How to change Windows Compatibility Mode settings: 3 easy method

Most of the time, installing outdated software on Windows 11 is simple, but occasionally, an app won’t cooperate. Here is change the Windows Compatibility Mode settings troubleshooter wizard come into play. This can also be used to resolve or get around other problems that an application could have. Its primary purpose is to improve backwards compatibility for outdated applications.

The majority of the compatibility fixes and modes included in the underlying compatibility engine—managed by the Compatibility Administrator utility—are only useful for system administrators and are not of general interest to end users.

Instead, Microsoft includes a few crucial compatibility options that are simple to reach in the properties of an executable or shortcut’s Compatibility tab. If you’re using Windows and trying to utilize a programme that is a little bit older in your new version but getting an error message that says you can’t, you’re not alone. So don’t worry, it can be fixed. We mentioned below are the ways to change Windows “Compatibility Mode settings”.

Ways to change Windows “Compatibility Mode settings”

Change Compatibility Mode settings for an app using the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter

1. Right-click or long-press the desktop application or its shortcut for which you want to change the compatibility mode setting, and then do one of the following
2. Click/tap on Compatibility Troubleshooting or click/tap on Properties > Compatibility tab > Run Compatibility Troubleshooter button.
3. Then click/tap on the troubleshooting option you wish to use.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions in the troubleshooter until you have finished troubleshooting compatibility issues with the selected app.

Alternatively, instead of right-clicking or long-pressing on the desktop app, you can

1. Open the Control Panel in large or small icon view.
2. Click/tap the Troubleshooting > Run programs created for earlier versions of Windows link.
3. Next, click/tap on the Advanced link.
4. Here, uncheck the “Automatically apply repairs” checkbox.
5. Click/tap Next. To be able to use the “Run as administrator” option, you will need to sign in as an administrator if you prefer.
6. Next, select the desktop application for which you have compatibility issues.
7. Click/tap Next.
8. Check the Fix Program option.
9. Click/tap Next > preferred troubleshooting option to run the troubleshooter.

Change Compatibility Mode settings for an app using the Registry Editor

1. Press the Windows key + R to display the “Run” dialog box.
2. In the “Run” dialog box, type “regedit” and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate or jump to the following registry key path:
   1. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
4. At that location, right-click or long-press on nothing in the right pane and click/tap New > String Value.
5. Now enter the full path of the exe file of the app whose compatibility settings you wish to change and press Enter.
6. Then double-click/tap on the full path in the right pane to change its properties.
7. Enter one or more combinations of data values from the table below for how you want the program to run.

Via Program’s Properties

1. You must be logged in as Admin.
2. Right-click or long-press the .exe file or shortcut of the Classic Desktop software for which you want to change the compatibility mode setting.
3. Click/tap Properties.
4. Now click/tap the “Compatibility” tab for the account you are currently logged in as, or click/tap the “Change settings for all users” button for all users.
5. Next, check the “Run this program in compatibility mode” box and select the latest Windows version for which the app is designed or known to work.
6. Next, under Settings, check or uncheck the desired options.
7. When done, click/tap OK to exit.

Final Words

Not every piece of software has compatibility mode. If the Compatibility mode option is not there, your programme is not supported and can only be used with the version of Windows that is presently installed. Compatibility mode in the Windows operating system enables applications to function as though it were running in an earlier version of Windows.

Compatibility mode could be necessary when running older software products that were created to work with a particular version of Windows. It prevents the software from running or causes errors or functional issues. We hope our article on “How to change Windows “Compatibility Mode settings”” will surely help you to do so. You can also go to the official Microsoft support site for more information about compatibility mode.

FAQ

How do I change compatibility mode settings?

Right-click the executable file or shortcut file and choose Properties from the menu that appears. Click the Compatibility tab in the Properties window. Uncheck the box next to Run this programme in compatibility mode for under the Compatibility mode section. To save these changes, click the OK button. 31-Jul-2022

How do I turn off Windows program compatibility mode?

1. Find the installer in your Downloads folder or wherever you saved it.
2. Right-click on the icon for the Visual Studio Installer.
3. Choose “Properties.”
4. Go to the tab called “Compatibility.”
5. Find where it says “Compatibility Mode” and uncheck it. This programme should be run in compatibility mode to:
   Start over with the setup.

Does Windows 10 have a compatibility mode?

The Windows 10 Compatibility Mode is an easy-to-use tool that can help your older programmes run on the operating system. It works by changing certain settings for each programme individually. This lets the old programme work without the risk of slowing down other programmes.

What causes compatibility mode?

Most likely, it’s because you have an older version of Excel set as your default, which makes the software only use Compatibility Mode. Open Excel and make a new document or open one that already exists.