Running Old Programs on a Vista PC

Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:44PM EDT

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Reader Darlene writes: How do I get The Print Shop to operate on Vista? I love both programs but they don't love each other. Keep in mind I am not a computer savvy person.

Most older software will run on Vista, but plenty won't. Fortunately, Vista includes a system called "Compatibility Mode" that gives older programs a fighting chance to run on the new OS.

Here's how to set it up.

First, find the executable for the program in question. If you can find a shortcut icon, right-click it and click "Open file location." This will open a window and highlight the original executable.

Now right-click this executable and select Properties. Here click the Compatibility tab. Click the box reading "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and then click the drop-down below. Select the OS where you know the program worked before (probably Windows XP (Service Pack 2), but it goes back to Windows 95). See the screenshot above for more detail.

Click OK to finish up and then try running the program. If it doesn't work right away you might have to experiment with a couple of different options in the compatibility drop-down.

For more compatibility mode options you can run Vista's compatibility wizard by clicking Start > Control Panel > Programs > Use an older program with this version of Windows. This offers the same settings as outlined above but in a somewhat simpler interface.

Good luck! 

Comments on Running Old Programs on a Vista PC

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  • 1 Posted by commorancy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Most of the incompatibility problems within Vista, stem from the so-called much tighter privilege security system that Microsoft has placed into Vista. So, applications that don't abide by Vista's privilege system will be denied access to some/certain resources thus causing them to fail and/or crash. Unfortunately, no compatibility mode will allow an application to violate Vista's tighter privilege system. So, expect lots of failing apps until these older apps can be fixed to not write to/access whatever they shouldn't be touching.

  • 2 Posted by cnull on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    That's true, but I'm hoping an app like The Print Shop is not violating Vista security protocol....

  • 3 Posted by lillgad on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have been using Print Shop Version 6, since it's inception [many years], on win xp, creating menu's for local restaurants, but a friends new VISTA WOULD NOT ACCEPT this program, no matter how we tried to load it. We finally got a Print Shop Version 20, and was able to install this Version.

  • 4 Posted by patrick_flibotte on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    Do you folks even know why you bought windows vista? Do you know what you are gaining over windows xp? I am a software developer, and IMO Windows Vista is turning Pcs, in Macs. I took it our after 1 week, it is totally irrelevent for anything I use, and it really is more a 98/me --- 2000 transition, maybe better for the business environment, but not for home, and personal. Windows xp was easily their best work, after all the fixes that is. Don't fix what isn't broken. If you are used to printing pictures on windows xp, keep it that way, instead of buying the new software.

  • 5 Posted by wisemail on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    So what your get is a "compatibility" mode that's not compatible. Plus, all this is supposed to secure your system (not sell you new versions, huh?) but Vista is still not secure by anyones opinion, accept Microsoft? ...Sounds to me like Windows is not user friendly, not easy to install, expensive to get new versions (of each and every thing), known to be insecure and what's more, has become the new anti-standard. This; in an effort to lock you in and keep them in the software business. Now you go ahead and call me crazy but the fact is, free open software has come up and is now overall better; for whatever you might wish to do. Is it perfect? No, and neither is a Mac(or any system). Yet, do you know what is closest to perfection? Yes, open software. Granted, all have a long way to go. You DO NOT have to erase your current copy of Windows during your change over and/or for comparing. You are much better served with quality device components that just automatically work with open software systems(without working around their compatibility failings). So IF you want direct 3D graphics for games, I recommend an Nvidia card at $15 and up. Then if you wifi doesn't just work (asking for your wifi net's SSID) then spend $20 and get one known to be compatible for any OS you wish, not locked into Windows (they can work too but they make you work at it). So next you say, "but which 'open software OS?'". Easy! Kubuntu! http://www.kubuntu.com (Puppy Linux 2.15CE or better for really old computers under about 192MB and with slow or no hard drives). Yes Ubuntu with Gnome is fine too but I prefer KDE and thus Kubuntu. I think Windows users will find Kubuntu familiar right out of the gate. Plus then, it's a bit more customizable. You see, all these distributions are basically the same stuff but wrapped up differently for your varying needs. If you dislike a direction one takes, you have many choices to get just what you need. What you have to wrap your mind around is One: while you can run last years popular Windows programs as if they were native (and you can even run all Win programs with a virtualizer that runs Windows itself), you need to simply pick a native replacement program for your needs instead. No popular stone is left unturned here. Massive free choice abound. It's up to you. Two: Given a "distro" like Kubuntu, you get upgrades to your programs and their new improvements (and versions) automatically on-line, for free, without the all the to-do. That, right there, is enough reason to TRY it. Again, no need to erase anything you have now. So run what you wish but if I were you, I'd explore. If you are very non-technical, please just ask a friend who is into it. We will be glad to help. That brings me to the last major way of looking at this. When you utilize free open software (perhaps also allowing you to obtain newer hardware) support comes free 24/7 via on-line communities. Ubuntu's is friendly and massive. Problems better solved.

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