What happens due to windows incompatibility. Common application compatibility issues

Favorite games and familiar programs cannot be replaced with new ones. When Microsoft releases a new OS, compatibility between programs from previous ones is a feature that developers think about first. But sometimes trying to start the old one results in an error. Are Microsoft employees really that careless about their jobs?

No, the fact is that for outdated software it is recommended to enable compatibility mode, which by default does not work 100%

How to run old software on a new OS

Despite numerous changes in Windows 8.1 and 10, they support programs for XP and 7 with rare exceptions. Windows 8 compatibility problems do occur, but this is 1 case out of 100. Similar things happen with applications for XP and OSes released earlier. The problem encountered is the inability to launch an old game.

What is compatibility mode? If the software or 3D toy was made for win2000, then it probably won’t work on Vista. The point is the different OS structures. Software is created to work in a specific environment. When it gets into an unfamiliar one, it does not start or functions with errors. Windows compatibility is a way to “slip” into an application data from the old OS that is present in the new one. But sometimes the need to launch such functionality is unfounded.

Under development software regularly receives new installers. There is no point in running an old antivirus on eight or ten when it has already been updated 10 times. So first check if there is a new “build”. The exception is for programs whose previous releases still contain useful features, for some reason not implemented in updates. In order for the old application to work correctly in the new OS and without failures, it is recommended to set the compatibility mode. This is not a special program for running old games or software: everything is implemented standard means Windows.

Outdated programs and games in G8 (or 8.1)

How to make the game compatible with Windows 8? Do you have a retro game lying around or an old program that has no worthy analogues, but it does not start or is “buggy” on the “eight”? Running old games on Windows 7 or 8 can be made stable. To do this, right-click on the shortcut and call up the context menu. Pay attention to the “Properties” item. Launch and select the Compatibility tab.

This window provides the necessary parameters to help ensure compatibility on Windows 8 for legacy applications.

Running old programs on Windows 7 will be easier if you know for sure what OS your game was released for, then for the “Run the program in compatibility mode for...” option, select this operating system. According to statistics, 90% of applications that conflict with Windows 8 and 8.1 work without problems in compatibility with XP Service Pack 2 or 3. Select the desired option, click “Apply” and “OK”. If it doesn’t start the first time, try other options, don’t forget to click on the “Apply” button.

If you are wondering how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 7, then simply follow the above steps in reverse order. But that's only basic setup. The “Compatibility” tab in the application shortcut properties also offers advanced settings:

1. low color mode;
2. lowering display resolution;
3. Disable image scaling for modern screens.

Color reduction

Games and applications for legacy operating systems were created to run on computers whose monitors had an image resolution of 640X480 or 800X600 pixels. Modern video cards and monitors offer resolutions of up to 2000-3000 pixels. You need to configure Compatibility View settings. It is recommended to run such software in color. By activating the mode, you will run the program at the resolution for which it is intended. In the “Compatibility” tab, check the box next to the corresponding item and select the appropriate color option - 8 or 16 bits.

Using a different screen resolution

Old games were created for screens with a resolution of 640X480. This resolution is supported in modern monitor models, but is not used. Sometimes the Windows 7 compatibility problem lies precisely in the stretched image.

To run old games on the new OS, apply the “Use screen resolution 640X480” option

Disabling picture scaling

If a computer program or video game was intended to run on monitors 10-20 years ago, on new displays they are distorted - the image is stretched and blurred. To prevent this from happening, check the box next to “Disable image scaling...”. Now the picture looks correct.

Does it happen completely incompatible application Windows 7 Not often. It is not recommended to use compatibility mode for the following applications:

1. antiviruses;
2. garbage cleaners;
3. hard drive utilities;
4. tweakers.

This is a risk of compromising the stability of the OS.

Automatically apply settings

Windows contains special software that determines the appropriate correct launch mode for outdated applications and games. This good check compatibility with Windows 7, 8 or 10. To launch, use the context menu of the installer file. At the top, click on the line “Fix compatibility problems”.

A new window will open, offering two options: using recommended parameters and diagnostics

The first point is fine. Select: A new window will open showing suggested options for the program to start correctly. The “Test program” item will help you test the proposed parameters in action. Clicking the button will launch the application with these parameters. If OK, save the result. Now the application automatically launches as it should, with the necessary options.

The diagnostics item helps you select options for correct launch, based on problems with the application.

By editing the registry

You can enable Windows 7, 8 or 10 compatibility using the registry. This method is used in rare cases, as there are plenty of other methods. For curious users, to run the game in compatibility mode or a legacy application:

• Click on "Start".
• In the “Run” field, enter cmd and press Enter.
• In the window that opens command line type regedit and Enter.

