How to troubleshoot application compatibility issues in Windows Vista
View products that this article applies to.
Article ID : 927386
Last Review : February 28, 2007
Revision : 1.6
Note Before you follow the steps that this article describes, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for the specific symptom or error message that you incur when you try to run the application. Then, use what you find for the specific symptom or error message to troubleshoot the issue before you continue.
Troubleshoot an application that no longer runs correctly on a Windows Vista-based computer
If the application no longer runs correctly on a Windows Vista-based computer, you may have to perform clean-boot troubleshooting to test the application in safe mode. For more information about clean-boot troubleshooting, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
316434 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434/) How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
Note You may have to enable Microsoft Windows Installer when the computer is in safe mode. This is true if you are troubleshooting an issue that concerns installing or uninstalling a program that uses Windows Installer. For more information about how to enable the Windows Installer service, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
895141 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/895141/) How to start Windows Installer in safe mode in Windows Server 2003
Troubleshoot an application that runs incorrectly on a Windows Vista-based computer
To troubleshoot an application that stops during installation, an application that does not run after installation, or an application that produces an error message after installation, follow these steps as appropriate for the situation.
Step 1: Visit the application Web site of the vendor
If the vendor indicates that the version of the application is compatible with Windows Vista, continue to step 4. Otherwise, see whether the vendor provides any of the following options for the application: • Updates to make the version compatible with Windows Vista
• A version that is compatible with Windows Vista
• Information about how to upgrade to a compatible version
• The most recent operating system that supports the application
Note If the vendor provides the last option, continue to step 4. You must have this information to configure the Program Compatibility settings.
Step 2: Visit the Microsoft Marketplace Web site
If the Web site of the vendor does not provide compatibility information, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/ (http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/)
Note If this Web site does not list the application, the application has not been tested for compatibility with Windows Vista.
Step 3: Uninstall the application, and then reinstall the application
If the following conditions are true, you must uninstall the application, and then reinstall the application: • The application was installed and ran correctly by using an earlier version of Windows.
• The application does not run after you upgrade to Windows Vista.
To do this, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, type appwiz.cpl in the Start Search box.
2. In the Programs list, click appwiz.cpl.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
3. Click the application in the list of programs, and then click Uninstall/Change.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
4. Follow the instructions that are displayed to uninstall the program.
Note If the Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) starts automatically, click Uninstall using recommended settings.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.
5. Reinstall the application by using the original media.
If this step does not work, continue to the next step.
Step 4: Run the application in compatibility mode
If the application worked correctly on the computer before you upgraded to Windows Vista, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, and then type <MyApp> in the Start Search box.
Note <MyApp> represents the name of the application that you want to run in compatibility mode.
2. In the Programs list, right-click <MyApp>, and then click Properties.
3. On the Compatibility tab, click to select the check box that is next to Run this program in compatibility mode for.
4. In the drop-down list box, select the operating system that the application ran on previously, and then click OK.
If the application does not work after you follow these steps, continue to the next step.
Step 5: Run the application as an administrator
To run the application as an administrator, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, and then type <MyApp> in the Start Search box.
2. In the Programs list, right-click <MyApp>, and then click Run as administrator.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.
Notes
<MyApp> represents the name of the application that you want to run as an administrator.
If the application does not run after you follow these troubleshooting steps, it may not be compatible with Windows Vista.
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APPLIES TO
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Business 64-bit EN
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition
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Keywords: kbappcompatibility kbexpertisebeginner kbhowto KB927386
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