Without a doubt, Windows 10 gives the impression of a radically new operating system - which is just one version number, which differs from Windows 7 by three digits. And all the preinstalled applications are new "universal" ones, not traditional desktop ones. However, those who need traditional desktop software need not worry. Don't be intimidated by the unfamiliar design of Windows 10: if an app worked on Windows 7, it will almost certainly work on Windows 10.

Without a doubt, Windows 10 gives the impression of a radically new operating system - which is just one version number, which differs from Windows 7 by three digits. And all the preinstalled applications are new "universal" ones, not traditional desktop ones. However, those who need traditional desktop software need not worry. Don't be intimidated by the unfamiliar design of Windows 10: if an app worked on Windows 7, it will almost certainly work on Windows 10.

Yes, Windows 10 can run traditional desktop programs. The internal structure of Windows 10 is very similar to Windows 8, and that, in turn, to Windows 7. The application security model and driver architecture have not changed radically - there is no such difference as between Windows XP and Windows Vista or Windows 7. In other words, if an application runs on Windows 7 or 8, it will almost certainly work on Windows 10. Yes, there is a completely new application model in Windows 10, but traditional desktop programs can run in parallel with these new "universal" applications.

What is Compatibility Mode?

Windows 10 Program Compatibility Mode allows you to run software on your computer that only worked fine on previous versions of Windows, and on the latest OS, the program does not start or does not work properly.

Many Windows users do not even imagine what a full-fledged ability to use compatibility mode in Widows 10 is, but all because they simply do not want to understand some of the nuances of operating systems, which leads to ignorance of what, in theory, they should know every user. Since it is the "compatibility mode" that allows you to run the software that you used on earlier versions of Windows, but on Windows 10 you cannot do this. It is for this reason that today I will talk about how you can manually launch the compatibility mode for any program that you have installed and does not want to fully function.

By default, after program crashes, Windows 10 offers to automatically enable compatibility mode, but only in some of them and not always. Manual activation of the compatibility mode, which was previously (in previous OS) performed through the properties of the program or its shortcut, is now available not for all shortcuts and sometimes you need to use a special tool for this.

Automatic detection of program compatibility settings

Windows 10 has a built-in utility for detecting the automatic mode. For the utility to determine the mode, it is necessary to run the program for execution with this utility. To do this, right-click on an application or shortcut and select "Fix Compatibility Issues" from the list.

The utility will launch the application by itself and try to identify startup problems. You also need to select the "Use recommended parameters" diagnostic mode.

Then in the window you will see the automatically set parameters for launching. Before proceeding, run the program and check the functionality by clicking on the "Check program ..." button. The application will launch. After checking the functionality, click the "Next" button.

If the application works as expected and the problem does not occur again, click the "Yes, save these settings for the program" button. The utility will apply them to run in this mode for subsequent launches.

Launching compatibility mode through "Program properties"

It is very easy to enable compatibility mode through the properties of a program or shortcut. To do this, right-click on the shortcut or executable file of the program, select "Properties" and select "Compatibility". True, not with every file or shortcut you will be able to do this.

You will also need to set the compatibility mode options: specify the Windows version in which the program started without errors. You can enable the launch of the program as an administrator or in a mode of lower screen resolution and reduced color (for very old programs). Then it will remain to apply the made settings. The next time the program will be launched with the parameters already changed.

Launching Compatibility Mode via Troubleshoot

To get started, you need to run the Windows 10 Run Programs That Target Previous Versions of Windows special troubleshooter. It is very easy to find it through the "Search the Internet and Windows".

The Windows 10 Software and Legacy Compatibility app will now launch. Please note that it is better to run everything with administrator rights, which will give you the ability to apply the used parameters even to those folders that have limited user access. It remains only to click on "Next":

In the newly opened window, you need to select the program for which the launch with compatibility will be performed. If the program that you want to run is not in the general list, then select the item "Not in the list" and click on "Next". After that, just set the path to the exe-file of the program that was not in the general list.

Once you select a program to run, you will be prompted to select a diagnostic mode. In a new window, choose from the list of proposed problems the one that is most suitable: "The program worked in previous versions of Windows, but it does not install or does not start now."

