Vista Program Compatibility Wizard
If you are experiencing problems with a program that worked correctly on an earlier version of Windows, this wizard helps you select and test compatibility settings that may fix those problems.
It is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4…
1) How do you want to locate the program that you would like to run with compatibility settings?
* I want to choose from a list of programs (scans the system for programs)
* I want to use the program in the CD-ROM drive (scans you CD drive)
* I want to locate the program manually (lets you browse for an executable file)
2) Select a compatibility mode for the program: Choose the operating system that is recommended for this program, or that previously supported the program correctly:
* Microsoft Windows 95
* Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 5)
* Microsoft Windows 98 / Windows Me
* Microsoft Windows 2000
* Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
* Do not apply a compatibility mode
3) Select a compatibility mode for the program: Choose the operating system that is recommended for this program, or that previously supported the program correctly:
* Microsoft Windows 95
* Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 5)
* Microsoft Windows 98 / Windows Me
* Microsoft Windows 2000
* Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
* Do not apply a compatibility mode
4) Select display settings for the program: Choose the settings that are recommended for this program, or that previously supported the program correctly:
* 256 colors
* 640 x 480 screen resolution
* Disable visual themes (you can try this option if you are experiencing problems with menus or buttons on the title bar of the program)
* Disable desktop composition ( you can try this option if you are experiencing problems with the display when running the program)
* Disable display scaling on high DPI settings (you can try this option if you are experiencing problems with the program display on high DPI settings)
While this can help you to run programs that may not normally run under Windows Vista, it is strongly recommended that you do not run this on older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs. Doing so may cause data loss or create a security risk. When it comes to these kinds of programs, you will really need to cough up and upgrade-- use only versions of these programs and utilities designed specifically to work with Windows Vista.
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Comments
To Whom It May Concern,
I just bought a new computer with Windows Vista and it is not compatible with the autocad 2006. Can you recommend a solution to my problem. I would really appreciate it.
Thank you,
George
Posted by: george | May 8, 2007 9:55 PM
I don't have personal experience with AutoCad, but I've seen it said that v2007 would not run properly until set to run in XP compatiblity mode (shortcut properties).
Posted by: Bob | May 19, 2007 7:57 AM
Great article, thanks. But sometimes you can face the challenge even in the process of installing MSI in Vista. In this cases you can go to migrate2vista.com. They have a small free utility MSI Readiness Analyzer which checks the MSI for compatibility with Vista. It also can suggest to download one more tool for fixing MSI problems. Thats a pretty good way, I think!
Posted by: Will Jean | May 23, 2007 4:34 AM
I have the new Vista system and I can not access the Program Compatibility Wizard on my Computer.
Posted by: Rod | August 16, 2007 9:17 AM
Rod,
To start the Program Compatibility Wizard click the "Start" button, then "Control Panel", then "Programs", and then click "Use an older program with this version of Windows".
Posted by: Bob Kelly | August 16, 2007 3:12 PM
and what if I don't have a link "programs" from control panel, does it mean that my vista is just a waste of money? how could i access the compatibility wizard?
and do u have any idea how i can fix or upgrade windows installer if it wo't let me install any other program?
Posted by: sisi | September 27, 2007 2:54 PM
To run the wizard manually, is a bit strange. The tool is actually a script (an HTML application) and the script is in a DLL. Open a command prompt and run the following command to kick it off "manually"...
"C:\Windows\system32\mshta.exe" res://C:\Windows\system32\acprgwiz.dll/compatmode.hta
If your are having problems with the Windows Installer service, I recommend checking out AppDeploy.com. In particular, if the problem is with the Windows Installer service itself this tip can be of help: http://www.appdeploy.com/faq/detail.asp?id=77
Hope this helps,
Bob
Posted by: Bob Kelly | September 28, 2007 3:39 PM