Tip & How-To about Microsoft Computers & Internet
The Software Compatibility Troubleshooter
Most applications designed for Windows 7 and earlier versions work automatically on Windows 8.1 and newer. However, when an older program fails to work properly on your current OS-for example, it runs slowly or not at all-you should attempt to resolve the problem by using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter, which runs the software while simulating the behavior of an earlier version of Windows. Often this relatively simple process can resolve the problem and allow the program to run. You can open the troubleshooting tool by following these steps:
1. Open the Control Panel.
2. Under System and Security, click Find and fix problems.
3. Within the Troubleshooting screen, click Run programs made for previous versions of Windows
, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click Troubleshooting. Under Programs, click Run programs made for previous versions of Windows. Most programs written for Windows Vista also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or
not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, you can try changing
the compatibility settings for the program, either manually or by using the
Program Compatibility troubleshooter.
If changing the settings doesn't fix the problem, go to the
program manufacturer's website to see if there is an update for the program.
Warning
Do not use the Program Compatibility troubleshooter on older
antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because it might
cause data loss or create a security risk.
Follow the instructions in the troubleshooter.
If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for
the program and, using the troubleshooter, browse to the program's setup file,
usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The troubleshooter
is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file
name extension.
Tip
You can also open the Program Compatibility troubleshooter by
right-clicking a program's icon or shortcut and then clicking Troubleshoot compatibility.
To change compatibility settings manually for a program,
right-click the program icon, click Properties, and then
click the Compatibility tab.
Setting
Description
Compatibility mode
Runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows. Try this setting if you know the program is
designed for (or worked in) a specific previous version of Windows.
Run in 256 colors
Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs
are designed to use fewer colors.
Run in 640 × 480 screen
resolution
Runs the program in a smaller-sized window. Try this setting if
the graphical user interface appears jagged or is rendered
improperly.
Disable visual themes
Disables themes
on the program. Try this setting if you notice problems with the menus or
buttons on the title bar of the program.
Disable desktop composition
Turns off transparency and other advanced display features. Choose
this setting if window movement appears erratic or you notice other display
problems.
Disable display scaling on high DPI
settings
Turns off automatic resizing of programs if large-scale font size
is in use. Try this setting if large-scale fonts are interfering with the
appearance of the program. For more information, see Make the text
on your screen larger or smaller.
Privilege level
Runs the program as an administrator. Some programs require
administrator privileges to run properly. If you are not currently logged on as
an administrator, this option is not available.
Change settings for all
users
Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this
computer.
Article ID: MSW700015
Most programs written for Windows Vista also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, you can try changing the compatibility settings for the program, either manually or by using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.
If changing the settings doesn't fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer's website to see if there is an update for the program.
Warning
Do not use the Program Compatibility troubleshooter on older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because it might cause data loss or create a security risk.
Follow the instructions in the troubleshooter.
If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the troubleshooter, browse to the program's setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The troubleshooter is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension.
Tip
You can also open the Program Compatibility troubleshooter by right-clicking a program's icon or shortcut and then clicking Troubleshoot compatibility.
To change compatibility settings manually
To change compatibility settings manually for a program, right-click the program icon, click Properties, and then click the Compatibility tab.
Setting
Description
Compatibility mode
Runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows. Try this setting if you know the program is designed for (or worked in) a specific previous version of Windows.
Run in 256 colors
Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs are designed to use fewer colors.
Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution
Runs the program in a smaller-sized window. Try this setting if the graphical user interface appears jagged or is rendered improperly.
Disable visual themes
Disables themes on the program. Try this setting if you notice problems with the menus or buttons on the title bar of the program.
Disable desktop composition
Turns off transparency and other advanced display features. Choose this setting if window movement appears erratic or you notice other display problems.
Disable display scaling on high DPI settings
Turns off automatic resizing of programs if large-scale font size is in use. Try this setting if large-scale fonts are interfering with the appearance of the program. For more information, see Make the text on your screen larger or smaller.
Privilege level
Runs the program as an administrator. Some programs require administrator privileges to run properly. If you are not currently logged on as an administrator, this option is not available.
Change settings for all users
Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this computer.
If the program is not compatible, then you may try to install and run the program in compatibility mode.
Use the following steps:
1) Right click on the Program
2) Click on Properties
3) Click on Compatibility tab
4) Select
Run this program in compatibility mode and select Windows Vista or
whatever operating system the program was running successfully.
Refer to the link here: Make older programs run in this version of Windows
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-Windows
If the compatibility is not successful, then try and runthe Program Compatibility troubleshooter:
1. Open the Program Compatibility troubleshooter by clicking theStart button.
Then click Control Panel. In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then clickTroubleshooting. Under Programs, clickRun programs made for previous versions of Windows.
2. Follow the instructions in the troubleshooter.
If
you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the
program and, using the troubleshooter, browse to the program's setup
file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The
troubleshooter is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi
file name extension.
If you run Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate version, install Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP mode (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx) and execute your software in Windows XP.
If you run Windows 7 Home Premium, try VirtualBox (www.virtualbox.org) or VMware Player (www.vmware.com) and install a separate copy of Windows XP (either Home Edition or Professional) for that purpose.You can find virtualization software free of charge that will run on Windows 7 Home Premium.
Hope this helps.
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