Most programs created for Windows Vista and earlier versions of the operating system also work with Windows 7. But some older programs in the new operating system may function with errors, or even not start at all. To solve such problems, the Windows 7 operating system has a built-in compatibility troubleshooter that allows you to fix the problem by configuring a number of parameters (manually or automatically).

1. Right-click on the shortcut or executable file of the program that has a compatibility issue with Windows 7. A context menu will open.
2. Select the menu command Troubleshoot compatible by clicking on it. As a result, a dialog box will open for selecting a diagnostic mode. You should use the recommended settings first, in which case the changes you make are usually enough to run most problematic applications correctly. If the result does not satisfy you, then you need to move on to a semi-automatic diagnostic method.
3. Click on Troubleshoot program. In the changed dialog box content, you should check the statements that apply to your application's problem.
4. Check the boxes next to the appropriate items or check the I don’t see my problem listed box.
5. Click the Next button. The contents of the dialog box will change again and you should now select the operating system on which the application functioned normally before.
6. Select the operating system on which the program functioned normally, or click on I don’t know if the version of Windows is unknown.
7. Click the Next button. Now you should check the boxes for statements that detail the problem with your application.
8. Check the boxes next to the appropriate items or check the I don’t see my problem listed checkbox if the program does not start at all.
9. Click the Next button. The dialog box that opens indicates changes in the program settings and prompts you to run the program to check.
10. Click the Start the program button.
11. After closing the program, click Next.

Now you should choose one of the options, depending on whether the problem is resolved. If the program started and functioned normally, you should save the changed parameters. Otherwise, try using other parameters or, if no “magic passes” save the situation, send a report to Microsoft and activate an automatic search for a solution on the Internet, similar to when you are looking for a place to buy artificial Christmas trees.

Setting startup options manually

You can also independently change the launch parameters of a program that has compatibility problems. To do this, right-click on the shortcut or executable file and select the Properties command from the context menu. After this, a dialog box will open in which you need to go to the Compatibility tab. In the Compatibility mode group, you need to check the Run this program in compatibility mode for checkbox and select the version of the Windows operating system in which the program previously functioned normally from the drop-down list below. As a rule, for most "incompatible" programs, Windows XP with Service Pack 2 is sufficient.

In the Settings group of settings, additional parameters for launching the application are defined. The Run in 256 colors, which limits color reproduction, and the Run in 640×480 screen resolution checkboxes are useful for running completely outdated applications. Checking the Disable visual themes checkbox disables themes and can help if there are problems with the visual design, with the display of buttons or menus. Checking the Disable desktop composition checkbox disables transparency and other advanced screen features and most often avoids compatibility issues.

The Disable display scaling on high DPI settings checkbox disables automatic program resizing when using large fonts. Some programs may require administrator rights to function properly. In this case, check the Run this program as an administrator checkbox in the Privilege Level settings group. Click the Change settings for all users button to assign changes to program startup settings to all users on this computer.

A beta version of a software utility has become available on the official Microsoft website dedicated to Windows 7, which is used to check your computer for compatibility with the future operating system.

Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor - this is the name of the program, will be able to evaluate your computer and the hardware and software it contains for compliance with the minimum requirements necessary for operation. The utility itself is a stand-alone msi package, after installation of which a four-stage check of the computer takes place using the following parameters: CPU frequency, RAM size, hard drive disk space and video adapter characteristics. During the scan, the utility collects brief information about the main installed programs and compares them with the preliminary specification of compatibility with the future OS.

Note that this time Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor does not give the user recommendations about installing a particular edition of Windows 7 - it only tells you whether it is possible to install Windows 7 on this machine AT ALL, and in the case of working under Vista, it can tell you to what edition. It is possible to update from the editions of the future OS.

Due to doubts among some users regarding the stable operation of the mode in Windows 7, leading processor manufacturers have compiled a list of their “stones” on which this mode is not supported in hardware:
Intel Celeron;
Intel Pentium M;
Intel Pentium Dual Core;
AMD Sempron.

If your processor is not on the list, then you can safely count on the fact that hardware virtualization technology is available to you and Windows XP Mode will work.

The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor program works fine under ,

Compatibility of old programs with Windows 7

Solving program compatibility issues

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

When compatibility problems arise, the Program Compatibility Assistant automatically opens, informs the user about the existing problem, recommends that you familiarize yourself with its solution on the Internet, automatically launches compatibility tools, and offers to launch the program based on their work.

