Running Programs in Compatibility Mode


Some older programs, especially games , do not run correctly under Windows Vista, XP, or 2003. Windows XP introduced a new feature called compatibility mode that emulates previous versions of Windows-Windows 2000, NT 4.0, Me, 98, and 95. Windows Vista includes the Program Compatibility Wizard to simulate earlier Windows environments.

Compatibility mode can also set the display to the lower resolutions that were standard several years ago. If you have a program that used to run well but balks at Windows Vista, compatibility mode may fix the problem.

Caution  

You should not use compatibility mode with programs that are designed specifically for earlier versions of Windows. For example, a virus checker that is designed for use with Windows 95 should not be run with Windows Vista.

Start the Program Compatibility Wizard by choosing Start All Programs Accessories Program Compatibility Wizard. The wizard guides you through selecting and picking settings for the program you want to run. Click Next and then select how you want the program set up. Figure 2-10 shows the first screen of the Program Compatibility Wizard. Click Next between the wizard pages to complete the Program Compatibility Wizard.

image from book
Figure 2-10: Use the Program Compatibility Wizard to help run older Windows programs.

After you select the program to run, select the operating system recommended for this program. The Program Compatibility Wizard provides the following operating system modes:

  • Windows 95

  • Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5

  • Windows 98

  • Windows Me

  • Windows 2000

  • Windows XP with Service Pack 2

The next Program Compatibility Wizard screen lets you select display settings for the program, including the number of colors, screen resolution, visual themes, and so forth. Figure 2-11 shows this screen.

image from book
Figure 2-11: Select display settings for the program you want to run in compatibility mode.

You are then asked if the program requires administrator privileges. If so, select Run This Program As An Administrator and be prepared to enter an administrator password to run the program. To finish, click Next to test how well the program runs in compatibility mode.




Windows Vista. The Complete Reference
Windows Vista: The Complete Reference (Complete Reference Series)
ISBN: 0072263768
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 296

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