#include <windows.h>
typedef VOID (WINAPI *GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime_t)(LPFILETIME);
void GetPreciseOrFallbackFileTime(FILETIME* ft)
HMODULE hKernel = GetModuleHandleA("kernel32.dll");
if (hKernel)
GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime_t pGetPrecise =
(GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime_t)GetProcAddress(hKernel, "GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime");
if (pGetPrecise)
pGetPrecise(ft);
return;
GetSystemTimeAsFileTime(ft); // fallback for Windows 7 / older
Notes:
The function GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime is not available on Windows 7; it was first introduced in Windows 8. Because Windows 7 has reached its official end of life, Microsoft has not released an update to backport this specific function. Understanding the Compatibility Gap
Applications built with modern development tools (such as Visual Studio’s v145 toolset) often include references to GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime by default. When these programs run on Windows 7, they fail to launch with the error: "The procedure entry point GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll".
Functionality: It provides high-precision UTC time with a resolution of less than 1 microsecond. Limitation: It is strictly a Windows 8+ feature.
The Cause: Developers using newer libraries (like Qt 6 or recent Python/Rust versions) encounter this because those toolkits have dropped Windows 7 support to utilize newer system APIs. Proposed Solutions and Workarounds
Since there is no official update, users and developers must use one of the following strategies to maintain compatibility: 1. Implementation of Fallback (For Developers)
The standard way to handle this in code is to dynamically check for the function's existence at runtime. If it is missing, the application should fall back to the older GetSystemTimeAsFileTime function. GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime error on Windows 7 #101
The error message "The procedure entry point GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll" occurs because the function GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime
is not natively available in Windows 7. It was introduced in Windows 8 to provide higher precision time stamps ( The Julia Programming Language Root Cause Analysis Version Incompatibility
: The application you are trying to run (e.g., Strawberry Music Player, PostgreSQL, or modern games) was compiled to use an API that only exists in Windows 8, 10, or 11. Kernel32.dll Limitations : In Windows 7, the KERNEL32.dll library only contains GetSystemTimeAsFileTime
, which lacks the "Precise" high-resolution capabilities required by newer software. Solutions and Workarounds
sh.exe Entry Point Not Found on push or sometimes when idle #2449 7 Mar 2025 —
The Windows API function GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime is only available on Windows 8 and later
. There is no official Microsoft update to add this function to Windows 7, as the operating system has reached its end of life
If you are encountering an "entry point not found" error for this function on Windows 7, it is because a program or library you are using was built with a newer toolset (like MSVC v145) that assumes a Windows 8 baseline. Visual Studio Developer Community Solutions for Developers
If you are writing code that needs to run on Windows 7, you cannot use this function directly. Instead, consider these alternatives:
The error "The procedure entry point GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll" occurs because your software is trying to use a high-resolution time function that only exists in Windows 8 and newer.
Windows 7 does not natively support this specific API, and there is no official "patch" from Microsoft to add it. Common Causes for Users
Newer App Versions: Developers often update their tools (like Visual Studio) to use modern APIs, which can accidentally break compatibility with Windows 7.
Third-Party Libraries: Many modern applications use libraries like libuv or SDL that recently added calls to this function, causing crashes on older systems.
Qt6/Qt5 Toolchains: Programs built with Qt6 are particularly prone to this issue on Windows 7. How to Resolve the Issue 1. Use "VxKex" (Recommended for Power Users)
VxKex is a popular third-party tool designed to extend the Windows 7 kernel. It acts as a wrapper that "fakes" the presence of newer APIs like GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime, allowing modern programs to run without modification. getsystemtimepreciseasfiletime windows 7 upd
How to use: Install VxKex, right-click the application's executable, and enable "VxKex" in the compatibility settings. 2. Downgrade the Application 14.6 doesn't support Win 7? - FreeFileSync Forum
The function GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime is not available on Windows 7; it was first introduced in Windows 8. If you are seeing an "Entry Point Not Found" error, it is because the software you are running was compiled to require this newer API.
To resolve this, you can use a fallback strategy in your code or try a system-level workaround for existing software. C++ Fallback Implementation
If you are developing software that needs to run on both Windows 7 and newer versions, use GetProcAddress to check for the function at runtime. If it's missing, fall back to GetSystemTimeAsFileTime, which is supported on Windows 7.
typedef VOID (WINAPI *PGSTPAF)(LPFILETIME); void MyGetSystemTime(LPFILETIME lpTime) static PGSTPAF pGetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime = (PGSTPAF)GetProcAddress( GetModuleHandleW(L"kernel32.dll"), "GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime"); if (pGetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime) // Use high-precision if available (Win 8+) pGetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime(lpTime); else // Fallback for Windows 7 GetSystemTimeAsFileTime(lpTime); Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Fixing Existing Software Errors
If you are an end-user receiving this error when opening an app, try these solutions:
Install Windows Updates: Ensure you have KB2533623 installed. While it doesn't add the function, it fixes many related "Entry Point Not Found" issues in KERNEL32.dll.