It remains only to choose under which operating system to launch the software and click on "Next". The final step to set the program compatibility mode is to click on "Check program"

Disable Compatibility Mode in Windows 10

Windows 10 laptop / computer compatibility mode solves problems with launching applications or drivers. You do not use this function, you can turn it off. This will increase the performance of your PC a little.

There are several options to disable Program Compatibility Mode in Windows 10: through Group Policy, Local Services, and Administration. These settings should also be disabled for those for whom they cause a malfunction, annoying constantly pop-up window, or even interfering with the correct installation of programs.

Via the Program Compatibility Assistant Service

With the combination Win +R call the line Execute, we introduce services.msc and click "OK". With this command services.msc you launch the service control window. Scroll down the list and find Program Compatibility Assistant in the list. Right-click on this service and select "Stop" from the context list. This operation allows you to stop the service until the next restart of Windows 10.

A window will open for a while notifying you of an attempt to stop this service. If everything went well, "In Progress" will disappear next to the service name. This means that it is stopped.

If you want to completely disable the Compatibility Assistant Service, then right-click on it. Choose Properties, in the startup type, select Disabled, and in the Stop state in order not to restart.

The Assistant Service is now completely stopped. To start this Service, if necessary for some program, you can do everything in the reverse order.

Through the Local Group Policy Editor

We call the command again Execute a combination Win +R and insert the command gpedit.msc... Walking the path Computer Configuration - Administrative Templates - Windows Components - Application Compatibility

On the right side of the window, find "Disable Program Compatibility Assistant", right-click on the option Change, after which we put a "black mark" in front of the word Disabled and confirm our actions. You will only have to restart the device for the changes to take effect.

Via Operating System Configurations

Again, we will use the command we are already familiar with Execute which can be easily opened by typing Win +R. We write there msconfig and in the window that opens, click on the tab Services. In the list that appears, we are looking for the one we need Service Program Compatibility Assistant. It remains only to check the box and confirm your action.

This service will now be disabled. True, I have had cases when after restarting the operating system, it automatically turned on.

Personally, I mainly use those programs that are written specifically for Windows 10. But sometimes you have to connect old devices. Therefore, the skills of working on enabling and disabling compatibility were very useful to me. Hope my advice will help someone too.

Programs created for Windows Vista, XP, DOS, or other operating systems may be partially incompatible with the Windows 7 operating system. Read the information in the following sections of this document to learn how to open and use programs in a Windows 7 environment. program, it may be incompatible with Windows 7. For more information on program compatibility, visit the developer's website.

Troubleshoot a program using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

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

If the compatibility test result for a program is still negative, it is possible that the program is not compatible with Windows 7. For more information, see the program developer's website.

Troubleshoot a program from the Windows Start menu

If the program is listed in the Windows Start Menu Programs, try the following troubleshooting steps:

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 programs to run in a simulated Windows XP environment.

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

If you are faced with a problem when an outdated application refuses to work in the new operating system from Microsoft, use the compatibility mode in Windows 10 to run it. This article will teach you how to run programs in the top ten and old games that refuse to work in the environment of the latest OS, crash or function with errors.

Windows 10 prompts you to activate Compatibility Mode when launching apps whose previous work session crashed or was interrupted due to an error or process terminated. But this is not done in all cases.

Manually activating Compatibility Mode through the properties of a shortcut or executable file is not always available, and sometimes requires running a troubleshooting tool. Let's look at both methods, and also figure out how to turn off Compatibility Mode in Windows 10.

Turn on the mode in the properties of the shortcut of the executable file

The first way to activate Compatibility Mode in Windows 10 is by using the properties of the exe file or application shortcut.

1. To do this, call the "Properties" of the target object using the context menu or the "Alt + Enter" key combination.
2. Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
3. In the "Compatibility Mode" section, check the box next to its name.
4. Open the drop-down menu and select the version of the operating system for which the application is intended or in which it works without failures.

Disable compatibility by removing the checkmark next to the only option in the "Compatibility Mode" section.

