Other Program Compatibility Issues

While running Windows 7, you might decide to install an older program or game. However, Windows 7 might not install the program or might not run the program correctly once installed. Windows 7 sports a new version of the Program Compatibility Wizard to help work around this kind of incompatibility.

The Program Compatibility Wizard is designed to change the compatibility of a certain program and allow that program to work in Windows 7. To open and use this wizard, follow these instructions:

1. Click Start, Control Panel and type Program Compatibility in the Search box at the top of the screen.
2. In the results pane, click the Run Programs Made for Previous Versions of Windows link.
3. Control Panel starts the Program Compatibility Wizard. If you're not logged in as Administrator, click Advanced, click Run As Administrator, enter the password, and then click Next.
4. Windows 7 scans your computer for potentially incompatible programs and displays a list. Select your desired program and click Next.
5. In the Select Troubleshooting Option screen, click Troubleshoot Program.
6. The wizard presents a list of problems you might have encountered. Select The Program Worked in Earlier Versions of Windows But Won't Install or Run Now. You can also select any of the other options listed, which might include problems displaying the program or getting permissions. Click Next.
7. The wizard asks you what prior version of Windows supported the program. Make a selection and click Next.
8. You have chosen all the basic options, so the wizard now asks you to test the program to make sure that it works correctly. Click Start the Program, and then return to the wizard and click Next.
9. After testing is completed, you are asked whether you want to save these settings, change the current settings, or report the problem to Microsoft and check for a solution online.

Tip If your program doesn't appear in the list, click Not Listed, click Next, and then click Browse to locate the program on your hard disk, external drive, or CD or DVD.

A new feature in Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions is the capability to run legacy programs in Windows XP Mode. This is a virtual environment within Windows 7 that runs Windows XP with SP 3, enabling you to run all those Windows XP-based programs you can't live without.

You can learn more about Windows XP Mode by visiting www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/features/default.aspx.