Compatibility Mode causing problems, How to remove this mode?

Our old computer (A Windows XP) went kepoot and my father tried installing a windows XP Quicken onto this Windows 7 computer, but it seems in his failed installation he enabled a Compatibility Mode, since I have noticed these things different with the computer:

Local Disc C: Program Files are no longer (x64) but now (x86) which seems wrong, but I am no computer wizz, but as far as I know it has always been (x64)

Further, when starting up Steam today I got an error stating Compatibility Mode was on and can cause problems. Problem is, I have no idea how Compatibility Mode works, or how to fix it. Instructions that I find online are to remove Compatability Mode on specific programs, but not the whole computer or drive...

Just wondering if anyone can help me return the computer to normal, back to Windows 7 and no Compatibility Mode, since my father gave up on his installation of the Windows XP version of Quicken and bought the new one.


When going to Steam's application and selecting properties then compatibility, there is a checked box to run in Compatibility Mode for Windows Vista, but it is grayed out so I cannot touch it, not sure if that is fine or bad.


Anyway, first thing first is I want to find out if it is bad that all of a sudden my program files are listed as x86 now, and if so how can I change it back. After that, I would like help fixing compatability mode with these various programs.

Thanks for the help

Welcome to the forum.

In 64 bit Windows there is a "Program Files" folder for 64 bit programs and "Program Files (x86)" folder for 32 bit programs. This has always been the case for 64 bit Windows. There is no (x64) folder. I know this seems odd but there are good reasons for it being this way. Do not try to rename these folders.