How To Run Programs In Compatibility Mode In Windows 7

Sometimes when you run applications that have been designed to work with earlier versions of Windows such as XP or Vista, you may come across some unexpected behavior when trying to run them in Windows 7. Here are the steps to run such programs in compatibility mode in your Windows 7 PC.

1. Right click on the program’s exe file or it’s shortcut on desktop/start menu.

2. Go to the ‘Compatibility’ tab.

3. Tick the check box ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for’.

4. In the drop down menu select the correct version of Windows suitable to run that application from one of the several available options. The versions include Windows XP, it’s service packs (SP2, SP3), Windows Vista and it’s service packs(SP1, SP2), Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003(SP1) etc.

5. Click OK to save your changes.

From the next time onwards, whenever you run the program in Windows 7, you will not encounter any compatibility errors.

In case of device compatibility issues, such as non-availability of updated drivers for older devices, you may want to install the Windows XP mode in Windows 7.