Introduction What is compatibility mode?

If you decide to find out how to enable or disable compatibility mode in the Windows operating system, then you have uniquely addressed the address. But first, let's answer this question: what is the compatibility mode? What can it be for?

What is Windows compatibility mode?

So, compatibility mode in Windows 7 or 10 is a special feature that allows you to run an application designed for previous versions of the operating system. Perhaps for you this description turned out to be quite complicated, so let's take a closer look at it with a specific example.

So, a certain developer (let's call him Valery) created the program VolterSide (the name of the program is taken arbitrarily) and released this product for the Windows XP operating system. For users of this software, everything was fine, until it was time to upgrade your computer or laptop to a more advanced version of the operating system called Windows 7 (or 10). As it turned out, VolterSide does not open in the installed system. Users unwittingly begin to think: why does the application not work on a new modern system, when the old one opens up perfectly?

The fact is that Valery did not release an update for his product, which would introduce support for new operating systems. His program remained in the past. But what about those people who need modernity in terms of the operating system? They will not use Windows XP, for example, because VolterSide only works in this version of Windows. This is where the compatibility mode for Windows 7 or 10 may come to your rescue.

But you should also pay attention to the fact that this function will help not only with the operation of applications, but also with drivers. That is, if you have speakers (keyboard, monitor - anything), and for some reason they stopped working after updating the OS, then you can try to run and install their drivers in compatibility mode.

How to enable compatibility mode in Windows 7 or 10?

Troubleshooting

Well, here we come to the main issue of today's discussion. We will not long drag the tires and go straight to your actions:

1. Find a shortcut (or original file) to launch a program or driver that you could not launch.
2. Click on it with the right mouse button and go to the "Troubleshooting Compatibility."
3. Now you need to carefully read what the help windows offer. First, select the mode of operation of our assistant: program diagnostics. Click "Next."
4. In the window there is a question about what problems you noticed when starting. In our case, the first option is suitable for the application in previous versions of Windows.
5. Next, select the version of the operating system in which you had everything wonderful. For example, it was Windows Vista. So we click on it, and then click "Next." If you are not sure which version was suitable for the software (for example, when you first downloaded the application to your computer), then you will have to try each one.
6. Now the troubleshooting window will show a small report on what we chose. If everything is correct, then click on the "Run program" button.
7. After successful launch of the application, be sure to save these settings for the program. Otherwise, try other solutions or send a report to Microsoft. Unfortunately, the chance of being answered is very small. But if there are a sufficient number of such letters to them, they can correct the problem in future updates.

Manually change settings. Enable or disable the mode yourself

The previous method, of course, has not been canceled, but it takes some time. If you do not need the system itself to analyze and test the program, then you can manually configure the parameters manually. The method is practically no different from the previous one in terms of how to put the compatibility mode in Windows 7 or 10. Also, you can not only enable, but also safely disable it. So, let's begin:

1. As in the previous instructions, right-click on the label or the original program. But now you will need to select the last item “Properties”.
2. In the window that appears, open the Compatibility tab and click the check mark next to the item about running the program in compatibility mode.
3. In the field located just below, you must select the version of the operating system.
4. As required, you can set some parameters (Using 256 colors, special screen resolution and others). This can also play a role when running in compatibility mode.
5. Click "Apply" and then "OK." Now you can try to run a program or driver.
6. To disable this feature, you simply remove the check mark that you put in the second stage.

Does not help? No problem!

In fact, this mode helps in isolated cases. Because practically all of their programs are well-known manufacturers and developers immediately ready to work with new operating systems. Otherwise, it may be that the problems are not connected with the fact that the software is intended for other versions of the OS. Then you can try to diagnose (the first instruction, the second paragraph). Only this time, we choose not the first option, but tick off the others. So, by exclusion, you can identify the real problem.

Results

Summing up today's discussion of how to enable or disable compatibility mode in Windows 10 or 7, we can say the following: the function is really useful and necessary. It can help when other means are either unavailable or powerless. Therefore, do not underestimate the built-in features of the Microsoft operating system and put an end to them. We share in the comments: were you able to run the program or the driver in compatibility mode? If not, which method helped you?