When using applications created for XP, released about 10 years ago, you can try to run the program at a lower resolution, using 256 colors or without visual design. You can also tell the operating system that this application should be launched as administrator every time in order to save time required to call the context menu of the file to select the appropriate launch mode.

Turn on the mode through troubleshooting

In order to start compatibility mode, you need to call the troubleshooting tool, which in the top ten is called "Executing programs designed for other versions of Windows." You can call the tool through the Troubleshoot applet, which is one of the last in the Control Panel when its elements are rendered as icons, or through the search bar.

The application should be run with administrator privileges. This will allow you to detect additional factors causing problems in the operation of the program.

After waiting a little, we will see a list of software products installed on the PC, in which you should select the problematic program.

If there is no target utility in the list, select the first item "Not in the list", click "Next", and then specify the path to the executable file.

After selecting an application or specifying the path to its launch file, you will be prompted to select the diagnostic mode. To select a specific version of Windows, specify the second mode "Program Diagnostics", and to automatically determine a compatible version of the operating system, you should stop at the first point.

After choosing the edition of the operating system, a window will appear with options for the problems that were noticed during the operation of the application in the top ten.

If you know in which version of the operating system the application worked properly, indicate it or choose “I don’t know”.

In the next dialog, click "Check the program" in order to test whether it functions during startup with the specified parameters. If testing is completed successfully, click "Next".

For the subsequent call of the software with the specified parameters, select the first item in the last window, save the specified settings and close the window.

After looking for additional issues, close the tool or view more information about the issue.

If the application refused to work in compatibility mode for the selected Windows, try a different OS edition or use the recommended settings. As a last resort, you can always ask for help in resolving your issues by sending a report about the problem to Microsoft representatives or looking for an answer on the forums.

Designed to install and run applications or drivers written for earlier OS versions such as Windows Vista, Windows XP, etc.

It is recommended to check the manufacturer's website for software or driver updates first. If versions for Windows 7 no, you can try to install and run a program (or driver) designed for Windows Vista or Windows XP in compatibility mode. I'll make a reservation right away that a program launched in this way may work incorrectly or not work at all, but for lack of better options, we try to use this one.

Attention! Do not use compatibility mode for system programs such as: antivirus software, disk utilities, tweakers, cleaners, etc., this may damage the system.

Install or run an application using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

Click on the application shortcut or on the installation file (setup.exe, install.exe, etc.) with the right mouse button and select " Fixes compatibility issues".

Windows 7 compatibility mode designed to install and run applications or drivers written for earlier OS versions, such as Windows Vista, Windows XP, etc.

It is recommended to check the manufacturer's website for software or driver updates first. If there is no version for Windows 7, you can try installing and running a program (or driver) designed for Windows Vista or Windows XP in compatibility mode. I'll make a reservation right away that a program launched in this way may work incorrectly or not work at all, but for lack of better options, we try to use this one.

Attention! Do not use compatibility mode for system programs such as: antivirus software, disk utilities, tweakers, cleaners, etc., this may damage the system.

Install or run an application using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

Fixes compatibility issues":

Select " Diagnostics of the program":

Select the Windows version in which the program was running:

Click " Launching the program"and make sure the program works, then" Further":

If the app works, select " Yes, save these parameters for the program".

If the error persists, press " No, try using other parameters".

Changing Compatibility Settings Manually

Click on the application shortcut or on the installation file (setup.exe, install.exe, etc.) with the right mouse button and select " Properties":

Go to the " Compatibility".

Note: for files with the MSI extension, only launch in compatibility mode with the previous version of Windows is available.

Run the program in compatibility mode. Enable this option if you know that the program is designed for one or another previous version of Windows (or worked in it):

Install options(if nessesary):

Note: does not work for 64-bit applications.

Run this program as administrator. Some programs require administrator rights to work properly. This option is available only when logged in with an administrator account.

Change settings for all users. Select options that will be applied to all users of this computer.

In this article, I described how using Windows 7 compatibility mode Install an application or driver written for earlier OS versions.

Compatibility mode is not a panacea. To search for other solutions, I invite you to visit our forum, we are always glad to see you.