Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable

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    Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable

    Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable

    How to Enable or Disable Program Compatibility Assistant in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    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)
    Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-bb756937_ac_pca_10-en-us-msdn_10-.jpgProgram Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-bb756937_ac_pca_11-en-us-msdn_10-.jpg
    Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-bb756937_ac_pca_12-en-us-msdn_10-.jpgProgram Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-bb756937_ac_pca_15-en-us-msdn_10-.jpg
    Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-bb756937_ac_pca_16-en-us-msdn_10-.jpgProgram Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-bb756937_ac_pca_17-en-us-msdn_10-.jpg
    Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-bb756937_ac_pca_18-en-us-msdn_10-.jpg



    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
    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)
    Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-gpedit.jpg
    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)
    Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-gpedit2.jpg
    7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
    That's it,
    Shawn











  1. Posts : 2
    vista
       #1

    Hi,

    I took your reg key and made a VB script for Win7:

    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
    Last edited by helenp; 16 Mar 2010 at 09:32. Reason: must run as admin
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #2

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


  3. Posts : 2
    vista
       #3

    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
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,980
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Woundman said:
    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. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    windows 7
       #5

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


  6. Posts : 71,980
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    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. :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,113
    windows 7 professional & ultimate 64bit laptops
       #7

    folder missing in my registry


    2nd pic is after .reg file merged
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-capture.jpg   Program Compatibility Assistant - Enable or Disable-capture2.jpg  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,980
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    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.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,113
    windows 7 professional & ultimate 64bit laptops
       #9

    thanks Shawn,

    I'm on the vista rig now

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


 
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