If you’re using Windows 7, there’s a good chance that you’re using program compatibility mode. Program compatibility mode helps to keep your computer running smoothly by allowing certain programs to run in an alternate window or even in a different part of the screen. This can help you save time and energy when working on important tasks, and it can also help you avoid potential problems. To use program compatibility mode in Windows 7, open the Control Panel and click on the Programs button. Then, select the program that you want to use as an alternate window or screen. If the program is not listed under Programs, then you need to search for it in the Start Menu or within the context menu of a program. Once you’ve found the program, select its properties and click on the Compatibility tab. On this tab, you’ll find information about how this program works with other programs. You’ll also be able to see which programs have issues running in this mode and how best to solve them. If there are any problems with your computer that cannot be solved with this information, then please contact your computer manufacturer for assistance.
Program Compatibility Assistant
Program Compatibility is a mode that allows you to run programs that were written for earlier versions of Windows. The Program Compatibility Assistant detects compatibility issues and allows you to reinstall using the recommended settings. For example we got this error trying to install a music interface device driver for home recording.
After we closed out of the error, the Program Compatibility Assistant came up advising that the program didn’t install correctly. To try to install it again select Reinstall using recommended settings.
The Compatibility Assistant went through and fixed the issue and we were able to install the driver. The problem was the driver was designed for Vista and the the assistant automatically select the correct compatibility mode for us to install it.
Sometimes you might get a screen similar to this example where Virtual PC 2007 isn’t compatible with Windows 7 and you can check for solutions online.
After checking for solutions online, we’re shown that there is an update that might solve the issue.
Which points us to the Microsoft site to download Virtual PC 2007 SP1.
Note: Sometimes a program does install correctly and Program Compatibility Assistant thinks it didn’t. There are also times when you cancel an installation half way through and it pops up. If you’re an Admin and tired of seeing it pop up because you know what you’re doing, check out our article on how to disable program compatibility assistant in Windows 7 and Vista.
Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
There might be times when Program Compatibility Assistant can’t find a solution, or a program installs fine, but doesn’t work the way it should. In that case you’ll need to troubleshoot the issue. Right-click on the program icon from the Start Menu or in many programs the shortcut icon and select Troubleshoot compatibility.
Windows will detect any issues with the program and you can try to run it with the recommended settings, or go through the troubleshooting wizard. For this part of our example we’ll select Try recommended settings.
This option allows us to test run the program to see if the new compatibility settings fix the issue. Click on Start the program to begin testing it out. After testing the program and determining if the settings work or not click on Next.
If the program is running correctly you can save the settings and it will continue to run with those settings. If it didn’t work properly, you can try using different settings or report the problem to Microsoft and check for an online solution.
If you selected No, try again using different settings it will bring up the troubleshooter where you can specify the issues you’re having with the program.
Depending what you check in the screen above, you’ll be presented with other options for what is not working correctly. Where in this example it shows different display problems.
New settings are applied to the program and you can try running it again.
If none of the compatibility settings work for the program, you’re prompted to to send a generated problem report to Microsoft.
Manually Select Compatibility
Of course if you don’t want to deal with the Program Compatibility troubleshooter, you can go in and manually select Compatibility Mode. Right-click the program icon and select Properties.
Then click the Compatibility tab then check the box Run this program in compatibility for and select the version of Windows from the dropdown. Now it will always run the program in Compatibility Mode for the version of Windows you selected.
Conclusion
Hopefully running the program in an earlier version of Windows helps solve the problems you’re experiencing. Each program is different so the troubleshooting steps will vary. Most programs written for Vista should work in Windows 7, but not all of them. If you’re having problems with a program not working correctly on Windows 7 and have gone through the Compatibility Mode troubleshooter, your best bet is do search the developers website for a newer version or in their forums.
