Run Older Programs in Compatibility Mode in Windows 11/10.
Like any other software, the Windows operating system is constantly updated to new versions. While transitions maintain software compatibility during direct updates, the situation has become increasingly dire in several versions.
Programs and games that worked great on your Windows XP PC no longer even work on Windows 11, even though the hardware is actually more powerful. Some applications may start, but with visual problems, displaying strange colors or glitches.
Luckily, you don’t have to completely downgrade your computer to the Stone Age just to play an old game on it. Thanks to a Windows feature called “compatibility mode”, you can run this particular program with old settings that match the performance of the previous version of Windows. Let’s find out how.
What Is Compatibility Mode?
The reason old programs don’t work on newer versions of Windows is because the underlying architecture has changed. Modern operating systems manage memory differently, display more colors, and may even have changed the I / O code.
To enable legacy software to run on these versions, Microsoft introduced a compatibility mode. Using this, one can mimic the environment provided by an older version of Windows, allowing older programs to function normally.
However, keep in mind that this feature is not a perfect recreation of legacy versions, but a close approximation. It is of course possible that some programs will not work correctly even in compatibility mode, although such cases are rare.
Running a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 11/10
The Compatibility Mode feature is identical in both Windows 10 and 11. The only difference in Windows 11 is the new context menu view. In addition, these instructions will allow you to apply compatibility mode to the program of your choice on both versions of Windows.
To enable Compatibility Mode for a program, right-click its executable file and select Properties.
In Windows 11, this drop-down menu will look slightly different, but it still has a Properties option that you can select.
A properties window will open displaying information about the program, as well as various other tabs with their own settings. Click on the Compatibility tab.
You now have two options on this tab. You can run the compatibility troubleshooter or set the mode manually. You will likely have to go manually, but try the troubleshooter first.
Using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
Once the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter opens, you are again presented with two options. You can try the recommended settings or the troubleshooter. If the first option prevents you from starting the program correctly, choose the second to actually diagnose the problems.
The troubleshooter will prompt you to select the problems you are experiencing when launching the application. Based on this information, Windows will select the appropriate compatibility settings for you.
You can test the new settings before applying them to the program using the “Check program …” button. After exiting the application, click Next.
If the program worked correctly, select Yes, these are the settings for this program. Otherwise, you can choose No, try again with different settings to try to run the program with different settings. Just click Cancel if you want to close the troubleshooter without saving your settings.
Install manually
Setting compatibility mode manually is actually less tedious than using a troubleshooter. Select the Run this program in compatibility mode for check box and select the operating system you want from the list. If you are unsure which version of Windows can run the program correctly, upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 95.
That’s all. You can turn on things like the reduced color mode or change the high resolution settings if you’re experiencing color or font issues. Apply after every change and test the program to see what works.
You can usually run any old program in one of the compatibility modes. If that still doesn’t work, the problem might be the correct version of DirectX or a missing DLL.
Can You Run Old Programs With Compatibility Mode in Windows 11/10?
Both Windows 10 and 11 have the option to set compatibility mode for each individual program. This way, you can run applications designed for older versions of Windows simply by selecting the correct mode from the list.
Compatibility Mode can also be used to use legacy color settings or lower DPI settings if you can run the program but get visual artifacts. This is especially useful for playing older video games on a modern system.
In very rare cases, changing the compatibility mode is not enough to run an older program. This is because this feature is not a perfect recreation of older operating systems, and some things, such as drivers, may still be different. If this is the case, try examining the system requirements of the related software and installing any missing components before trying again.
Run Older Programs in Compatibility Mode in Windows 11/10
Run Older Programs in Compatibility Mode in Windows 11/10