This topic describes hotfixes and the files types that are used to distribute the hotfixes.

Overview of Hotfixes

Hotfixes are the code resolution to address selected bugs that impact key features or a significant portion of the install-base. A hotfix can address either a single issue or a cumulative set of issues impacting the Microsoft Dynamics AX application.

Microsoft publishes a corresponding knowledge base (KB) article for every hotfix released in all Microsoft products, including Microsoft Dynamics AX. These KB articles cover the changes to the objects, database tables, or files or other code that are affected by the hotfix. Each hotfix is released to address a specific issue or scenario in order to restore the normal operation of the software. You must review the corresponding KB article to evaluate if you should apply the hotfix to your Microsoft Dynamics AX application.

File types of hotfixes released for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009

The following file types will be used to deliver hotfixes for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009:

  • Zip files: Zip packages contain one or more files that can be manually or automatically installed on the system (depending on the file type and the installation instructions provided with the fix in the KB article.)

  • EXE files: Traditional binary hotfixes are generally released with an installer that will automatically replace the affected files on the systems being hotfixed.

  • CAB files: Cabinet files that contain packaged XPO and XML configuration files for deploying Microsoft signed and released hotfixes to the Microsoft owned application layers through the AOT. An XPO file is a specific fix to the X++ files or code for the application of the Microsoft Dynamics AX installation. For more information on layers, see Development environment.

File types of hotfixes released for previous releases of Microsoft Dynamics AX

The following file types will be used to deliver hotfixes for Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 or Microsoft Dynamics AX 3.0 (formerly known as Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta 3.0):

  • Zip files (as described above).

  • EXE files (as described above).

  • XPO files: An XPO file is specific fix to the X++ files or code for an Microsoft Dynamics AX installation.

  • AOD files: An AOD file is an application-specific layer file unique to Microsoft Dynamics AX. These releases contain multiple fixes and are cumulative releases of application-specific fixes that have been assembled and tested together as a unit. Axdis.aod is the AOD for the DIS layer. For more information on layers, see Development environment.

  • DLL files: Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0 introduced DLL files with managed code for the implementation of Enterprise Portal features.