The registry editor will start, find the branch HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ AppCompatFlags\ Layers

• Right-click on the empty space on the right half of the window and select “Create”.
• Here, choose to create a “String Parameter”.
• The parameter name is the full path to the executable file of the program for which you are setting up compatibility with Windows 7, for example.
• Now right-click on the parameter name and open “Edit”.
• In the “Value” line, enter one of the proposed options:

1. WIN7RTM - to install compatibility with the “seven”;
2. VISTARTM - for Vista;
3. VISTASP1 - Vista with Service Pack 1;
4. VISTASP2 - Vistas with Service Pack 2;
5. WINXPSP2 - for "expi" with service pack 2;
6. WINXPSP3 - "ex pi" with service pack 3;
7. WIN2000 - for Windows 2000;
8. NT4SP5 - for Windows NT version 4;
9. WIN98 - for Windows 98;
10. WIN95 - Windows 95.

• Do you intend to open the program in compatibility mode with administrator rights? After the selection above, add the word RUNASADMIN (separated by a space).
• Now find the branch HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers.
• Repeat steps 5 - 10 for this branch.
• Save and restart your computer.

Now you know how to enable compatibility mode on Windows 7, 8 10.

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If the computer is used by two or three or another number of users under separate accounts, it is recommended to apply program compatibility settings for “accounts”. Otherwise, if you boot under a different login, you will have to configure it from scratch. To do this, log into the OS as administrator account. Applying compatibility mode using the first method (in the shortcut menu), apply the “Change settings for all users” item. Now the program runs with the same characteristics on all accounts.

Users are faced with cases when outdated software does not start after the manipulations have been done and no program for game compatibility on Windows 7 helps. But this does not mean that there are no chances to use a “prehistoric” program or play a retro game. What to do? Answer - ! This is a program that creates an environment for running an OS within an OS. On Windows 10, you can run Windows 2000 or XP and install the application or toy of interest in a virtual machine in its native environment. Example virtual machine- Virtualbox program. This method is reliable and guarantees full compatibility. For trouble-free operation of the virtual machine, you need a PC with advanced technical characteristics.

If you use in your work operating system Windows 7, you may have already encountered a situation where, upon startup, old program it gives some error messages or does not start at all. And at the same time, you know for sure that earlier, when another version of Windows was installed on your computer (for example, Windows XP), this program worked fine for you.

What's the matter? And how can you get out of such a situation?

And the whole point is the incompatibility of the Windows 7 operating system and some programs written for early Windows versions. Those. If we run any program in Windows 7 that was originally written for Windows XP, then such a program may not start, but may close on its own or produce errors during operation.

In this case, very different messages can be issued. For example, this:

...or maybe any other.

To fix such problems, Windows 7 provides the ability to run such programs in special regime – compatibility mode with earlier versions of Windows.

Note!

- this mode can not use for antiviruses, as well as programs that work with disks or the registry (“tweakers”, “cleaners”, etc.), because this may damage the system or compromise its security.

- before using compatibility mode, check the update of the problematic program (or driver) on the manufacturer’s website, because there's always a chance it's already out a new version programs forWindows 7.

- Compatibility mode is not a panacea, and in some cases its use does not give positive results.

So, to run the program in this mode, right-click its icon and select Fixing compatibility issues:

Press the button Starting the program...(1) and see what happens.

If the program starts, great! If not, then it’s too early to get upset! In any case, click the Next button (2) and in the next window select the desired option:

If the program has started, then click the item Yes, save these settings for the program and in the next window select the item Close Troubleshooter:

If the program did not start (or again generated an error), then select the item No, try using other parameters:

After this (depending on what checkboxes were checked), we will be asked to answer some questions (select options):

Press this button again and check the functionality of the program. If the program starts, then close the compatibility mode (as described above), and if not, then we can repeat this procedure several more times, using other parameters (until the program starts or until all possible options have been used).

So we tried to run the program using the Compatibility Wizard.
It should be noted that the same actions can be done in another way (manually). If you wish, you can try to do this.

To do this, right-click on the problematic program icon and select Properties, then go to the tab Compatibility:

Here after checking the box Run the program in compatibility mode for: from the drop-down list (1) you can select the operating system in which this program worked fine.

Below, if necessary, you can set additional screen parameters (2):

Use 256 colors

This parameter limits the number of colors in the program to 256 (this number was used in older programs).

Use screen resolution 640×480

Run the program in a window with a resolution of 640x480. You can try turning on this option if the image in the program takes a very long time to appear (“slows”) or has unevenness.

Disable visuals

You can enable it if you have problems with the menu or program buttons.

Disable desktop composition

Disable transparency and other visual effects. Enable this if you have image problems or problems displaying windows.

Disable image scaling when high resolution screen

Enable this option if there are problems with the font size or size of the program window.

You can check the box even lower Run this program as administrator(3) if the program is blocked by User Account Control. This option will give the program full access to the system (some programs require this).

Button Change settings for all users will open another similar window, but the settings in it will be applied to all computer users. If you are the only user of your computer, then you do not need this button.

After all the settings, click Ok and try to run the program again.

That's all! I hope that you will now be able to run your favorite (but outdated) program on a modern operating system.

