Compatibility Mode

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    Compatibility Mode

    Compatibility Mode

    How to Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    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.
    Compatibility Mode-compatibility-1.jpg
    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.
    Compatibility Mode-compatibility.jpgCompatibility Mode-msi_properties.jpg
    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.
    Compatibility Mode-settings.jpg

    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)
    Compatibility Mode-privilege-level.jpg
    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)
    Compatibility Mode-all_users.jpg
    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.
    Compatibility Mode-compatibility_all_users.jpg
    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.
    Compatibility Mode-context_menu.jpg
    2. You will see this for a moment while Windows 7 is detecting what the issues may be with the program. (see screenshot below)
    Compatibility Mode-stepa.jpg
    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)
    Compatibility Mode-stepb.jpg



    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)
    Code:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
    Code:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
    Compatibility Mode-reg1.jpg
    4. To Run a Program in Compatibility Mode
    A) In the right pane of Layers, right click on a empty area and click on New, then on String Value. (see screenshot below)
    Compatibility Mode-reg2.jpg
    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)
    Compatibility Mode-reg3.jpg
    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]
    Compatibility Mode-reg4.jpg
       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 Mode
    A) In the right pane of Layers, right click on the full path Name and click on Delete. (see screenshot below)
    Compatibility Mode-delete1.jpg
    B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion. (see screenshot below)
    Compatibility Mode-delete2.jpg
    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





  1. Posts : 1
    windows 7 RC (original vista business)
       #1

    thanks, just installed w7 yestarday and I was having trouble setting up my printer at work. Follow your instructions and it worked perfect.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 72,714
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    You're welcome Jotacorredor, and welcome to Seven Forums. :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #3

    I am using Windows 7 ultimate RC1. When I go to use compatibility mode to install Photostory 3 it does not give the same dropdown options shown in your tuorial windows. It only says "previous version of windows", and no other choice. And the program does not install.

    I also tried the wizard and it says something like "disabled version check". But it still doesn't install.

    I have found numerous sites and pictures on the web of people running photostory 3 on thier Windows 7 machines and installed it and run it using the steps above.

    How do I make the OS options show up for campatibility mode?

    Thanks, -Tim
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 72,714
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello Tim, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    Are you sure that you are doing this to the installation/setup file?

    Could you post a screenshot of this? It may help determine what may be wrong.

    Shawn
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate
       #5

    Here is a pic of what I see when I select the installer.

    Compatibility Mode-compmode.jpg

    I was expecting to see the list of past windows OS's like in your tutorial. I have a hunch that this is trying to run in vista mode, which it won't work in either. But it runs fine on my other machine with XP on it.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 72,714
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Tim,

    After some research on this, MSI files only have this option available. Instead of letting you choose what previos version of Windows to run the MSI file in compatibily mode as, it has Windows 7 automatically select what it thinks is best for it instead.

    It just doesn't seem like it is going to be compatible. You might see if there may be an update for it that addresses this.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Enterprise
       #7

    Just a question


    I have been running Windows 7 Enterprise for quite some time now and I recieved a call from a friend in a different state. She just got a new PC from a local computer shop and is trying to get some of her old programs to work with Windows 7 Home Premium. When I asked her to right click on the program Icon and go to properties, the compatibility tab is not there.

    After reading up a little more on the different Windows 7 operating systems, it looks like it should be available. I am having trouble finding why its not there.

    Any Ideas?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,807
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
       #8

    Jimbowayne said:
    I have been running Windows 7 Enterprise for quite some time now and I recieved a call from a friend in a different state. She just got a new PC from a local computer shop and is trying to get some of her old programs to work with Windows 7 Home Premium. When I asked her to right click on the program Icon and go to properties, the compatibility tab is not there.

    After reading up a little more on the different Windows 7 operating systems, it looks like it should be available. I am having trouble finding why its not there.

    Any Ideas?
    If it is a Windows Installer than that option isn't available
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 408
    Windows Seven Home Premium 32bit SP1
       #9

    Hi all & thank you for the tutorial Shawn, If i have a program already installed can i just change the compatibility mode of the program or do i need to reinstall it and apply compatibility mode to the installer?

    And if i have an old program (say 2007) should i just use compatibilty mode when i install it because it is that old (worked fine on Vista SP2) or try installing it normally?
      My Computer


 
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