Programs Run in Windows
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5/14/13
Make older programs run in this version of Windows
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Make older programs run in this version of Windows
Most programs written for Windows XP also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, use the Program Compatibility Wizard to change the compatibility settings for the program. To change settings for a program manually, use the individual program's Compatibility tab. If changing the settings does not fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer's website to see if there is an update for the program.
Applies to Windows Vista
See also
Wha t is p r o g r a m co mp a tib ility? Pr o g r a m Co mp a tib ility As s is ta nt: fr eq uently a s ked q ues tio ns Up d a te a d r iver fo r ha r d wa r e tha t is n't wo r king p r o p er ly Find Wind o ws -co mp a tib le p r o g r a ms
Warning
Do not use the Program Compatibility Wizard on older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because it might cause data loss or create a security risk.
Run the Program Compatibility Wizard 1. Open the Program Compatibility Wizard by clicking the Start button then clicking Use an older program with this version of Windows. 2. Follow the instructions in the wizard. If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the wizard, browse to the program's setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The wizard is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension. To change compatibility settings manually for a program, right-click the icon for the program, click Properties, and then click the Compatibility tab. , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and
Setting
Description
Compatibility mode
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.
Run in 256 colors
Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs are designed to use fewer colors.
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Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution
Make older programs run in this version of Windows
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 is in use. Try this setting if large-scale fonts are interfering with the appearance of the program. For more information, see M a ke the text o n yo ur s cr een la r g er o r s ma ller and Wa ys to imp r o ve d is p la y q ua lity .
Privilege level
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.
Show settings for all users
Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this computer.
Note
To find out if your programs (or programs you plan to buy) are compatible with Windows Vista, go online to the Wind o ws Vis ta Co mp a tib ility Center . This website contains a comprehensive list of programs and devices that work with Windows Vista.
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Make older programs run in this version of Windows
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Make older programs run in this version of Windows
M EET WINDOWS In stallation
DOWNL OA D & SH OP
H OW-T O
SUP P ORT A pps & Win dow s Store Web & n etw orkin g Em ail & c om m u n ic ation
Sign in
T ou c h & searc h
P erson alization
Sec u rity & ac c ou n ts
A ds by Brow s e t o S a ve
Make older programs run in this version of Windows
Most programs written for Windows XP also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, use the Program Compatibility Wizard to change the compatibility settings for the program. To change settings for a program manually, use the individual program's Compatibility tab. If changing the settings does not fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer's website to see if there is an update for the program.
Applies to Windows Vista
See also
Wha t is p r o g r a m co mp a tib ility? Pr o g r a m Co mp a tib ility As s is ta nt: fr eq uently a s ked q ues tio ns Up d a te a d r iver fo r ha r d wa r e tha t is n't wo r king p r o p er ly Find Wind o ws -co mp a tib le p r o g r a ms
Warning
Do not use the Program Compatibility Wizard on older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because it might cause data loss or create a security risk.
Run the Program Compatibility Wizard 1. Open the Program Compatibility Wizard by clicking the Start button then clicking Use an older program with this version of Windows. 2. Follow the instructions in the wizard. If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the wizard, browse to the program's setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The wizard is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension. To change compatibility settings manually for a program, right-click the icon for the program, click Properties, and then click the Compatibility tab. , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and
Setting
Description
Compatibility mode
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.
Run in 256 colors
Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs are designed to use fewer colors.
windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows-vista/make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-windows
1/3
5/14/13
Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution
Make older programs run in this version of Windows
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 is in use. Try this setting if large-scale fonts are interfering with the appearance of the program. For more information, see M a ke the text o n yo ur s cr een la r g er o r s ma ller and Wa ys to imp r o ve d is p la y q ua lity .
Privilege level
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.
Show settings for all users
Lets you choose settings that will apply to all users on this computer.
Note
To find out if your programs (or programs you plan to buy) are compatible with Windows Vista, go online to the Wind o ws Vis ta Co mp a tib ility Center . This website contains a comprehensive list of programs and devices that work with Windows Vista.
Like us on Facebook
Stay in touch with Windows.
Share this page
Get the word out. Share this page with your friends and family.
Was this page helpful?
Your feedback helps improve this site.
Like
13m
Yes
Somewhat
No
A ds by Brow s e t o S a ve
windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows-vista/make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-windows
2/3
5/14/13
Make older programs run in this version of Windows
Visit ou r f rien ds
In f o f or
P rodu c ts
Frequ en t searc h es
Office Xbox Surface Skype Windows Phone Bing
Dev elopers Design ers Sm all bu sin ess En terprise Stu den ts
Win dow s 8 Win dow s RT In tern et Explorer SkyDriv e Ou tlook. c om Win dow s 7 Win dow s Vista Win dow s XP H otm ail M essen ger M ic rosof t Sec u rity Essen tials
Upgrade Win dow s M ic rosof t ac c ou n t Start sc reen A pp Win dow s Store On lin e storage In tern et Explorer 10 Win dow s 8 system requ irem en ts Win dow s Def en der Free dow n loads
P opu lar dow n loads Win dow s dow n loads Win dow s th em es Wallpapers Free an tiv iru s P h oto Gallery M ov ie M aker L an gu age pac ks Win dow s serv ic e pac ks Win dow s P rodu c t Gu ide
Su pport Keep in tou c h T h e Win dow s Blog Win dow s n ew sletter Brow se su pport by c ategory Brow se su pport by produ c t C on tac t su pport M ic rosof t C om m u n ity
H ello f rom Seattle.
A u stralia
Disc laim ers
T erm s of Use
T radem arks
P riv ac y & C ookies
© 2013 M ic rosof t
windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows-vista/make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-windows
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