compatibility mode - windows 7

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Compatibility Mode

How to Run a Program in Compatibili ty Mode in Windows 7

Published by Brink

11-04-2008

Compatibility Mode

How to Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows

7

Information

Compatibility mode allows a older program written for an earlier versions of Windows to possibly run inWindows 7. You can also use Compatibi li ty mode to always have a program to Run as anadministrator.

Tip

If changing the Com patibility settings does not fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer'swebsite to see if there is an update for the program.

To see if your software is compatible with Windows 7, check it here: Windows 7 Compatibility Centerhome

Warning

Do not use Compatibility mode o n older antivirus programs, disk utilities, o r other system programsbecause it might cause data loss or create a security risk.

OPTION ONE

Through Properties Page

1. Right click on the program's shortcut (LNK file), .EXE file, BAT file, CMD file, or MSI file.

2. Click on Properties.

3. Click on the Compatibility tab. (see screenshot below)NOTE:If the Compatiblity options are grayed out, then it is a 64 bit program and cannot be changed.

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BrinkAdministrator

Join Date: Oct 2008

Location: Texas

Posts: 25,985

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4. To Run a Program in Compatibility ModeNOTE:Runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows. Try this setting if youknow the program is designed for (or worked in) a specific previous version of Windows.

A) Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box. (see screenshotbelow)

B) Click on the drop down m enu a rrow and se lect which version o f W indows theprogram was made for. (see screenshot below)NOTE:Always pick the latest Windows version the program was written for to have abetter chance of it running properly in Windows 7.

Warning

MSI files (right screensho t below) will only have the Previous version of Windowsoption available for it. This o ption will allow Windows 7 to automatically use theprevious version compatibility m ode it thinks is best for the MSI file to runproperly as. You will not be able to do steps 5 and 6 below.

5. To Change the Settings for a Program

A) Check or uncheck the settings you want for the program. (see screenshot below)NOTE: See the table below the screenshot for a description of each setting.


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Setting Description

Run in 256 colorsUses a limited set of colors in the program. Some o lderprograms are designed to use fewer colors.

Run in 640 480screen resolution

Runs the program in a smaller-sized window. Try thissetting if the graphical use r interface appe ars jagged or isrendered improperly.

Disable visualthemes

Disables themes on the program. Try this setting if younotice problems with the menus or buttons on the title barof the program.

Disable desktopcomposition

Turns off transparency and other advanced display features.Choose this setting if window movement a ppears e rratic or

you notice other display problems.Disable displayscaling on high DPIsettings

Turns off a utomatic resizing of programs if large-scale fontsize (DPI) is in use . Try this setting if large-scale fo nts areinterfering with the appearance of the program.

6. To Change the Privilege Level of a ProgramNOTE:Runs the program as an administrator. Some programs require administrator privileges to runproperly. If you are not currently logged on as an administrator, this option is not available.

A) Check or uncheck the Run this program as an administrator box to enable ordisable this option. (see screenshot below)

7. To Change All of These Settings Above for All UsersNOTE:Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this computer.

A) Click on the Change settings for all users button. (See screenshot below)

B) Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 in this window to apply them to all users on thecomputer. (see screenshot below)

C) Click on OK.


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8. Click on OK to apply the changes. (see screenshot below step 3)

OPTION TWO

Using "Troubleshoot compatibility" Context Menu Item

NOTE:This option opens the Program Compatibil itywizard to let Windows 7 help decide what is best to try andmake the program compatible.

1. Right click on the program's shortcut (LNK file), .EXE file, BAT file, CMD file, or MSI file,and click on Troubleshoot compatibility. (see screenshot below)NOTE:You will not have the Troubleshoot compatibi lity option available for pinned items in theStart Menu or on the taskbar. You will only have the Troubleshoot compatibi lityoption availablefor 3rd party programs in the Start Menu - All Programs area instead.

2. You will see this for a moment while Windows 7 is detecting what the issues may be withthe program. (see screenshot below)

3. The wizard will now give you a list of choices to choose from. Select the option you wouldlike to try, then follow the rest of the onscreen instructions until you are through


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troubleshooting the compatibility issue with the program. (see screenshot below)

OPTION THREE

Manually in Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Laye

4. To Run a Program in Compatibility Mode

A) In the right pane ofLayers, right click on a empty area and click on New, thenon String Value. (see screenshot below)

B) Type in the full path of the program's exe file and press Enter, then right clickon the full path and click on Modify. (see screenshot below)

C) Type in a single or combination ofData values (see tables be low) for how youwant to run the prog ram as , and click on OK. (see screenshot below)NOTE:If you use more than one Settings, then you must add them in the order they arein the table below.

