Upgrade Instructions for Organizations Using Windows XP

M-Files Desktop is not compatible with Windows XP computers from the M-Files version 10.0 onwards. Organizations with both Windows XP and newer Windows client computers (Vista/7/8/8.1) are suggested to leave the 9.0 Client version on XP computers and upgrade Windows Vista/7/8/8.1 clients to the newest version.

The only compatibility issue in the mixed environment with M-Files 9.0 and newer clients is that inserted properties added with the newer client versions to MS Office and AutoCAD files cannot be resolved on M-Files Client 9.0. This compatibility issue may cause issues with metadata structure replication as well.

When using the Insert Property feature with M-Files Client 10.x, M-Files Desktop 2015, and newer client versions, the reference to the property value is made by using the property GUID. In M-Files 9.0, the references are made by using the property ID.

To resolve the issue on these mixed environments, the newer client versions can be enforced to make references to property definitions using the property ID. This configuration can be done by adding the following registry settings on each client computer with M-Files 10.x or later installed:

Force the compatibility setting to all vaults (MS Office)
Key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Motive\M-Files\<version>\Client\MFOfficeAddin
Name UseIDBasedPropertyReferences
Type DWORD
Value 1 (default = 0)
Force the compatibility setting to all vaults (AutoCAD)
Key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Motive\M-Files\<version>\Client\MFAutoCADAddin
Name UseIDBasedPropertyReferences
Type DWORD
Value 1 (default = 0)
Force the compatibility setting to a specific vault (MS Office)
Key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Motive\M-Files\<version>\Client\MFOfficeAddin\Vaults\<vault GUID>
Name UseIDBasedPropertyReferences
Type DWORD
Value 1 (default = 0)
Force the compatibility setting to a specific vault (AutoCAD)
Key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Motive\M-Files\<version>\Client\MFAutoCADAddin\Vaults\<vault GUID>
Name UseIDBasedPropertyReferences
Type DWORD
Value 1 (default = 0)
Note: Vault-specific settings have precedence over the client-specific settings.

Installation sequence

  1. Deploy the registry settings described above on all the Windows Vista/7/8 client computers.
  2. Upgrade M-Files Client/Desktop on Windows Vista/7/8 workstations to the newest version.
  3. Upgrade M-Files Server to its newest version.