Compatibility Mode

How to Use Compatibility Mode in Vista


information   Information
Compatibility mode is a feature in Vista that lets you run programs in Vista written for earlier versions of Windows. It is not a guarantee that it will work, but it may help the program run better or like normal.
Note   Note
For the best possible result you should try running the installation program in compatibility mode also, then try running the program's shortcut or .exe file in compatibility mode after it is installed. Some programs may also require to use Run as Administrator (step 8 below).
warning   Warning

  • If you turned off User Account Control (UAC), then some programs will be required to use compatibility mode to run properly.
  • Do not use Compatibility mode on older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs, because it might cause data loss or create a security risk. These type of programs run to specifically for the Windows version they were made for.
Tip   Tip
To see if you hardware or software is listed as compatible with Vista, see: Windows Vista Compatibility Center




Here's How:
Tip   Tip
Some older programs may just need a updated version or patch installed before they will run properly in Vista.

1. Right click on the program's shortcut, .exe file, or installation program.​
2. Click on Properties.​
3. Click on the Compatibility tab.​
NOTE: If these options are grayed out, then you may be able to put the program in compatiblilty mode by adding it manually to the list.
4. To Have the Program Run in Compatibility Mode
A) Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box. (See screenshot below)​
B) Continue to step 5.​
Compatibility.jpg


5. Settings Section
NOTE: On some older applications, it may be necessary to select and try different combinations of these display setting options if the application still does not quite run properly. (See the screenshot above).​
6. To Select or Change a Compatibility Mode for the Program
A) Click on the drop down menu arrow and select which version of Windows the program was made for. (See screenshot below step 10)​
NOTE: Always pick the latest Windows version the program was made for to have a better chance of it running in Vista.
B) Go to Step 8.​

7. To Remove the Program from Running in Compatibility Mode
A) Uncheck the Run this program in compatibility mode for box. (See screenshot below step 10)​
B) Go to step 10.​

8. To Have the Program Run as Administrator
NOTE: On some older programs and installation files, it may be required for them to Run as administrator for it run properly. This is usually due to the fact that the older program was not designed for the UAC permission approval in Vista. Test running the program without using this first.​
A) Check the Run this program as an administrator box. (See screenshot below step 10)​
B) Go to step 10.​

9. To Stop the Program from Running as Administrator
A) Uncheck the Run this program as an administrator box. (See screenshot below step 10)​

10. Click on OK to apply and close window.​
Compatibilty mode.jpg

11. Now try and run the program to see if it will run properly.​
NOTE: If it does not run properly, then try another compatibility mode setting.​
That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Computer.png
    Computer.png
    58.5 KB · Views: 380
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Shawn,

In addition to the information in your tutorial, it may also be necessary to try enabling and disabling various combinations of the options under the 'Settings' section if a program doesn't quite run correctly.
Dwarf
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
    CPU
    Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.2GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
    Memory
    4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
    Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
    Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
    WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
    PSU
    XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
    Case
    Gigabyte IF233
    Cooling
    1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
    Internet Speed
    NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/s (O2)
    Other Info
    Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
    Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
    WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
    Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)
Thank you Dwarf. It has been added.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
You're welcome.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
    CPU
    Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.2GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
    Memory
    4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
    Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
    Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
    WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
    PSU
    XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
    Case
    Gigabyte IF233
    Cooling
    1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
    Internet Speed
    NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/s (O2)
    Other Info
    Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
    Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
    WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
    Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)
Back
Top