Windows 7 Compatibility Mode

If you have trouble running applications designed for the previous versions of Windows, you can also use the Windows 7 Compatibility Mode to run them in Windows 7. Using the Compatibility Mode, you can configure an application to try to run in the version of Windows that it was written for.

To configure an application to run in Compatibility Mode, right-click the application's shortcut, .exe, or installation program, and select Properties. Next, select the Compatibility tab and you should see the option "Run this program in compatibility mode for:".

Note: Note that if Compatibility Mode is not supported for the application, the option will appear grayed out. The most likely reasons for this are that the application is designed for Windows 7 only, or that it is a 64-bit application.

Check the option and you will be able to select the versions of Windows to use to run the application.

Do not use Compatibility Mode for antivirus programs and disk utilities, as this may cause data loss.

You will also be able to modify various other settings such as colors, resolutions, themes, desktop composition (disabling this turns off Aero effects), and DPI settings. You will also be able to run the application as an administrator. If you are not sure which are the best settings to use, you can use the Program Compatibility application shipped with Windows 7. To invoke the Program Compatibility application, type the following command in the command window or the Run dialog.

Note: The Program Compatibility application can also be launched from Control Panel → Programs → Run Programs made for previous versions of Windows.

Follow through the wizard and it will guide you and provide recommendations for the settings to use.