TIPS FOR WINDOWS VISTA USERS
Courtesy www.SanDiegoBizMart.com |
Running Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 & XP software programs on
Windows VISTA using the Program Compatibility Wizard |
| Windows Vista was designed
with backward compatibility for software in mind, so that software designed to run
all the way back to Windows 95 should run just fine on Vista. However, some programs may
not run well or won't run at all. In that case, there are several remedies built into
Vista. |
Program Compatibility: What Is It? |
| It's a mode in Windows that lets you run
software programs written for earlier versions of Windows, such as Windows 95, 98, Me,
2000, and XP. Most software programs written for Windows XP will work in Windows Vista,
but some older software programs might not. If an older program doesn't run properly, use
the Program Compatibility Wizard to simulate earlier versions of Windows. If that
doesn't work, check with the program manufacturer (website) to see if there is an update
or patch for the program. |
Getting Older Software Programs to Run
in Windows Vista |
| There are 3 methods Vista uses to run older
Windows programs: Program Compatibility Assistant - Runs automatically
when it detects an older program having compatibility problems.
Program Compatibility Wizard -A tool you can run
manually on a program if you notice compatibility issues.
Program Compatibility Tab - More advanced users can also
change settings for an individual program manually by using that program's Compatibility
tab. Not recommended for most people. Use the Wizard instead.
Warning: Do not use the Program
Compatibility Wizard on older system programs, antivirus programs, or disk
utilities. This may cause data loss or create a security risk. |
Program Compatibility Wizard |
Running the Vista
Program Compatibility Wizard
1) Click on Start
2) Click on Control Panel
3) Click on Programs
4) Click on Use an older program with this version of Windows.
5) Then just follow the instructions in the Wizard.
Problems Installing a Program in Vista:
Insert the installation disc for the program. Open the
Compatibility Wizard. In the Wizard, browse to the program's setup file (Setup.exe,
Install.exe, etc.)
Microsoft Help: Troubleshooting a program
that does not run as expected
after it is installed
Compatibility Problems from Outdated
Drivers
Some compatibility problems arise from drivers. If an
older driver is causing problems, you'll need to update it manually.
Microsoft Help: Updating Drivers |
Program Compatibility Assistant |
| The Program Compatibility Assistant
detects known compatibility issues in older programs, and makes needed changes
automatically, so you don't have to do anything. It can automatically resolve some
conflicts, or automatically run it in a mode that simulates an earlier version of Windows.
After you have run an older program in Windows Vista, it will notifiy you if there is a
problem and will offer to fix it the next time you run the program. No changes are made to
the program itself. If the compatibility issue is serious, the Program Compatibility
Assistant might give you a warning you or block the program from running at all. If that
occurs, you'll be given the option to check online for a solution. You can not run this
program yourself, but you can run the Program Compatibility Wizard on a program or
setup file if a program won't work or install correctly. Microsoft Help: Additional Information |
Compatibility Tab:
Changing Compatibility Settings Manually |
| To change compatibility settings manually
for a program: 1) Right-click the program's icon.
2) Click Properties.
3) Click the Compatibility tab.
Setting: Compatibility mode
Runs the program using settings from a previous version
of Windows. Try this setting if you know the program is designed for (or worked in) a
specific previous version of Windows.
Setting: Run in 256 colors
Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older
programs are designed to use fewer colors.
Setting: Run in 640 × 480
Runs the program in a smaller-sized window. Try this setting
if the graphical user interface appears jagged or is rendered improperly.
Microsoft Help: Additional Settings and Descriptions
And more at...
MICROSOFT
WINDOWS VISTA: Software Installation, Troubleshooting & Compatibility
NOTE: The offering
of this information is not a guarantee that the above
will work on every software not designated as compatible with VISTA. |
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