Most programs created for earlier versions of Windows will work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. Running the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter should automatically detect and fix some of the most common issues. If that doesn’t work, try changing the settings manually. The following table should help you figure out which setting to adjust.
- Enter the name of the program in the search box on the taskbar, press and hold (or right-click) the search result, and then select Open file location.
- Press and hold (or right-click) the program, select Properties, and then select the Compatibility tab.
- First, select Run compatibility troubleshooter to run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. (Note that DPI scaling issues won’t be resolved with the troubleshooter, so refer to the table below for other options.)
- If you’re still experiencing compatibility problems, adjust one or more of the following settings and select OK when you’re done.
Setting | Description |
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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 with) a specific version of Windows. |
Reduced color mode | Uses a limited set of colors in the program. Some older programs are designed to use fewer colors. |
Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution | Try this setting if the graphics for the program appear jagged or are rendered improperly. |
Change high DPI settings | If your program doesn’t appear correctly on a PC with a high-DPI display (appearing blurry, or appearing too big or too small), select Change high DPI settings, and then try one of the following options in the Properties dialog box: Choose which DPI to use
Change the application's high-DPI scaling mode In the High DPI scaling override area, select the Override high DPI scaling behavior check box, and then try one of the following options:
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Run this program as an administrator | Some programs require administrator privileges to run properly. If you aren't signed in to your PC as an administrator, this option is unavailable. |
Change settings for all users | Apply the settings for that program to all accounts on the PC, and select |