Update Visual C++ Redistributable: Download the latest Visual C++ Redistributable from Microsoft Support.
Downgrade the App: If the developer recently updated their compiler (e.g., to MSVC v145), they may have dropped Windows 7 support. Look for a version of the software released before the update.
VxKex (Advanced): Some users utilize VxKex, an "extensions" project for Windows 7 that attempts to bridge missing Windows 8/10 APIs, though this is for advanced users and carries stability risks.
Are you trying to fix a specific application that won't start, or are you looking to implement this in your own code?
How to fix Entry Point not found error KERNEL32.dll Windows 7
function, specifically regarding its availability and the updates related to Windows 7. GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime Introduced with Windows Server 2012
, this function is designed to provide the highest possible level of precision (less than 1 microsecond) for the current system date and time. Before this, developers typically used GetSystemTimeAsFileTime
, which is much faster but has a resolution limited by the system timer tick (usually 1ms to 15.6ms). For applications requiring sub-millisecond accuracy—like high-frequency trading or scientific logging—the "Precise" version became the gold standard. The Windows 7 Dilemma: Is there an Update? The short answer is
. There is no official Windows Update (KB) that "backports" or adds the GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime API to Windows 7. OS Requirement:
The function remains exclusive to Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012 and later. Why it's missing:
The function relies on underlying changes to how the Windows kernel interacts with hardware timers (like the HPET or TSC). These architectural changes were never rolled back into the Windows 7 kernel. How to Handle Windows 7 (The Workarounds)
If you are writing software that must run on both Windows 10/11 and Windows 7, you cannot call this function directly, or your program will fail to start on Windows 7 with an "Entry Point Not Found" error in Kernel32.dll 1. Dynamic Linking (The Safe Way) Instead of linking to the function at compile-time, use GetProcAddress to see if the function exists at runtime. VOID (WINAPI *PGETSYSTEMTIMEPRECISE)(LPFILETIME); GetBestTimestamp(LPFILETIME ft)
PGETSYSTEMTIMEPRECISE pGetSystemTimePrecise = (PGETSYSTEMTIMEPRECISE)GetProcAddress(GetModuleHandle(TEXT( "kernel32.dll" "GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime" (pGetSystemTimePrecise) // Use the high-precision version on Win 8/10/11 pGetSystemTimePrecise(ft); // Fallback for Windows 7 GetSystemTimeAsFileTime(ft); } Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 2. The Manual "Precise" Implementation If you absolutely
sub-millisecond precision on Windows 7, you have to "roll your own" by combining two different timers: GetSystemTimeAsFileTime : Provides the absolute "wall clock" time (UTC). QueryPerformanceCounter : Provides a high-resolution relative offset. #include <windows
By periodically recalibrating the QPC against the system time, you can interpolate a high-precision timestamp. However, this is complex because QPC can "drift" or jump due to power management (CPU frequency scaling) or sleep modes. Summary for Developers GetSystemTimeAsFileTime GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime Windows 7 Support Yes (Native) ~15.6ms (Low) <1μs (High) Performance Extremely Fast Slightly Slower Best Use Case General logging Benchmarking, synchronization Recommendation: If your project targets Windows 7, use dynamic loading to detect the function. If it's missing, fall back to GetSystemTimeAsFileTime
unless your application's core logic depends on microsecond accuracy, in which case you will need a custom QPC-based synchronization loop. of the QPC fallback, or is this for a compatibility report you are drafting?
You're looking for information on GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime on Windows 7.
Unfortunately, GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime is a function that was introduced in Windows 8, not Windows 7. However, I can provide you with some useful information on the topic.
What is GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime?
GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime is a Windows API function that retrieves the current system time with high precision. It returns the current system time in the form of a FILETIME structure, which represents the number of 100-nanosecond intervals that have elapsed since January 1, 1601.
Why is GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime not available on Windows 7?
Windows 7 does not support GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime because it was introduced in Windows 8 as part of a larger effort to improve timing and synchronization on the Windows platform. Windows 7 is an earlier version of Windows that does not have this function.
