Most apps (and other programs, like games or utilities) that were created for earlier versions of Windows will work in the most recent version of Windows 10, but some older ones might run poorly or not at all. Here are some ways to fix common issues with older programs. Notes: To check which version and build of Windows you're running, in the search
box on the taskbar, enter winver and then select Enter.
If you have printer or scanner problems after a Windows 10 upgrade or update, see Fix printer problems after updating or upgrading to Windows 10.
If you have Bluetooth problems after a Windows 10 upgrade or update, see Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows 10.
First, try running the compatibility troubleshooter: In the search box on the taskbar, type the name of the program or app you want to troubleshoot.
Select and hold (or right-click) it, and then select Open file location.
Select and hold (or right-click) the program file, select Properties, and then select the Compatibility tab.
Select Run compatibility troubleshooter.
If that didn’t work, you can try adjusting the settings Compatibility tab. Here's what to look for and what each setting does when it's selected. Compatibility settings
Setting | Description |
|---|
Compatibility mode
| Runs the program using settings from an earlier 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 incorrectly.
| Change high DPI settings
| If your program isn't displayed correctly on a PC with a high-DPI display (its features are blurry or are too big or too small), select Change high DPI settings, and then try one of these options in the Properties dialog box: Choose which DPI to use In the Program DPI section, select Use this
setting to fix scaling problems for this program instead of the one in Settings to use the DPI settings you want to use for this program. Note: This changes the DPI only for the app you're adjusting. If you want to adjust this for all apps, select Start > Settings > Advanced scaling settings and follow the instructions.
For more info about changing the setting for all apps, see Fix apps that appear blurry.
For Use the DPI that’s set for my main display when, select one of the following: I signed in to Windows Use the DPI that was set for your main display when you signed in to Windows. This is the default
setting.
I open this program – Use the DPI that was set for your main display at the time you open the specific program.
Change the application's high-DPI scaling mode In the High DPI scaling override area, select Override high DPI scaling behavior, and then try one of the following options: Application – Disable all Windows scaling settings and only use the app developer's setting. This option was called Disable display scaling on
high DPI settings in previous versions of Windows.
System – Overrides the program’s DPI settings and makes it run like it would on a low-DPI display. On a high-DPI display, this will make the program appear blurry.
System (Enhanced) – Windows will try to use enhanced DPI scaling for this program. As a result, some programs will display with crisp text on high-DPI displays. This won't work for all programs.
| Run this program as an administrator
| Some programs require administrator permissions to run correctly. Sign in to your PC as an administrator to use this option.
| Change settings for all users
| Apply the settings for that program to all accounts on the PC, and select Change settings for all users. You might be prompted for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
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Windows Update Troubleshooter Fix Windows update errors
Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ Need more help?
How do I run old software on Windows?
You can access Windows 10 compatibility options through the application Properties menu. Select the old game you want to open, then right-click and select Properties. Select the Compatibility tab. Use the Compatibility mode option to run your application in a previous version of Windows.
How do I run old Basic programs on Windows 10?
Right-click your program's shortcut or the EXE file and then select Properties. When the Properties screen comes up, choose the “Compatibility” tab, then choose which version of Windows you want to use. Then, of course, make sure to click OK so it will always open in the mode you set.
How do I run an old EXE file?
Make Old Programs Compatible With Windows 10 and Windows 11
It can be an installer or an already extracted folder of the installed program. Right-click on the EXE file and open Properties. 2. Next, move to the “Compatibility” tab, and enable the checkbox for “Run this program in compatibility mode for”.
Will older programs run on Windows 11?
Can You Run Old Programs With Compatibility Mode in Windows 11/10? Both Windows 10 and 11 provide you with the option to set a compatibility mode for each individual program. This way, you can run applications that were meant for older versions of Windows, simply by selecting the correct mode from a list.
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