When troubleshooting a compatibility issue, the Program Compatibility Assistant tries to resolve a security issue (which was greatly improved in Windows 7) or runs a simulation of a previous version of Windows in which the application runs correctly.

If serious problems are detected that make the program completely impossible to work in Windows 7, the assistant blocks it, and a corresponding message is also displayed. In this case, you will have to go to the developer’s website for a new version of the product that is compatible with Windows 7.

Activating Compatibility Assistant

The Program Compatibility Assistant only activates automatically when a problem is detected. However, for an application that is not working correctly, you can change the compatibility settings manually. To do this, click Start Control Panel System and Security, in the Action Center section click on the link Fix common computer problems, and then click on Run programs designed for previous versions. The same can be done by entering the StartWord compatibility menu in the search field and clicking on the desired link.

Following the wizard's instructions, indicate the problematic program and how to diagnose it.

One of the reasons for application incompatibility may be an attempt by the old program to run with administrator rights (to access system folders and registry areas), which is unacceptable in Windows 7 when User Account Control is enabled (we will talk about this in one of the following chapters). From now on, for system security reasons, all programs are launched with normal user rights. Since previous versions of Windows did not have such restrictions, 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.

Once you have decided on the compatibility parameters, check whether the program works correctly. If unsuccessful (if the compatibility issue message appears again), return to the wizard and try other settings. If, after reviewing all the compatibility options, you still cannot find the optimal one, all you have to do is try to launch the application despite the warnings about compatibility problems. In some cases, problematic programs operate quite successfully. If this attempt is unsuccessful, contact the program developer’s website to obtain a new version. At this point, most software manufacturers have made sure that the latest versions of their products are compatible with the new Microsoft operating system.

Please note that it is strongly recommended not to configure compatibility settings for outdated antiviruses and various system applications, as this may lead to data loss or reduced security.

Designed to install and run applications or drivers written for earlier versions of the OS, such as Windows Vista, Windows XP, etc.

It is recommended to first check for software or driver updates on the manufacturer's website. If versions for Windows 7 no, you can try installing and running a program (or driver) designed for Windows Vista or Windows XP in compatibility mode. I’ll immediately make a reservation that a program launched in this way may not work correctly or not work at all, but in the absence of better options, we try to use this one.

Attention! Do not use compatibility mode for system programs such as antiviruses, disk utilities, tweakers, cleaners, etc., this may damage the system.

Install or run an application using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

Right-click on the application shortcut or installation file (setup.exe, install.exe, etc.) and select " Fixing compatibility issues".

Most programs written for Windows XP and Vista work with the Windows 7 version, but some older programs may not work correctly or not work at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows does not work correctly, you can change the program's compatibility settings manually or by using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

If changing the settings does not solve the problem, visit the program manufacturer's website where there may be an update available.

Program compatibility

Program compatibility is a Windows mode that allows you to run programs written for earlier versions of Windows

Notes

• Do not use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter for older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because using these types of outdated programs may result in data loss or create a security risk.
• Some compatibility issues may be caused by drivers. If an old driver is causing problems, you will need to update it manually.
• You can also open the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter by right-clicking the program icon and selecting

Follow the directions in the troubleshooter. If you can't install a program, insert its installation disc and use this tool to locate the program's installation file, usually Setup.exe, Install.exe, etc. Troubleshooter does not support work with programs that have a file name extension MSI

Manually change compatibility settings

To change compatibility settings for a program manually, right-click the program icon, select Properties and then tab Compatibility

Help for selecting parameters

Run programs with the settings of a previous version of Windows. Enable this option if you know that the program is designed for (or worked in) a particular previous version of Windows.

Running in 256 color mode- Limitation of the set of colors in the program. Some older programs use a limited set of colors.

Use screen resolution 640? 480- Launch the program in a reduced window. Enable this option if the graphical user interface has a jagged outline or does not render correctly

Disable visual themes- Disable themes in the program. Enable this option if you have problems with the menus or buttons in the program's title bar.

Disable desktop creation- Disable transparency and other additional screen features. Enable this option if windows move erratically or you have other display problems

Disable image scaling at high screen resolutions- Disable automatic resizing of programs when using large fonts. Enable this option if large fonts disrupt the appearance of the program.

Permission level- Run the program as administrator. Some programs require administrator rights to function properly. This option is only available when logged in with an administrator account.

Change settings for all users- Select settings that will be applied to all users of this computer.