Sometimes doubts arise such as what is the process to install a 32-bit program on a 64-bit Windows computer or how to run old incompatible programs or applications on Windows 10. Regarding the old programs, today we will show you the easiest methods to execute them.
Procedure to run incompatible programs or applications in Windows 10
The compatibility options that Windows 10 presents us with are varied, although the most basic and the one that usually works best is the “Compatibility Mode”. Through this mode it is possible to run a program with the necessary compatibility dependencies for older operating systems.
The appropriate thing would be to select the operating system for which that old application incompatible with Windows 10 was prepared. In most cases, making this configuration allows the execution of old programs. But first, you need to enable compatibility mode.
Enable compatibility mode for older operating systems
The process is very simple, you just have to go to the executable or direct access to the program. Once you locate it, right click on it and select the “Properties” option. Here all the configuration options of the direct access or executable are shown, this time you must click on “Compatibility”.
Navigate to the “Compatibility Mode” tab and enable the “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” option. Now you must select the operating system that works best with the application you want to run. Click on the “Apply” option and then on “OK”.
Carrying out the previous process you will be able to run old programs in most circumstances, being the most optimal option that is recommended in these cases.
Options present in Windows compatibility options
Compatibility mode is not the only one present in the “Compatibility” tab of Windows. In fact, there are other options that you can take into account and can help you to run old programs.
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Reduced color mode: Reduced color mode can help running very old applications. Therefore, if you have an application prior to 1995, try to enable one of these options if it does not work properly.
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Run at 640 X 480 screen resolution: Older apps ran at much lower resolutions than today’s. For this reason, enabling this low resolution mode may help with some applications.
Other options to run incompatible programs in Windows 10
In addition to everyday compatibility options, you can also try other methods to run older programs. Try the following if the compatibility options above don’t work.
Execute as an administrator
It may seem like a very basic option, but many times a program does not run properly, because it requires administrator permissions. Fortunately this solution is very basic. To run a program as an administrator, you must right-click on the executable and select the “Run as administrator” option.
Keep in mind that most of the time when running a program as an administrator, Windows will ask for a confirmation. It will only be enough to accept the request and in this way you will be able to verify if the program is executed properly.
On the other hand, if you want to configure programs to run as administrator permanently, you can enter the compatibility menu as we showed you before. There select the option “Run this program as an administrator” and save the changes.
Use emulators/virtual machines
If none of the above worked, there is always the possibility of using a virtual machine. To do this you must install Windows in a virtual machine. Keep in mind, that you can install any operating system in a virtual machine and in most cases run programs without problems.
It is also recommended that you know the basics, such as how to increase the size of the hard drive in a virtual machine. This could help you even to install many old apps incompatible with Windows 10
In turn, if you don’t want to complicate yourself so much, remember that there is the possibility of running Android applications on PC, this is also true with programs from other operating systems. Therefore, investigate with the purpose of verifying if there is an emulator, something that always makes things easier.
