Using the Sdbinst.exe Command-Line Tool

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Vista

You must deploy your customized database (.sdb) files to other computers in your organization before your compatibility fixes, compatibility modes, and AppHelp messages are applied. You can deploy your customized database files in several ways, including by using a logon script, by using Group Policy, or by performing file copy operations.

After you deploy and store the customized databases on each of your local computers, you must register the database files. Until you register the database files, the operating system will be unable to identify the available compatibility fixes when starting an application.

Note

For an example of how to use the sdbinst.exe command-line option, see the walkthroughs provided in the Testing and Mitigating Issues by Using the Development Tools topic.

Command-Line Options for Deploying Customized Database Files

The command-line options use the following conventions.

Sdbinst.exe [-q] [-ufilepath] [-gGUID] [-n*"name"*] [-?]

The following table describes the available command-line options.

Option Description

-q

Performs a silent installation with no visible window, status, or warning information. Fatal errors appear only in the NT Event Log.

For example,

sdbinst.exe -q

-ufilepath

Performs an uninstallation of the specified database.

For example,

sdbinst.exe -u C:\example.sdb

-gGUID

Specifies the customized database to uninstall by a globally unique identifier (GUID).

For example,

sdbinst.exe -g 6586cd8f-edc9-4ea8-ad94-afabea7f62e3

-n"name"

Specifies the customized database to uninstall by file name.

For example,

sdbinst.exe -n "My_Database"

-?

Displays the Help for the Sdbinst.exe tool.

For example,

sdbinst.exe -?

See Also

Concepts

Compatibility Administrator Tool
Known Compatibility Fixes, Compatibility Modes, and AppHelp Messages