Microsoft
Compatibility Wizard for Windows 10
You bit the bullet and upgraded your old Windows 7 or 8 computer but you have some old programs that you really enjoyed. You may have some older programs tucked away on DVDs that worked great on your Windows 7 or even your old Vista or XP. Yes, that old! There is a chance you can still use those old programs on your new version of Windows 10 using the compatibility wizard. Basically, you are telling a fib to the program that you aren’t actually running Windows 10 but rather an older operating system. How do you access the compatibility Wizard and use it?
Install the program. Does it work correctly? No? Then type the search box on your Taskbar for [compatibility] and your option will be to [run programs made from previous versions of Windows]. Go ahead and run the Wizard. You can also go to [Control Panel] and access the wizard in Troubleshooting. Running the Wizard in this fashion will scan your computer for all programs and give you a list. Select the program you want to run and follow the instructions.
A better way to run the wizard is to locate the programs executable BEFORE you do the installation. Locate the .exe file for the application in File Explorer. This also works if you are installing from a DVD. If it is a program that you have downloaded is a far easier method.
- right click on the executable (.exe) of the program
- left click on [properties]
- left click on the [compatibility] tab
- Using the drop down arrow, select the operating system that the program was intended for or that you were able to use the program successfully with.
- DO NOT select XP service pack 2. If a program worked well in XP, please select service pack 3.
- Use the drop down arrow and select the last know operating system that the program worked well for or was designed for.
- [apply] [ok]
- now installed the program as you normally would.
- You should find that the program will likely run as it was intended by the designer.
