Examples of software incompatibility with operating systems. Applications causing compatibility issues. Additional troubleshooting methods

Hello readers of my blog!

Starting with XP, several lines of OS from MicroSoft have already been released: Vista, Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10.

And any user who switched at one time from XP to one of these newer operating systems, faced the problem of inoperability of many applications that worked without problems in the previous version.

It's all about OS compatibility with software.

The most problematic operating system in this regard was the 8th Windows. How to solve this issue, not to change the version of the operating system to an older one? Of course not! I will tell you several options for solving windows 8 compatibility issue.

The main reason for the inoperability of software products on different OS is different working libraries of the system. In each operating system, they have a different location of directories (and content in the end). When trying to run an application that was developed for XP on Windows 8, the utility cannot find the required libraries and refuses to start.

Standard software

This is a very simple method, which in most cases solves the problem of the utilities' performance on different operating systems, including Windows 8. For this we need:

You can also solve the discussed problem automatically. This option is available to any user, even a beginner. Just click on the shortcut of the program or game with the right mouse button and you will see the option "Fix compatibility problems" and then follow the instructions.

Virtual machine with the desired operating system

If, after you followed the option that I gave above, your application did not start, you should go to more radical methods, namely, to install the OS you need for the software on the virtual machine. This method will take a little longer, but it guarantees that the utility will work 100%.

If you don't know how to create virtual machines and install operating systems on them, then look for the answer in another article, but now I just offer you this method as an effective option.

Just note that MicroSoft Virtual PC is one of the most popular software products for such manipulations. The instructions to follow when installing and using a virtual machine are available on the official MicroSoft website.

If the installation of a virtual machine is too difficult for you, your indecision or lack of knowledge can correct the course " Genius geek". You will learn not only how to use virtual machines for your own purposes, but also learn many other computer wisdom.

Editing the registry

One of the most difficult methods that requires maximum attention from the user. First, you need to open the registry editor environment, to do this, press the Win key (window key) on your keyboard and, without releasing it, press R.

In the window that opens, you must enter the command to start the editor - "regedit".

Before you appeared the OS and software registry editor. Then we go through the directory

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion \ AppCompatFlags \ Layers.

This path will lead us to the section where there are already software products to which compatibility has been applied.

In any free space in the "Layers" window, right-click and select the options "Create" → "String parameter", and instead of the parameter name, enter the path to the software (you can find it out through the "Properties" of the program shortcut).

The template is ready, now you need to enter the compatibility value. This is done simply: right-click on the parameter that we have just created and click "Change". In the "Values" block, we need to enter one of the compatibility commands:

• WIN95 – Windows 95;
• WIN98 – Windows 95;
• NT4SP5 – Windows NT 4.0;
• WIN2000 – Windows 2000;
• WINXPSP2 – Windows XP SP2;
• WINXPSP3 – Windows XP SP3;
• VISTARTM (VISTASP1 and VISTASP2 - depending on the service pack) - Vista;
• WIN7RTM – Windows 7.

After all the values ​​are entered and saved, close the registry editor and run the required utility. That's it, your Windows 8 can work with the XP software package (for example).

Ultimately, you can always find the software you need, already developed for the new lines of Windows.

I hope that after this short article you will be able to independently solve problems with running programs on the eighth Windows. Do not forget to tell in social networks about what you have learned, perhaps for your friends this topic is also relevant.

I also want to say that there is a computer course “ Genius geek”, Which will fully be able to convey information about the features of all operating systems and their functioning.
Subscribe to blog updates and become computer literate. See you!

Sincerely! Abdullin Ruslan

If you use the Windows 7 operating system in your work, then you may have already come across a situation when, when you start an old program, it displays some kind of error messages or does not start at all. And at the same time, you know for sure that before, when another version of Windows was installed on the computer (for example, Windows XP), this program worked fine for you.

What's the matter? And how can you get out of this situation?

And it's all about the incompatibility of the operating room Windows systems 7 and some programs written for earlier versions of Windows. Those. if we run in Windows 7 any program originally written for Windows XP, then such a program may not start, but it may close by itself or give errors during operation.

In this case, the messages can be displayed very different. For example, this:

... and maybe any other.

To fix such problems, Windows 7 provides the ability to run such programs in a special mode - compatibility mode with earlier versions of Windows.

Note!

- this mode can not use for antiviruses, as well as programs that work with disks or the registry ("tweakers", "cleaners", etc.), because this could damage the system or compromise its safety.

- before using the compatibility mode, check the update of the problematic program (or driver) on the manufacturer's website, because there is always a chance that a new version of the program has already been released forWindows 7.

- compatibility mode is not a panacea, and in some cases its use does not give positive results.

So, to run the program in this mode, click its icon right click mouse and select the item Fixes compatibility issues:

Push the button Launching the program ...(1) and see what happens.

If the program starts, great! If not, then it's too early to get upset! In any case, click the Next button (2) and in the next window select the desired option:

If the program has started, then click the item Yes, save these parameters for the program and in the next window select the item Close Troubleshooter:

If the program did not start (or again gave an error), then select the item No, try using other parameters:

After that (depending on which checkboxes were checked), we will be asked to answer some questions (select options):

We press this button again and check the functionality of the program. If the program has started, then close the compatibility mode (as described above), and if not, we can repeat this procedure several more times using other parameters (until the program starts or until all possible options are used).

Thus, we tried to run the program using the Compatibility Wizard.
It should be noted that the same steps can be done in another way (manually). If you want, you can try to do it.

