Windows 8 build 7989

6.2.7989.0.winmain.110421-1825
	Build of Windows 8
OS family
Architecture	x64, x86
Compiled	2011-04-21
Timebomb	2012-03-15 (+329 days)
Works in
About

Windows 8 build 7989 is a Milestone 3 build of Windows 8, which was originally released on 18 June 2011 in the x64 architecture, then on 8 February 2020, an x86 checked/debug version of it was uploaded to BetaArchive. The unmodified version of the AMD64 architecture's ISO image was later found on 18 June 2022.

Unlike the earlier compile of build 7985, the "Welcome" text on the boot screen is still as small as in the fbl_core1_kernel_npc compile of build 7973.

Editions and keys[edit | edit source]

Edition / SKU	Key
Starter	7Q28W-FT9PC-CMMYT-WHMY2-89M6G
Home Basic	YGFVB-QTFXQ-3H233-PTWTJ-YRYRV
Home Premium	RHPQ2-RMFJH-74XYM-BH4JX-XM76F
Professional	HYF8J-CVRMY-CM74G-RPHKF-PW487
Ultimate	D4F6K-QK3RD-TMVMJ-BBMRX-3MBMV

Redpill[edit | edit source]

When the "Share" button from the charms bar is clicked, a cat image called shrscr.png is created in the %temp% folder, with text saying "U can haz no pix. GIMME FISH" along with a bug ID at the bottom. The text is most likely a reference to the strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that existed during Windows 8's development, implying that no images of the operating system can be shared.

Bugs[edit | edit source]

Compatibility[edit | edit source]

To install or run this build in VMware Workstation, you must set the hardware compatibility to version 8.x or below; otherwise, a bugcheck will occur.

EFI support[edit | edit source]

The originally leaked x64 version of this build from 2011 does not support EFI hardware as it was bundled with a boot.wim image from the x86 version of the Windows 7 RTM build. To resolve this, either copy install.wim into an x64 installation disc of build 7600 or 7601, or deploy the image through DISM. Note that this fix might not work for some UEFI configurations.

Start screen[edit | edit source]

When enabling Redpill, the start screen may appear to be empty.
Like build 7985, an option to "uninstall" the desktop from the Start screen is present but does not function.

Aero Glass in Starter and Home Basic[edit | edit source]

This build automatically enables Aero Glass transparency even when installing the Starter or Home Basic SKUs, which is not supported by default. However, changing the color scheme (visual style) to another one and then back to the default one will disable Aero Glass.

Redpill[edit | edit source]

The original x64 leak from 2011 has a malformed twinui.dll binary that is installed by default, which will result in the user interface failing to initialize properly if redpilled. To fix this, run the following command under a command prompt and reboot before running Redlock:

sfc /SCANFILE=C:\Windows\System32\TWINUI.DLL

Bug when disabling DWM[edit | edit source]

If you had an application and Metro search bar (or anything other than it) before disabling DWM, you may see the application as a black background and the search bar may appear again. To fix this, enable DWM again and restart to see it working with DWM disabled.