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 in Windows 7. You can also use Compatibility mode to always have a program to Run as an administrator.

   Note

32 bit Windows has emulation for 16 bit programs built in. 64-bit Windows only has emulation for 32 bit programs. If the program ran on 32-bit Windows 7 and not 64 bit, then chances are it's a 16 bit program and you may have to use something like DosBox or XP Mode to be able to run it in 64-bit Windows.

   Tip

If changing the Compatibility settings does not fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer's website 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 Center home

   Warning

Do not use Compatibility mode on antivirus programs, firewall programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because it could cause data loss or create a security risk.

You only want to use these type of programs for the Windows listed in their system requirements.

OPTION ONE

To Set Compatibility Mode of Application in 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.

4. To Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Only your User Account
NOTE: 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.A) Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box. (see screenshot below)

B) Click on the drop down menu arrow and select which version of Windows the program was made for. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Always pick the latest Windows version the program was written for to have a better chance of it running properly in Windows 7.

   Warning

MSI files (right screenshot below) will only have the Previous version of Windows option available for it. This option will allow Windows 7 to automatically use the previous version compatibility mode it thinks is best for the MSI file to run properly as. You will not be able to do steps 5 and 6 below.

5. To Change the Settings for a Program in Only your User Account
NOTE: These settings will be grayed out and not available for 64-bit programs.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.

Setting	Description
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 (DPI) is in use. Try this setting if large-scale fonts are interfering with the appearance of the program.

6. To Change the Privilege Level of a Program in Only your User Account
NOTE: 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.A) Check or uncheck the Run this program as an administrator box to enable or disable this option. (see screenshot below)


7. To Change These Settings for All Users
NOTE: You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this step. A) Click on the Change settings for all users button. (See screenshot below)

B) Repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 in this new window to apply them to all users on the computer, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Changes made here will override and gray out the same setting in the window used in step 4, 5, or 6 above.


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

OPTION TWO

Set Compatibility Mode of Application using "Troubleshoot compatibility"

NOTE: This option opens the Program Compatibility Assistant wizard to let Windows 7 help decide what is best to try and make 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 compatibility option available for pinned items in the Start Menu or on the taskbar. You will only have the Troubleshoot compatibility option available for 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 with the program. (see screenshot below)

3. The wizard will now give you a list of choices to choose from. Select the option you would like to try, then follow the rest of the onscreen instructions until you are through troubleshooting the compatibility issue with the program. (see screenshot below)

OPTION THREE

To Set Compatibility Mode of Application 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 each location below one at a time and do the steps below for each location. (see screenshot below)

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

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers

4. To Run a Program in Compatibility ModeA) In the right pane of Layers, right click on a empty area and click on New, then on String Value. (see screenshot below)

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

C) Type in a single or combination of Data values (see tables below) for how you want to run the program 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 are in the table below.

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

   Tip

EXAMPLE ONE:
To run a program as if it was in Windows Vista SP2 (Compatibility Mode), and Run 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 Settings) with the above example, you would type:

VISTASP2 256Color 640x480 RUNASADMIN

Compatibility Mode	Data Value
Windows 95	WIN95
Windows 98 / Windows Me	WIN98
Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 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	640x480
Disable 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 ModeA) In the right pane of Layers, right click on the full path Name and click on Delete. (see screenshot below)

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


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



That's it,
Shawn Brink

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Turn Internet Explorer Compatibility View On or Off for a Website
• How to Display All Websites in Compatibility View in Internet Explorer
• How to Disable Desktop Composition for a Program
• How to Create a Program Compatibility Troubleshoot Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Windows 7 Program Compatibility Assistant
• How to Add or Remove "Troubleshoot compatibility" from the Context Menu in Windows 7
• How to Add "Run as administrator" to VBS File Context Menu
• How to Add "Run as administrator" to MSI File Context Menu
• How to Add or Remove "Compatibility" Tab in Properties Page in Windows

 

[Brink]

Hello Yankeesdrums2, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Since this is with Vista, you would be better servered to register and post this in the Gaming area at our sister site Vista Forums.

If any of those games use a 16-bit installer, then they will not install in a 64-bit OS but may in a 32-bit one. I hope you get a solution soon.

 

[jaa1755]

I registered to say thanks! This worked perfectly. I was having an issue installing an older HP printer, but running the .exe in vista SP2 and admin mode got it installed and working.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome jaa1755, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[acepilot00]

When I Right-click>[properties] I don't have a compatibility tab. Any Idea why this is?

 

[Brink]

Hello acepilot, and welcome to Seven Forums.

What type of file is this for? Could you also post a screenshot of the properties page to see if it may reveal anything?

 

[acepilot00]

Hello acepilot, and welcome to Seven Forums.

What type of file is this for? Could you also post a screenshot of the properties page to see if it may reveal anything?

I don't know what the file is, but it is for the game assassins creed. Here is a screenshot:

 

[Brink]

Do you have a "Compatibility" tab for the .exe file of this game?

 

[acepilot00]

Do you have a "Compatibility" tab for the .exe file of this game?

how can i find that?

 

[Brink]

You can click on the "Shortcut" tab in your screenshot above, then click on the "Open File Location" button towards the bottom. That'll take you directly to the .exe file that this shortcut's target is for.

 

[acepilot00]

That took me here:

Which doesn't have a properties option.

 

[Brink]

Ah, that's why then. You'll need to look in your C:\Program Files\Ubisoft\Assassin's Creed folder for the AssassinsCreedGame.exe (not sure of actual name) type file that is responsible for running the game. You can then use compatibility mode on the .exe file.

 

[acepilot00]

how do i get there?
in C:\Program Files I dont have a Ubisoft folder

 

[Brink]

That's just an example path, but should be the usual one for that game. How about in C:\Program Files (x86)?

 

[DeanoMN]

REG (Option 3)

I am lost with how to do this via the registry for all users. HKey Local User? What is that? Did you mean Hkey_Local_Machine? I did add the entries there and went back to the .exe and did properties and noticed nothing changed. help please.

Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Deano, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, it's HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE for all users.

Could you also post a screenshot of what it shows in OPTION ONE for the program?

Have you already restarted the computer to see if it changed as per OPTION ONE afterwards?

 

[DeanoMN]

Thanks for the quick reply. Here is the screenshot of the .exe

and also the screen of the registry.

Thanks for your help

I did reboot as well Brink

 

[Brink]

You might also set this in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER registry location as well to see if that may help.

Using OPTION ONE would be much easier though.

 

[DeanoMN]

Yeah i think it has to go in current user. i am trying to make it a non-manual process (and not put something in startup of all users), but looks like i will need to manually touch each workstation.

Thanks for your time though (but i would suggest remove Option3 in the docs)

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. Nar, Option Three works just fine, but it just depends on your situation for what works best.

 

[BrittanMoseley]

when i try to click on the tick to run in compatibility mode, it is stuck on vista, even though i have windows 7. i cannot change this option as it is grayed and faded. i have windows 7 64 bit