[Python-Dev] No manifest files on Windows?

[Mark Hammond]

> In http://bugs.python.org/issue4120, the author suggests that it might
> be possible to completely stop using the manifest mechanism, for VS
> 2008. Given the many problems that this SxS stuff has caused, this
> sounds like a very desirable route, although I haven't done any actual
> testing yet.
> 
> Can all the Windows experts please comment? Could that work? Does it
> have any downsides?
> 
> If it works, I would like to apply it to 3.0, although I probably
> won't be able to apply it to tomorrow's rc. Would it also be possible
> to change that in 2.6.1 (even though python26.dll in 2.6.0 already
> includes a manifest, as do all the pyd files)?

My take is that the bug is suggesting the manifest be dropped only from .pyd
files.  Python's executable and DLL will still have the manifest reference,
so the CRT is still loaded from a manifest (FWIW, the CRT will abort() if
initialized other than via a manifest!).

I don't see a downside and can see how it would help with private
assemblies.

[I've also added a comment to this effect to the bug]

Mark.