What is Compatability Mode and does it work

[JerBru]

Has anyone had experience with compatability mode. I am a new Vista Premium user and have not seen this program.

 

[Brink]

Hi JerBru,

This will help explain what Compatiblity Mode is and how to use.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/75909-compatibility-mode.html

Hope this helps you,
Shawn

 

[TIEPAN]

The trick with compatibility mode that many users do not realise, is that you set "xp sp2" to the .exe file of the app you want before installing. That way all the elements of that install is in compatibility mode.

After installation, also set the apps launching .exe in that mode.

You may find that many programs that did not work before will run fine, this way.

 

[MrHope]

I agree with Tiepan:

Select the installing program and use compatiblity mode on it.
Then after the installer is done, use compatibility mode on the program(s) it installed.

Some installers and/or programs will require admin mode. I use admin mode for all of my installs just to be safe.

 

[cpemma]

Some installers and/or programs will require admin mode. I use admin mode for all of my installs just to be safe.

Possibly related, sometimes after a straight install and the "Finished" button comes up, I get a message to the effect "This program may not have installed properly, do you want Mr Vista to do it again properly?"

The only information I have is from this thread;

Under Windows Vista, even an administrator normally runs with standard user privileges. Only when access to certain key areas of the system are required, does Vista prompt you for elevated privileges.

Microsoft has been crying themselves hoarse for the last 10 years about the proper way to write a Windows program! Programs should not write stuff to certain parts of the registry that are not accessible without admin privileges. Most software companies have been guilty of writing crap that assume that all users on a Windows pc have admin privileges. This is the first time that MS is actually enforcing the rule.

What Vista is attempting to tell you when it says that the program may not have installed correctly is that the program was written pre-Vista and may require admin privileges to install. This is particularly the case if it is not using Windows Installer technology and is attempting to access the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry key.

For programs such as these, it is best to start the SETUP.EXE as "Administrator" by selecting the program, right-clicking and selecting "Run as Administrator".

 

[Brink]

Hi cpemma,

I noticed that this is pretty much normal when you install anything using Compatibility mode. It's just Vista letting you know it detected that the program did not install using normal methods. If you believe it installed ok and is running fine, then I would just ignore the standard message from Vista.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[cpemma]

If you believe it installed ok and is running fine, then I would just ignore the standard message from Vista.

I'm getting reconciled to the fact that a lot of my little utilities picked up over the years for XP, even 9x, just aren't written "good enough" to satisfy Vista. Time to find new ones...

 

[Brink]

cpemma,

You might take a look at these free programs to see if they can replace what you need.

http://www.vistax64.com/software/115872-free-software-list-vista.html

Shawn