-is and there is no installer. Before replacing system files, check them with Dependency Walker and make sure all functions imported are present. If you find missing functions, document them.
I would like people to document any changes in the behavior of the OS from these files and preferably, specify the file that appears to be linked to behavior changes.
Testing is not required if you do not want to test these files for any reason, but if you decide to test these files, please make sure to contribute useful information (especially if you're testing the HAL).
Test files can be downloaded here: https://www.mediafire.com/file/5386vkwojhjslou/KernelXE-0.3-dev-filebatch01.zip/file

KernelXE 0.3 Technical Preview 1 Development:

Major internal OS features:
Keyed Events - 100%
Activation Context - 100%
Headless Functionality - 90%
Thread Pools - 10%
Library Loading Enhancements:
LoadLibraryEx Upgrade - 100%
LdrLoadDll TLS Support - 75%
Additional Ldr Functions - 0%
Other additions:
Modern Locale Support - 35%
Skylake timing issue mitigation - 100%

Files from other sources that weren't modified by me in any significant way will be credited here. All credits will be present on my website following the release of Technical Preview 1.
File List:
advapi32.dll - [Unknown]
atapi.sys - BlackWingCat
atmfd.dll - Provided and maintained by Adobe/Microsoft
atmlib.dll - Provided and maintained by Adobe/Microsoft
bcrypt.dll - ReactOS
cmd.exe - BlackWingCat (XP icon replaced with classic style icon)
comctl32.dll - Probably done (need to double check everything)
comdlg32.dll - Done
dbgeng.dll - From Windows 8.0 RTM
dbghelp.dll - From Windows 8.0 RTM
dnsapi.dll - Done
dssenh.dll - Microsoft (From a Windows XP update)
dwmapi.dll - BlackWingCat
explorer.exe - WildBill (many resources updated by me)
halmacpi.dll - Done
hidclass.sys - idk where it came from
iphlpapi.dll - Very messy code, might work
kernel32.dll - Needs a bit of work but almost done
locale.nls - BlackWingCat
lsasrv.dll - Done
mbedtls.dll - ReactOS
mfc40/42(u).dll - Microsoft
msftedit.dll - Microsoft
msvbvm60.dll - Microsoft
msvcirt.dll - From Windows Vista RTM
msvcrt.dll - From a Windows Vista Update
msxml3.dll - Microsoft
msxml6.dll - Microsoft
netapi32.dll - Done
mormidna.nls - Microsoft
normnfc.nls - Microsoft
normnfd.nls - Microsoft
normnkfc.nls - Microsoft
normnkfd.nls - Microsoft
ntdetect.com - XP version with modifications (not done by me)
ntldr - XP version
ntoskrnl.exe - [Unknown]
ole32.dll - Done
photometadatahandler.dll - From Windows Vista
propsys.dll - Microsoft
rsaenh.dll - Microsoft
schannel.dll - Microsoft
SERVICES - MDGx
setupapi.dll - [Unknown]
sfc.dll - Unknown source
srv.sys - BlackWingCat
taskmgr.exe - Longhorn Build 5259 (resources merged into exe by piotrhn)
tcpip.sys - Done
update.sys - BlackWingCat
usp10.dll - Microsoft
vgx.dll - Microsoft
videoprt.sys - BlackWingCat
ws2_32.dll - One complex function to finish, then will be done

Items in this list may not be added to KernelXE. Either older versions may be used or these may not work at all.
Unconfirmed additions:
Updated WIC from Vista
KMDF 1.11
Web Services Runtime

For later Technical Previews:
USB stack upgrade (Will be available with Technical Preview 1’s release but will be separate to verify stability)
Address Waiting Functions
IP Helper API Upgrade
WinUSB
UMDF

For Release:
Kernel-mode WMI Functions (maybe)
Enhanced Task Manager
More 32-bit color icons
machine.inf upgrade

Addons:
SxS:
Contains sxs.dll and WildBill’s rewritten basesrv and csrsrv.
If this is proven to be stable, it may be added to the main KernelXE installer.
DirectX:
Wine Direct3D 11
Wine Direct2D 1.0

