How to Run Old Software in Compatibility Mode on Windows 11

If an app is refusing to unfastened oregon enactment arsenic expected, effort moving it successful Windows 11’s compatibility mode. This mode fixes immoderate compatibility issues, and I’ll amusement you however to usage it for your installed programs.

What Is Compatibility Mode?

Compatibility mode is simply a Windows 11 diagnostic that simulates older Windows versions for your programs. This allows you to tally aged bundle connected your Windows 11 machine. Since the diagnostic is built into the operating system, you don’t person to download oregon instal thing to usage it.

Note that the diagnostic doesn’t alteration your apps successful immoderate way. Instead, it conscionable offers an older Windows mentation situation for your apps to enactment in. This mode is app-specific, meaning it’s lone applied to the apps you choose. Your different apps proceed to enactment extracurricular of this mode.

When Should You Use Compatibility Mode?

If you’re experiencing compatibility issues with your apps oregon games, effort utilizing compatibility mode to hole those issues. Some communal problems see an app refusing to motorboat oregon displaying unsupported errors, wherever compatibility mode tin help.

If definite features person stopped moving successful your apps, the mode tin assistance hole them. Also, if your programme was primitively made for an older Windows version, it makes consciousness to tally it nether that Windows environment.

How to Launch a Program successful Compatibility Mode

Running a programme successful Windows 11’s compatibility mode is arsenic casual arsenic choosing a paper option. To bash that, find your program’s shortcut. If your program’s shortcut isn’t connected your desktop, unfastened Windows Search (press Windows+S), benignant your program’s name, and prime "Open File Location" connected the close pane.

Right-click your app oregon game’s icon and take "Properties." On the unfastened window, entree the "Compatibility" tab. Here, crook connected the "Run This Program successful Compatibility Mode For" option. From the drop-down menu, prime the Windows mentation nether which you privation to motorboat your program. Your options are Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Vista (Service Pack 1), and Windows Vista (Service Pack 2).

Optionally, you tin configure different compatibility options connected the aforesaid window. Those options are:

• Reduced Color Mode: This mode helps usage 16-bit colour schemes for aged programs.
• Run successful 640 x 480 Screen Resolution: This reduces the surface solution for precise aged apps and games.
• Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: This enactment fixes show show issues.

After making changes, astatine the bottommost of the window, click "Apply" followed by "OK."

To motorboat your programme successful compatibility mode, double-click the program’s shortcut. It volition tally according to the settings you’ve configured above. In the future, to disable compatibility mode, right-click your programme and take "Properties." Access the "Compatibility" tab and crook disconnected "Run This Program successful Compatibility Mode For." Then, take "Apply" followed by "OK."

What if Your Program Doesn't Work successful Compatibility Mode?

If your app oregon crippled won’t enactment adjacent aft enabling compatibility mode, you person a fewer ways to resoluteness the problem.

Use the Compatibility Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has a compatibility troubleshooter that allows you to find and hole compatibility issues with your programs. You don’t person to configure immoderate options manually, arsenic this instrumentality does that for you. To usage it, right-click your app oregon crippled and take Show More Options > Troubleshoot Compatibility. If you don’t spot that option, right-click your programme and take "Properties." Open the "Compatibility" tab and prime "Run Compatibility Troubleshooter."

Wait portion Windows 11 finds and fixes compatibility issues with your program.

Use a Virtual Machine

If you’re trying to usage an highly aged app oregon game, you’re amended disconnected moving it successful a virtual machine. In this case, you’ll usage Windows 7 oregon Windows XP successful your virtual instrumentality to tally the program. Setting up a virtual machine isn’t arsenic hard arsenic you mightiness think.

Find Updated oregon Alternative Options

It’s imaginable your program’s developer has released an updated programme version, which tin enactment connected Windows 11. In this case, sojourn your programme maker’s tract and spot if an updated mentation is available. Then, download and usage that updated version.

If there’s nary updated version, see getting an alternate to your app. There are galore programs that volition bash the aforesaid occupation arsenic the 1 you’re trying to run. This lets you get your tasks done without overmuch hassle connected your Windows 11 computer.

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And that’s however you marque aged programs compatible with your Windows 11 computer. Did you cognize Microsoft Office besides offers a compatibility mode?