Program compatibility issue- this is always a problem, especially when a new operating room comes out with new excitement. This has been a nightmare for many Vista users, even forcing many Vista users to revert to XP to run their favorite programs and games. Looks like Microsoft has learned its lesson from Vista program compatibility, and they entered new Master to resolve issues compatibility in Windows 7. No more nightmares like this Windows 7,since Windows 7 has a troubleshooting tool program compatibility problems To launch the Windows Compatibility Troubleshooter wizard, type Action Center in the Start menu in the search box and press enter. Then, in the left pane of Action Center, click on the Troubleshooter link to launch the Troubleshooting Wizard. No more nightmares like this Windows 7, thanks to the Program Compatibility Wizard, which helps solve most Windows compatibility issues.

The first thing to do when you run the troubleshooter is Windows compatibility issues, is the choice between advanced and normal modes to go further. Although the master program compatibility starts working with Basic mode by default, which is good, open "Advanced options" at the bottom of the window to get more settings for troubleshooting.

In the window, check the “Advanced options” box. Once you are done, you can simply click the Next button and wait for Windows to create a list of programs after the scanning process is completed.

If the program is not listed in the generated list, select “No” from the list to continue. In the new window, click the browse button, and find the EXE file from the installed software (usually C:\Program Files).

Click the "Next" button and select the appropriate problem from the "Available" list. Windows will try to fix the error and will return the result after a few seconds. Again, if your troubles still exist, select the “Will try different settings” option and repeat the procedure with other possible problems.Alternatively, you can also select the shortcut - Method to solve your problem.

*Right click on the program installer and select “Properties”.

*Go to the Compatibility tab.

*Now, enable the “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” option and select the “Windows 7” operating system.

*Click the “Apply” button.

*Run the installer to install the software.

Programs created for Windows Vista, XP, DOS or other operating systems may be partially incompatible with the operating system Windows system 7. Read the information in the following sections of this document to learn how to open and use programs in Windows environment 7. If the program fails to start, it may not be compatible with Windows 7. For more information about program compatibility, visit the developer's website.

Troubleshoot program problems using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

In Windows 7, open the Program Compatibility Wizard and follow the onscreen instructions:

If a program's compatibility test still fails, the program may not be compatible with Windows 7. For more information, visit the program's developer's website.

Troubleshoot a program through the Start menu in Windows

If the program is listed in the Windows Start menu program list, try the following to resolve the issue:

The program is configured to run in compatibility mode.

Running programs in Windows XP Mode

Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC are Microsoft software that allows you to run programs in a simulated Windows XP environment.

Windows XP Mode can be run on a computer running Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate with support for virtualization technology at the hardware and BIOS level. To find out if your computer supports virtualization technology and to enable virtualization for your computer, follow these steps:

You bought yourself new computer with the Windows 8 operating system installed, or installed it instead of the proven Windows XP or 7. You begin to customize the Windows 8 start screen, looking for ways to return gadgets to the desktop. But with the installation of programs familiar to work, not everything is so smooth.

After launching some of them, an information window may appear "This program has compatibility issues". The thing is that not all developers remake utilities for new operating systems.

Of course there is a solution to this issue. You need to configure the program's compatibility mode with Windows 8. Thus, it will think that it runs in a more early version OS.

Please note that apply this mode Not worth using antivirus programs, archivers or system utilities. As a result, this may lead to their incorrect operation.

So, the first thing to do is go to the website of the utility developer and see if a new version is available for download. This needs to be done in the case when all the utility archives are stored on your computer, and after each reinstallation of the OS, you install programs using them.

If you downloaded the installation file from the developer’s website, but it is still not compatible with Window 8, then you need to do the following.

Automatic diagnostics

Windows has a built-in assistant that can identify and resolve compatibility issues.

To do this, right-click on the program shortcut on the desktop, or on its installation file, and select the context menu item "Fixing Compatibility Issues".

Next you are asked to select one of the diagnostic modes. When choosing "Use recommended settings"– the system will launch the utility in test mode and determine the appropriate parameters. Select the “Diagnostics...” mode if you can identify the compatibility problems that have arisen.

Click on the first item. In the next window, click "Check the program...", this process will be similar to the installation process. Then click Next.

If everything works, click “Yes, save these settings for the program”. If the problem is not resolved, select the second option. Then you can independently mark a compatibility problem and select the OS version in which the utility worked.

Manual troubleshooting

Right-click on the program shortcut on your desktop and select “Properties”.

Now go to the tab "Compatibility". Button "Run the Compatibility Troubleshooter" will allow you to complete all the steps from the previous paragraph. Check the box "Run the program in compatibility mode for" and select your operating system. If you have an older utility that uses limited colors, select "Low color mode".

If administrator rights are required for it to work, check the box "Run this program as an administrator"(if you are logged into the system under an account without administrator rights, this field will not be active).

To apply the configured settings to all users, click "Change settings for all users".

To save the compatibility settings, click OK.

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