Using the Program Compatibility Wizard (Vista)

Installing a program is one thing; getting it to run after it’s installed is another. If an installed program won’t
start or isn’t working right, try using the Program Compatibility Wizard on it.
The Program Compatibility Wizard provides a step-by-step means of configuring and testing an older program
so that it will run in Windows Vista. Before you bother to use it, try running the installed program
without it. I mention this because I’ve seen people spend much time messing with this on the assumption
that it’s needed. When in fact, the assumption was wrong and they could have just run the program as-is!


If you’re sure an installed program isn’t running, or is not running correctly, follow these steps to start the
Program Compatibility Wizard:

1. Click the Start button and choose All Programs ➪ Accessories ➪ Program Compatibility Wizard.

2. Read the first wizard page and click Next>.
n I want to choose from a list of programs: If the program is already installed and has an icon
on the All Programs menu, choose this option.
n I want to use the program in the CD-ROM drive: If the program isn’t installed and needs to
be installed or run from a CD, choose this option.
n I want to locate the program manually: If the program isn’t on the All Programs menu, but
you know the path and filename of the program, choose this option.

4. Follow the instructions on the next wizard page. For example, if you chose the first option, scroll
through the list of program names and click the program you want to run in compatibility mode.
Then click Next>.

5. On the next page, choose the operating system that the program was written for, or the last operating
system on which you were able to run the program. Then click Next>.

6. The next wizard page will ask about display settings, such as 256 colors, 640 x 480 screen resolution,
and visual themes. If the program is an old game or educational program that fills the entire
screen with simple graphics, choose all three options. If the program runs in a program window,
you probably don’t need to choose any of those options. Click Next>.
7. The next page asks about running the program with full administrative privileges. Choose that
option only if you’re an administrator and the program doesn’t run at all. Click Next>.

8. You’re taken to a summary of your selected options. Click Next> again to test your choices.
The rest is trial-and-error. If the program runs, great. You can answer accordingly in the wizard and be done