[Compatibility Mode (only one)] + space + [Settings (one or more with a spaceinbetween)] + space + [Privilege Level]


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Tip

EXAMPLE ONE:To run a program as if it was in Windows Vista SP2 (Compatibility Mode), andRun in 256 colors (Settings), and to run as administrator you would type:

VISTASP2 256Color RUNASADMIN

EXAMPLE TWO:Say you also wanted to Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution (2nd Se ttings) with theabove ex ample, you would type:

VISTASP2 256Color 640x480 RUNASA DMIN

Compatibility Mode Data Value

Windows 95 WIN95

Windows 98 / Windows Me WIN98

Windows NT 4.0 (Service P ack 5) NT4SP5

Windows 2000 WIN2000

Windows XP (Service Pack 2) WINXPSP2

Windows XP (Service Pack 3) WINXPSP3

Windows Server 2003 (Service Pack 1) WINSRV03SP1

Windows Server 2008 (Service Pack 1) WINSRV08SP1

Windows Vista VISTARTM

Windows Vista (Service Pack 1 ) VISTASP1

Windows Vista (Service Pack 2 ) VISTASP2

Windows 7 WIN7RTM

Settings Data Value

Run in 256 colors 256Color

Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution 640x480Disable visual themes DISABLETHEMES

Disable desktop composition DISABLEDWM

Disable display scaling on high DPI settings HIGHDPIAWARE

Privilege Level Data Value

Run this program as an Administrator RUNASADMIN

5. To Stop a Program from Running in Compatibility Mode

A) In the right pane of Layers, right click on the full p ath Name and click onDelete. (see screenshot below)

B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion. (see screenshot below)

6. Close regedit when do ne.NOTE:Some programs may require you to restart the computer for this to be applied.


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That's it,Shawn

Related Tutorials

How to Turn Internet Explorer Compatibility View On o r Off fo r a Web siteHow to Display All Websites in C ompatibility View in Internet ExplorerHow to Disable Desktop Composition for a ProgramHow to Create a Program Compatibility Troubleshoot Shortcut in Windows 7How to Enable or Disable Windows 7 Program Compatibility AssistantHow to Add or Remove "Troubleshoot compatibility" from the Context Menu in Windows 7How to Add "Run as administrator" to VBS File Context MenuHow to Add "Run as administrator" to MSI File Context Menu

08-03-2009 #1

jotacorredor

windows 7 RC

(original vista

business)

1 posts

thanks, just installed Windows 7 yestarday and I was having trouble setting up my printer at work. Followyour instructions a nd it worked perfect.

My System Specs

08-03-2009 #2

Brink

Windows 7 Ultimate

x64 SP1

25,985 posts

Texas

You're welcome Jotacorredor, and welcome to Seven Forums.

My System Specs

08-06-2009 #3

TTalma

Windows 7 Ultimate

2 posts

I am using Windows 7 ultimate RC1. W hen I go to use compatibility mode to install Photostory 3 it doesnot give the same dropdown options shown in your tuorial windows. It only says "previous ve rsion ofwindows", and no other choice. And the program does not install.

I also tried the wizard and it says something like "disabled version check". But it still doesn't install.

I have found numerous sites and pictures on the web of people running photostory 3 on thier Windows 7machines and installed it and run it using the steps a bove.

How do I make the OS options show up for campatibility mode?

Thanks, -Tim

My System Specs

.

08-06-2009 #4

Brink

Windows 7 Ultimate

x64 SP1

25,985 posts

Texas

Hello Tim, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Are you sure that you are doing this to the installation/setup file?

Could you post a screenshot of this? It may help determine what may be wrong.

Shawn

My System Specs


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08-06-2009 #5

TTalma

Windows 7 Ultimate

2 posts

Here is a pic of what I s ee when I select the installer.

I was e xpe cting to see the list of past windows OS's like in your tutorial. I ha ve a hunch that this is trying torun in vista mode, which it won't work in either. But it runs fine on m y other machine with XP on it.

My System Specs

08-06-2009 #6

Brink

Windows 7 Ultimate

x64 SP1

25,985 posts

Texas

Tim,

After some research on this, MSI files only have this option available. Instead of letting you choose whatprevios version of Windows to run the MSI file in compatibily mode as, it has Windows 7 automaticallyselect what it thinks is best fo r it instead.

It just doesn't seem like it is going to be compatible. You might see if there may be an update for it thataddresses this.

My System Specs

11-04-2009 #7

Jimbowayne

Windows 7 Enterprise

1 posts

Just a question

I have been running Windows 7 Enterprise for quite some time now and I recieved a call from a friend in adifferent state. She just got a new PC from a local computer shop and is trying to get some of her oldprograms to work with Windows 7 Home Premium. When I asked her to right click on the program Icon andgo to properties, the compatibility tab is not there.

After reading up a little more on the different Windows 7 operating systems, it looks like it should beavailable. I am having trouble finding why its not there.

Any Ideas?

My System Specs

11-04-2009 #8

Zidane24

Windows 7 Home

Premium x64 - Mac

OS X 10.6.4 x64

5,999 posts

North Carolina,

United States of

America

Quote: Originally Posted by Jimbowayne

I have been running Windows 7 Enterprise for quite some time now and I recieved a call from a friend in adifferent state. She just got a new PC from a local computer shop and is trying to get some of her oldprograms to work with Windows 7 Home Premium. When I asked her to right click on the program Icon andgo to properties, the compatibility tab is not there.

After reading up a little more on the different Windows 7 operating systems, it looks like it should beavailable. I am having trouble f inding why its not there.

Any Ideas?

If it is a Windows Installer than that option isn't available

My System Specs


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11-15-2009 #9

mitchell64

Windows Seven

Home Premium 32bit

SP1

450 posts

New Zealand

Hi all & thank you for the tutorial Shawn, If i have a program already installed can i just change thecompatibility mode of the program or do i need to reinstall it and apply compatibility mode to the installer?

And if i have an old program (say 2007) should i just use compatibilty mode when i install it because it isthat old (worked fine on Vista SP2) o r try installing it normally?

My System Specs

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