Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable

How to Enable or Disable Program Compatibility Assistant in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8​

   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.

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) for all or specific users in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

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

To Enable or Disable Program Compatibility Assistant using a REG File

1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.

2. To Enable Program Compatibility Assistant for All Users
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Enable_Program_Compatibility_Assistant.reg

Download


3. To Disable Program Compatibility Assistant for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Disable_Program_Compatibility_Assistant.reg


Download


4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC Windows 7/8) or Continue (UAC Vista), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7. Restart the computer to fully apply.

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

OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable Program Compatibility Assistant in Group Policy

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, double click on Turn off Program Compatibility Assistant to edit it, and go to step 4 or 5 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot above)

4. To Enable Program Compatibility Assistant
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.
5. To Disable Program Compatibility Assistant
A) Select (dot) Enabled, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 6)
6. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Create a Program Compatibility Troubleshooter Shortcut in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 7
• How to Add or Remove "Troubleshoot compatibility" from the Context Menu in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Error Reporting in Windows 7

 

[Brink]

Hello OpTicaL,

I would recommend to use either the REG file or Group Policy in the tutorial. The REG file does the same thing as Group Policy, but I just added it for those that do not have Group Policy in their editions of Windows 7.

 

[0pTicaL]

Ok thanks Brink!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[chillz]

Can someone tell me what the default setting for the Program Compatibility Assistant Service is? I was thinking about turning it off so I disabled it but then decided against it and now I can't remember what it was originally set to. I checked Program Compatibility Assistant Service | Black Viper | www.blackviper.com and it says Win7 Ultimate's default setting is Manual but I have a feeling it's supposed to be Automatic or Automatic (delayed start). Can anyone who has Win7 and hasn't messed with the setting yet tell me what it was set to?

 

[Brink]

Hello Chillz,

The default setting for the service is Started and Automatic.

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.

 

[chillz]

Thank you Brink

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Chillz.

 

[wptski]

Rather old post but sometimes old info still works!

On W10TP and tried the Group Policy method. There's a note that states not in this windows version on the final page. I disabled, rebooted but still got the PCA. Would the registry method work?

 

[Brink]

Hello Bill,

In Windows 10, you would need to use the Group Policy location below instead in OPTION TWO, then use the same steps.

Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Application Compatibility.

 

[wptski]

I tried that first but still got the PCA blocking an install. There's a note on that final enable/disable page that states that it's not supported in this Windows version. Wonder why they'd have a page to make a change yet it's not supported?

This what it states:

This setting exists only for backward compatibility, and is not valid for this version of Windows. To configure the Program Compatibility Assistant, use the 'Turn off Program Compatibility Assistant' setting under Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Application Compatibility.

 

[Brink]

That message is at the User Configuration location instead. Did you open the Computer Configuration location instead?

 

[wptski]

That message is at the User Configuration location instead. Did you open the Computer Configuration location instead?

Actually I did! Did it correctly this time and w/wo reboot, still get the PCA. Just to double check, to turn PCA OFF, you actually check Enable as your OP states?

 

[Brink]

Yeah, selecting "Enabled" for the policy is suppose to disable (turn off) PCA.

Go ahead and post a screenshot showing the message you get from PCA (not group policy) to see if it may possibly be from something else.

 

[wptski]

The app installed on build 9841, going to 9860 paused waiting for me to uninstall so I did so before installing 9879. Here's a direct link to the AV(Webroot) file: http://anywhere.webrootcloudav.com/zerol/wsainstall.exe. It should open asking for a key code but I don't even get that far.

 

[Brink]

I get the same thing with it. It looks like you'll need to contact Webroot at the link below to see what they may say. Disabling PCA will not help Webroot to run.

https://detail.webrootanywhere.com/servicewelcome.asp

 

[wptski]

I get the same thing with it. It looks like you'll need to contact Webroot at the link below to see what they may say. Disabling PCA will not help Webroot to run.

https://detail.webrootanywhere.com/servicewelcome.asp

How can PCA indeed be disabled if still pops up?

Since W10TP isn't a official release they probably won't waste their time. I just found something else that worked on the last build but not on 9879! :-(

 

[Brink]

There doesn't appear to be an effective way to disable PCA in Windows 10 at this point.

It wouldn't hurt to contact them to see. I'm sure that they would like to make sure that their program will be compatible with Windows 10, and working with you may help to make it so.

 

[wptski]

There doesn't appear to be an effective way to disable PCA in Windows 10 at this point.

It wouldn't hurt to contact them to see. I'm sure that they would like to make sure that their program will be compatible with Windows 10, and working with you may help to make it so.

Okay, I sent in a request ticket, we'll see what becomes of it. Thanks for the help.

 

[wptski]

There doesn't appear to be an effective way to disable PCA in Windows 10 at this point.

It wouldn't hurt to contact them to see. I'm sure that they would like to make sure that their program will be compatible with Windows 10, and working with you may help to make it so.

A little more reading and I disabled the PCA services and it still pops up! Found the service in the registry, Start D Word value of 4 which is disabled yet the bugger still runs.

 

[Brink]

It's certainly persistent.