The GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime function is not supported on Windows 7. It was introduced with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 to provide high-precision system time (<1us).
The frequent appearance of this function in "Windows 7 update" discussions usually refers to application crashes rather than a system update you need to install. Why You See This Error on Windows 7
Users on Windows 7 often encounter the error message: “The procedure entry point GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime could not be located in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll”. This happens because:
Modern Toolchains: Developers using the latest versions of Visual Studio (v145 toolset) or Qt have dropped Windows 7 support.
Automatic Dependencies: Even if a programmer doesn't use the function, modern compilers may automatically insert calls to it for standard library features like std::chrono, making the resulting program incompatible with Windows 7.
Third-Party Libraries: Popular libraries like SDL or libuv began using this API for better timing, inadvertently breaking compatibility with older OS versions. Can You "Update" Windows 7 to Support It?
No official Microsoft update exists to add this function to Windows 7. Because the function is tied to core kernel changes in how time is handled, it cannot be simply patched in via a Knowledge Base (KB) update. Common Solutions and Workarounds
If you are trying to run a program that triggers this error on Windows 7, consider these options: For Users:
Downgrade the Software: Look for an older version of the application released before 2020–2021, when Windows 7 support was still common (e.g., Aseprite v1.3.9.2 or Strawberry 0.9.3).
Nightly/Beta Branches: Some developers provide "legacy" or nightly builds that specifically avoid this API to maintain Windows 7 compatibility. For Developers: getsystemtimepreciseasfiletime windows 7 upd
Use a Fallback: Implement a check to use GetSystemTimeAsFileTime (the standard version) if the OS is older than Windows 8.
Target Older Toolsets: Use older compiler toolsets (like v143 in Visual Studio) that do not have a hard dependency on this newer API.
Dynamic Loading: Use GetProcAddress to check for the function at runtime rather than linking to it statically.
Are you trying to run a specific program that’s giving you this error, or are you developing an app and looking for a way to support Windows 7? GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime error on Windows 7 #101
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. Performance and Accuracy Expectations on Windows 7 Even
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.
Even with GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime, precision depends on hardware and system configuration:
| Environment | Typical Precision | |-------------|-------------------| | Default Windows 7 (no update) | ~10–16 ms | | Windows 7 + KB2670838 | ~0.5 – 1 μs (microsecond) | | Windows 10/11 | ~0.1 – 1 μs | Verifying the Update You can check if the
The back-ported version relies on the same KeQueryPerformanceCounter internal mechanism but wrapped in FILETIME format. In practice, you can expect sub-microsecond precision on most modern hardware running the update.
You can check if the update is installed via:
Command line (admin):
wmic qfe list hotfixid | find "KB2813345"
Registry key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Hotfix\KB2813345
Programmatic check (C++):
typedef void (WINAPI *pGetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime)(LPFILETIME);
HMODULE hKernel = GetModuleHandleA("kernel32.dll");
pGetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime func = (pGetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime)GetProcAddress(hKernel, "GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime");
if (func)
// Available on this Windows 7 system
When GetSystemTimePreciseAsFileTime was introduced with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, developers targeting Windows 7 were stuck. Attempting to call this function on an unpatched Windows 7 kernel32.dll would result in a runtime error or, worse, a missing entry point.
For years, workarounds involved:
QueryPerformanceCounter and converting to FILETIME (complex and drift-prone).GetSystemTimeAdjustment with GetSystemTimeAsFileTime (still not truly precise).This situation changed with the release of a specific Platform Update for Windows 7.