Summary: Here’s what to do if your application does not run properly or it’s not windows vista compatible.

Application is not windows vista compatible

As you may have noticed, most of the newest applications will work on Windows Vista, but some of your old software will not. When installing a software, Windows attempts to check if it is windows vista compatible and if it’s not you’ll see some "this applications will not run on windows vista" or "this application is not windows vista compatible" prompts.

In order to bypass the prompts and install the application (despite the fact that windows doesn’t consider it compatible) right click on the setup file, choose Properties and select the Compatibility tab. In the Compatibility mode section check the radio box besides Run this program in compatibility mode for and choose whatever version of windows you wish (in most cases Windows Xp). Press OK and double click on the application. This time you should be able to install it.

Application is not working properly on Windows Vista

The same goes if one of your applications runs and fails for whatever reason: you need to convince the applications that it’s running in the environment for which it was designed. The process is identical to the one above. Right click on the application, select Properties – Compatibility tab – check Run this program in compatibility mode for and choose a windows version.

Program Compatibility Wizard

As an alternative to the above procedures, you can tell an application to run in a certain environment by using the Compatibility Wizard. Click the Start orb and choose Control Panel. Select Programs and click on Use an older program with this version of windows (under Programs and features), and follow the instructions on the screen.