cpp-windows-review

To check C++ Windows code for memory safety and threading issues, you need a review process that identifies smart-pointer ownership errors, HANDLE lifetimes, use-after-move, and mutexes held across blocking I/O. This analysis requires examining source code for shared state without synchronization.

Common Win32 API misuse pitfalls in C++ code reviews include unchecked return values, missing Named pipe DACLs, impersonation token leaks, and improper GetLastError usage. Identifying these issues ensures your Windows applications maintain security and reliability.

To validate COM lifetimes and HRESULT checks in Windows C++ applications, verify that every HRESULT return value is checked, AddRef and Release calls are properly paired, and CoInitialize and CoUninitialize are symmetric. Proper provider registration and GUID matching must also be validated.

Yes, this code review process covers MSVC-specific issues including ARM64 pointer truncation, __cpuid intrinsic usage, and warnings-as-errors interactions. Identifying these MSVC-specific pitfalls prevents architecture-specific failures in your C++ Windows builds.

The best way to detect ETW provider registration leaks is to validate that provider registration and unregistration are properly paired, check for GUID mismatches, and enforce event size limits. This prevents tracing infrastructure failures in C++ Windows applications.

Yes, you can use this review to find service lifecycle hangs and start ordering problems in C++ Windows code. It checks for blocking conditions during service stops and validates start sequencing to ensure reliable Windows service operation.