I have the same problem, but in Win 7 too.
I'm using CResourceStream...
Gdiplus::Bitmap *m_pBitmap = Gdiplus::Bitmap::FromStream((IStream*)&strTruck,TRUE);
if (m_pBitmap)
{
if (m_pBitmap->GetLastStatus() == Gdiplus::Ok)
TRACE("OK");
}
delete m_pBitmap;