Alternatives on Windows 7
If you need to retrieve the system time with high precision on Windows 7, you can use the GetSystemTime function, which is available on Windows 7. However, GetSystemTime has lower precision than GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime, with a resolution of around 10-20 milliseconds.
Here's an example of how to use GetSystemTime on Windows 7:
#include <Windows.h>
int main()
SYSTEMTIME st;
GetSystemTime(&st);
// Use the SYSTEMTIME structure
return 0;
Upgrading to Windows 8 or later
If you need the high precision provided by GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime, you may want to consider upgrading to Windows 8 or a later version of Windows.
Useful article
Here's a useful article on the topic:
This article discusses the high-precision timing capabilities introduced in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, including the GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime function.
The function GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime is a high-precision timing API that is not natively supported on Windows 7
. It was introduced with Windows 8 to provide UTC-synchronized timestamps with a resolution of less than 1 microsecond.
The following review outlines the impact of this API on Windows 7 systems and available workarounds for users facing "Entry Point Not Found" errors. The Conflict: Windows 7 vs. Modern Runtimes
Many users encounter errors (e.g., "The procedure entry point GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime could not be located in KERNEL32.dll") because modern development tools and runtimes have dropped legacy support. Compiler Shifts : Recent versions of the Microsoft Visual C++ (MSVC) Platform Toolset
(like v145) now generate binaries that depend on this API by default, causing immediate load-time failures on Windows 7. Library Dependencies : Major frameworks and libraries, including (starting with certain versions), Upgrading to Windows 8 or later If you
, have integrated this function for its superior precision, effectively ending their compatibility with Windows 7. The Julia Programming Language Technical Workarounds & "Fixes"
Since there is no official Microsoft update (KB) that adds this function to the Windows 7 kernel, users and developers must use one of these alternative approaches: Windows 7 support - General Usage - Julia Discourse
The direct answer is that the GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime error occurs because this API was introduced in Windows 8 and does not exist in the Windows 7 version of KERNEL32.dll. When modern software or runtime toolchains (such as the latest MSVC Platform Toolsets, Rust, or newer Qt frameworks) are updated, they drop Windows 7 compatibility and invoke this function, causing applications to crash instantly with an "entry point not found" error.
🛠️ Why the "GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime" Error Occurs
The core of the issue is an operating system version mismatch:
High-Precision Time API: The GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime function provides highest-possible precision (less than 1 microsecond) for system time. Microsoft introduced it in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
No Native Windows 7 Export: On Windows 7, the core system library KERNEL32.dll only contains the older GetSystemTimeAsFileTime function. It completely lacks the higher-precision variant.
Modern Toolchain Updates: If you install an update for an application or a game, and the developer has compiled that update using a newer compiler (like MSVC v145 or Rust 1.78+), the binary will automatically link to the newer API. This makes the software unusable on Windows 7. ⚙️ Best Workarounds and Fixes for Windows 7 Users
Since Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 7, there is no official OS update that will add GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime to the legacy KERNEL32.dll. However, there are several reliable workarounds available: 1. Downgrade to an Older Software Version
The most reliable way to run the software without modifying your system files is to install the previous release that still maintains Windows 7 compatibility.
Identify the Breaking Update: Check the software's release notes or GitHub repository.
Download the Legacy Version: Download a version compiled prior to the toolchain update (for instance, older versions of tools built using Qt 5 or older MSVC toolsets). 2. Use VxKex (Extended Kernel for Windows 7)
For advanced users who absolutely need to run modern applications on Windows 7, a third-party compatibility layer is an effective solution. GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime error on Windows 7 #101
Here’s a solid, informative post you can use on a blog, forum, or social media (e.g., LinkedIn or Reddit) regarding GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime and its availability on Windows 7 after updates.
| Windows Version | GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime available? |
|----------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Windows 7 RTM | ❌ No |
| Windows 7 SP1 (no updates) | ❌ No |
| Windows 7 SP1 + KB3033929 | ✅ Yes |
| Windows 7 SP1 + Convenience Rollup KB3125574 | ✅ Yes |
| Windows 8 and later | ✅ Yes (natively) |
Increase system timer resolution:
timeBeginPeriod(1); // Set to 1 ms
GetSystemTimeAsFileTime(&ft);
timeEndPeriod(1);
But this only improves to ~1 ms, not microseconds.
After installing this update:
If you cannot install KB2813345, what are your options?
Update: KB3033929 (or the later rollup KB3125574)
Microsoft backported GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime to Windows 7 via Security Update KB3033929 (released March 2015). This update was primarily released to address SHA-2 code signing support, but it also added several new APIs to the platform, including our high-precision time function.