Windows Compatibility
Do you have a program that just won’t start or install on Microsoft Vista or Windows 7?
Most often this can be remedied !
If you have a program that ran on previous versions of windows with a few steps you may be able to run them on Vista or Windows.
Keep in mind that these steps do not guarantee that the program will run correctly or very quickly. Some programs just won’t run at all.
There are actually three methods of creating compatibility for programs that ran on previous versions of windows. But first some things you need research.
Look on the box that the software came with, or go to the company’s website to find out what version of windows the program ran under properly, while you are there though, see if they have released a compatible version or a patch for the program you want to use, for the operating system you have.
Method one is to right click on the install program and select “troubleshoot compatibility”. A wizard will pop up to try and detect issues. When that is finished you are presented with two options. Click on the second option “troubleshoot program”. You will be presented with another list of options. Mark the first and third boxes then click next.
In the next window you will be able to choose the operating system that the program normally worked on. Click next after you have picked one. The next window will allow you to start the program. Click on that and the program will be fooled into installing with the settings of the operating system you have chosen.
After you have completed the installation, run the program. If it runs properly you are finished the compatibility process.
The other method is to open the program compatibility wizard by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Use an older program with this version of Windows.
Follow the instructions for each step in the wizard.
There third method is to right click on the program executable or install program. Select properties. You will note in window that pops up the compatibility tab. Click on that tab to manually set options Such as running the program in compatibility mode,.
- Compatibility mode-which allows you to run the program with the settings of another windows operating system that you know it will run on. If not sure try Microsoft XP first.
- Run in 256 colors- limits the amount of colours the program uses. Older programs aren’t designed to run on the amount of colours that Microsoft Vista and Windows 7 use.
- Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution-uses a smaller window especially if the graphics don’t appear to be running properly.
- Disable visual themes-use this setting if you discover problems with menus or buttons that appear in the program.
- Disable desktop composition-shuts of aero and other display options that Vista and Windows 7 use. Select this option if the program is jumpy or does not display as intended.
- Disable display scaling on high DPI settings-mark this setting to disable the font settings you are currently using.
- Privilege level-a lot of programs require-Runs the program as an administrator. Some programs require administrator privileges to run properly. If you a not an administrator this option will not appear.
- Show settings for all users-Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this computer.
Using these steps should allow you to run those older programs on the newer operating systems without having to spend money on a newer program that you will need to re-learn
