Compatibility Mode

Brink · 22 Nov 2011

allie489 said:

Who would i ask on how to create a windows 98 virtual machine in windows 7?

Allie,

That would be a question that would be best posted in our Virtualization forum area since it's going off topic from this tutorial.

However, basically you would first need a Windows 98 ISO file to use to install Windows 98 to a virtual machine. Depending on what edition (ex: Ultimate) of Windows 7 you have, you would need to install a program like Windows Virtual Machine, VMWare Player, or Virtual Box to create the virtual machine with, then install Windows 98 on the virtual machine. :)

brewerg · 28 Nov 2011

Great article, but I have a followup question. I read about setting the properties of the .exe to run in compatitibility mode, but how do you get those settings to stick when moving that .exe to another computer? I.e. it worked fine on my own pc, and still reflects the properties after the install, but if I copy the exe to a flash drive and move it to another computer to do another install, the properties are gone...
Thanks!

Brink · 28 Nov 2011

Hello Brewerg, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately, the compatibility mode settings for the EXE do not transfer over when copied to another computer. It must be set to how you want it on the new computer as well.

Maddie · 22 Jan 2012

I don't have a compatibility option with the program I am trying to install. Here's a screenshot.

Brink · 22 Jan 2012

Hello Maddie, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Sorry, but your screenshot is of the properties page of your CD drive and not of a program's installation file. You will need to right click on the installation file itself instead.

jlusen · 20 Apr 2012

Hi. I was hoping you could provide a brief explaination of the pros & cons of compatability mode vs. XP mode.

Thank You

Brink · 20 Apr 2012

Hello jlusen, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Compatibility Mode has Windows 7 run the program as if it was running in XP.

XP Mode is XP virtual machine (a separate OS running in Windows 7 as a window) that runs inside the Windows Virtual PC program in Windows 7. Programs installed in the XP Mode virtual machine can have a shortcut in the Windows 7 Start Menu to be able to run the program as if it was running in the XP Mode virtual machine.

The pros and cons really depends on your needs and if the older XP program will run fine or not by just using Compatibility Mode. XP Mode will have no problem running XP programs, but requires you to install "Windows Virtual PC" and "XP Mode". Afterwards, install the XP program in XP Mode.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

mojonba · 16 May 2012

Brink,

I am trying to disable Desktop Window Composition for AutoCad Lt 2013 on w7 x64. I have done it via the compatibility tab as well as the registry option with no avail. I am doing it right as it works with other executables. It just doesnot work with AutoCad LT 2013. Any ideas on how to force this?

Thanks,

Brink · 16 May 2012

Hello Mojonba,

The program may be overriding it. I don't know of any way to force it if that's the case.

yankeesdrums2 · 03 Jun 2012

Hello "Brink," I have seen the info. and help you have been able to give to others. Based on that I was wondering if you or someone else could help me. I am trying to reinstall my older games like Star Wars Empire At War and the C&C Generals and Zero Hour games. Every time I try to install they get locked on a Data Audio English MEG file, even after tried this whole compatibility thing and still not sure if I am doing it right. I have Vista 64 bit. Gave all of my computer info. to register for this forum. With that info. could you or someone actually walk me through how to get these damn games to work! I would call myself computer stupid, I don't understand all this lingo. Not sure what to do next except of course to go with Apple where my wife never has any computer issues.

Compatibility Mode

For Brink, ? about all my old games