Windows 7 - Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable

**Brink**

How to Enable or Disable Windows 7 Program Compatibility Assistant

Information

The Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) runs in the background and monitors user initiated programs for known compatibility issues at run time. Whenever a potential issue with an application is detected, the PCA will prompt the user with pointers to recommended solutions.

The PCA is enabled and turned on by default. This will show you how to enable or disable PCA in Windows 7. Turning off PCA is useful for system administrators who require faster performance and are aware of the compatibility of the applications they are using.

Note

With the PCA turned off, users will not be presented with solutions to known compatibility issues when running applications.

Warning

The Diagnostic Policy Service (DPS) and Program Compatibility Assistant Service must be set to Started and Automatic in Services for the PCA to be able to be enabled and to execute.

EXAMPLE: Program Compatibility Assistant Warnings
NOTE: These are some examples of the warnings that PCA may give you if it detects a compatibility issue with a program. You can read more about these here: Application Compatibility: Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA)

OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download

1. To Enable Program Compatibility Assistant
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_Program_Compatibility_Assistant.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Disable Program Compatibility Assistant
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_Program_Compatibility_Assistant.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Restart the computer to fully apply.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION TWO

Through the Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Application Compatibility. (see screenshot below)

3. In the right pane, right click on Turn off Program Compatibility Assistant and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)

4. To Enable Program Compatibility Assistant
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable Program Compatibility Assistant
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)

6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)

7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**helenp** · 03-16-2010

Hi,

I took your reg key and made a VB script for Windows 7:

Dim WshShell
Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat\DisablePCA",00000001,"REG_DWORD"

I also added to my script the program compat Flag, in my case Visual studio 2005:

WshShell.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\{5f66dbae-cad3-468a-83d0-77ace8abc1f6}",00000004,"REG_DWORD"

as described here How to disable program fixes and Program Compatibility Assistant warnings in Windows Vista

This stopped Program Compatibility Assistant warning when installing Visual studio 2005 .

You must run the script and program as admin

**Woundman** · 03-17-2010

Going to assume the registry method is the alternative for people who don't have Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterpise?

**helenp** · 03-17-2010

I needed this script so that i could deploy windows 7 and Visual studio 2005 using MS system center.

I couldn't use group policy because the visual studio installer runs as part on a task sequence to install windows 7- group policy don't apply until after this has completed.

So the script could be used as part of windows 7 & software deployment.

Windows 7 enterprise

**Brink** · 03-17-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Woundman

Going to assume the registry method is the alternative for people who don't have Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterpise?

Hello Woundman, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, that would be correct, but either option can be used in the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterpise editions as well.

**janmejaya** · 03-21-2010

is it same as disabling "Diagnostic Policy Service"
Because i think this service is responsible for these including network problem diagnostic also.

**Brink** · 03-21-2010

Hello Janmejaya,

Almost. While both will stop the Program Compatibility Assistant Warnings, disabling the "Diagnostic Policy Service" may cause unknown issues though since it is not disabled or stopped after applying any of the methods in the tutorial. I would recommend using one of the methods in the tutorial instead.

**pacinitaly** · 09-28-2010

folder missing in my registry

2nd pic is after .reg file merged

**Brink** · 09-29-2010

Hello Carmine,

Were you wanting to enable or disable this?

If enable, then that would be correct since the REG file removes the entry.

If disable, then refresh the Registry Editor window to see if that may be all that it is.

**pacinitaly** · 09-29-2010

thanks Shawn,

I'm on the vista rig now

but the 1st pic was B4 merging .reg and pic2 was after ( to enable )

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