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Internal and External Version Numbers

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The driver's resource file specifies the driver-file version in two ways:

  • As an internal or binary version number that is specified in the double-DWORD value FILEVERSION. The operating system currently does not use this value.

  • As an external or display version number that is specified in the FileVersion character string. The operating system displays this string when the user views the properties of individual driver files.

Under the Windows XP user interface, for example, there are several alternative ways to view a driver file's FileVersion string:

  • In Windows Explorer:

    1. Right-click the file icon.
    2. Select the Properties of the driver file.
    3. On the Version tab, view the File version number.

  • In Device Manager:

    1. Select the Properties of a particular audio device.
    2. On the Driver tab click Driver Details.
    3. Select the driver file from the list of files in the driver package.
    4. view the File version number of the selected driver file.

  • In Control Panel:

    1. Click the Sounds and Audio Devices icon.
    2. On the Hardware tab select the device, click the Properties button.
    3. On the Driver tab select Driver Details, select the driver file from the list of files in the driver package, and view the File version number of the selected driver file.

To make your driver version numbers compatible with both Windows and DirectX, follow these rules when you specify the internal and external version numbers:

  • The internal version number has the format x.xx.00.xxxx. The two extra zeros before the last dot are required.

  • The external version string should use the format x.xx.xxxx (without the two extra zeros in the internal version number).

These internal and external version numbers should match (except for the two extra zeros, as noted above).