Security Rollup:
I am creating a security rollup for Windows 2000 that will include all known security updates from the 2010s. This will include both official and unofficial updates and patches. Some files may have a few additional functions, but do not expect any changes in program compatibility. These are either very minimal changes or tied to security patches.
This will be split into 4 parts, Main, IE6, MDAC, and DirectX. I want to merge these all into a single update, but I currently don't know if this is possible.
Expected release: Before June 2022
Requirements for parts:
Main - Windows 2000 SP4 updated to 2010 patch level
IE6 - Internet Explorer 6 SP1
MDAC - MDAC 2.8 SP1
DirectX - DirectX 9.0c February 2010 Runtime

Future plans (after KernelXE Refresh):
NDIS 5.1
Windows 7 storport
NMVe support

[WIN2000WARRIOR]

Hello, what are the latest developments regarding the KernelXE project ?
Don't forget to add UMDF please, I need it so much.

[Mox AX,BX]

Hi, do you have a package of KernelXE v0.3 at this time ?

[Sven Svensson]

It's not complete yet

[Ximonite]

Hi, do you have a package of KernelXE v0.3 at this time ?

I don't currently, as there is still a lot of work to be done in ntoskrnl, but I am very willing to give you access to development versions when I can.

Hello, what are the latest developments regarding the KernelXE project ?
Don't forget to add UMDF please, I need it so much.

Right now, it's still unfinished and not at a stage where the files are ready to be tested.
I'm very aware of UMDF at this point and I'm very confident that it will make it into the final release.

[WIN2000WARRIOR]

Hello, what are the latest developments regarding the KernelXE project ?
Don't forget to add UMDF please, I need it so much.

Right now, it's still unfinished and not at a stage where the files are ready to be tested.
I'm very aware of UMDF at this point and I'm very confident that it will make it into the final release.


Thank you Ximonite we fully trust you. We look forward to your publications. And if you complete to add the special functions of umdf in the future, such as:
setupapi.SetupDiGetActualSectionToInstallExW
ntoskrnl.RtlVerifyVersionInfo
ntoskrnl.VerSetConditionMask
Tell us please.
BWC successfully installed kmdf 1.9, in late 2021, you may need it to run WinUSB : http://blog.livedoor.jp/blackwingcat/archives/2015943.html
Thank you.

[infuscomus]

@ximonite

There's an ntoskrnl extender for XP too, I can confirm that ACPI/AHCI/USB3/NVMe all now work correctly in XP because of it.

Can I help you out with coding this?

[WIN2000WARRIOR]

@ximonite

There's an ntoskrnl extender for XP too, I can confirm that ACPI/AHCI/USB3/NVMe all now work correctly in XP because of it.

Can I help you out with coding this?

If you intend to cooperate with Ximonite. Add more explanations about your project and what you can do for ntoskrnl for Windows 2000. He may also need your mail to deal in private.
I hope that you cooperate so that we do not have two options regarding your versions and the version of ximonite.

[Ximonite]

@ximonite

There's an ntoskrnl extender for XP too, I can confirm that ACPI/AHCI/USB3/NVMe all now work correctly in XP because of it.

Can I help you out with coding this?

I’m aware of the ntoskrnl extension for XP and have used code from it already. For these drivers to work, WMI functions will need to also be ported to Windows 2000’s ntoskrnl. If you are capable of porting those functions, that would be very helpful for me.
Here’s a list of the exported functions:
WmiFlushTrace
WmiQueryTrace
WmiQueryTraceInformation
WmiStartTrace
WmiStopTrace
WmiTraceMessage
WmiTraceMessageVa
WmiUpdateTrace

If you intend to cooperate with Ximonite. Add more explanations about your project and what you can do for ntoskrnl for Windows 2000. He may also need your mail to deal in private.
I hope that you cooperate so that we do not have two options regarding your versions and the version of ximonite.

I’m happy to let people help out. I just want to keep things organized, since organization has historically been flawed with kernel extensions for Windows 2000.
If you want to contact me, my Discord identity is easy to guess and I’m willing to organize plans with people to split the workload of a project like this.

[infuscomus]

Alright, I'll take a look at these WMI functions and see what I can do.