To do this, right-click the icon of the problematic program and select Properties and then go to the tab Compatibility:

Here after checking the box Run the program in compatibility mode with: from the drop-down list (1) you can select the operating system in which this program worked fine.

Below, if necessary, you can set Extra options screen (2):

Use 256 colors

This parameter limits the number of colors in the program to 256 (this number was used in older programs).

Use a screen resolution of 640x480

Launching the program in a window with a resolution of 640x480. You can try to enable this parameter if the image appears in the program for a very long time ("slows down") or has irregularities.

Disable visual design

It can be turned on if there are problems with the menu or program buttons.

Disable desktop composition

Disable transparency and other visual effects. Turn on if you have image problems or window display problems.

Disable image scaling when high definition screen

Enable this option if you have problems with the font size or the size of the program window.

You can check the box even lower Run this program as administrator(3) if the program is blocked by the control service accounts... This parameter will give the program full access to the system (some programs require this).

Button Change settings for all users will open another similar window, but the settings in it will be applied to all users of the computer. If you are the only user of your computer, then you do not need this button.

After all the settings, click Ok and try to run the program again.

That's all! Hopefully now you will be able to run your favorite (but outdated) program on a modern operating system.

Compatibility of old programs with Windows 7

Solving program compatibility problems

Most of the programs created for previous versions Windows work successfully in Windows 7. However, some applications may not work correctly or not start at all due to their incompatibility with the new operating system.

When a compatibility problem occurs, the Program Compatibility Assistant opens automatically, informing the user of the existing problem, recommending that you check the solution on the Internet, automatically launching the compatibility tools and offering to start the program based on their work.

When you troubleshoot a compatibility issue, the Program Compatibility Assistant tries to resolve a security issue (it has been significantly improved in Windows 7), or it starts simulating a previous version of Windows in which the application works correctly.

If serious problems are found, due to which the operation of the program in Windows 7 is completely impossible, then the assistant blocks it, which also displays a corresponding message. In this case, you will have to go to the developer's website for new version product compatible with Windows 7.

Enabling the Compatibility Assistant

The Program Compatibility Assistant is only activated automatically when a problem is detected. However, for a malfunctioning application, you can manually change the compatibility settings. To do this, run the Start Control Panel System and Security command, in the Action Center section, click the Fix common computer problems link, and then click Run programs designed for previous versions. You can do the same by typing word compatibility in the search box on the Start menu and clicking on the link you want.

Following the instructions of the wizard, indicate the problem program and how to diagnose it.

One of the reasons for the incompatibility of the application may be an attempt by an old program to start with administrator rights (refer to system folders and regions of the registry), which is unacceptable in Windows 7 when User Account Control is enabled (we will talk about it in one of the next chapters). From now on, for the sake of system security, all programs are launched with the rights of a regular user. Since there were no such restrictions in previous versions of Windows, in the seventh version, when opening an application, a "legal" conflict may arise: the old program will not be able to work in normal user mode. Windows 7 allows you to bypass this limitation by running the problematic application with administrator rights.

Having decided on the compatibility parameters, check if the program works correctly. If unsuccessful (if the message about compatibility issues reappears), return to the wizard and try other settings. If, after reviewing all the compatibility options, you still cannot find the best one, it remains to try to run the application despite warnings about compatibility problems. In some cases, problematic programs function quite well. If this attempt was unsuccessful, go to the program developer's website to get a new version. On this moment most manufacturers software made sure that latest versions their products were compatible with the new Microsoft operating system.

Please note that it is strongly discouraged to configure compatibility settings for outdated antiviruses and various system applications as this could lead to data loss or reduced security.

The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) 5.5 will help determine whether your applications are compatible with Windows 7. ACT also helps you determine how upgrades will affect your applications. You can also use ACT functions to:

• Checking your applications, devices and computer for compatibility with the new version of the Windows operating system
• Windows Update Compatibility Checks
• Connect to the ACT community and share risk assessments with other ACT users
• Testing your Web applications and Web sites for compatibility issues with new releases and system updates Internet protection Explorer.

Methods for Mitigating Compatibility Issues

Shrinking an application usually depends on various factors such as the type of application and the current support for the application. Some of the common techniques include the following:

• Change the configuration of an existing application: You can use the tools, Compatibility Administrator or Standard User Analyzer (installed with ACT), to find the problem and create a fix of this application which will solve the compatibility issue.
• Applying updates or service packs to an application: Updates or service packs can help resolve many of the compatibility issues and enable an application to run in a new operating system environment.
• Upgrading the application to a compatible release: if a newer, compatible version of the application exists, the best solution- update to a newer version.
• Changing the security configuration: as an example, Protected Mode Internet Explorer can be mitigated by adding the site to the list of trusted sites or turning off Protected Mode (which is not recommended).
• Running the application in a virtualized environment: If all other methods are not available, you can run the application in an earlier release of Windows to troubleshoot problems using virtualization tools such as PC Microsoft Virtual and Microsoft Virtual Server.
• Using Application Compatibility Features: Application issues such as operating system version control can be mitigated by running the application in emulation mode. This mode can be accessed by right-clicking on the shortcut or .exe file and applying the earlier emulation mode Windows versions on the tabs " Compatibility» ( Properties -> Compatibility). You can also use " Program Compatibility Wizard". This function can be found like this:" Control Panel "->" Programs "->" Run programs created for previous versions of Windows».
• Selecting another application that does the same function but has no compatibility issues: if another compatible application is available, you can use it.