Windows Vista: Cannot Use Software made for Other Versions of Windows (or DOS)

Windows Vista: Cannot Use Software made for Other Versions of Windows (or DOS)

This document pertains to computers with Windows Vista.
Software does not open in Windows Vista.
Some DOS and Windows software not originally created for Windows Vista may not be fully compatible. Use the section Using compatibility mode to try and open the software.
Some software does not install or open correctly unless you are logged in with administrative privileges. If you are receiving messages about insufficient privileges while trying to open a software title, use the section Setting user privileges to open the software.

NOTE: Only the user who installed a program may have access to it. Log in as the user who installed a program to be sure you can see and run it.

Using compatibility mode
While in Windows Vista, open the Program Compatibility Wizard and follow the guided onscreen instructions. To use the Program Compatibility Wizard:

Click Start , and then click Help and Support.
Type Program Compatibility Wizard in the Search box, and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
Click Start the Program Compatibility Wizard, and then Click to open the Program Compatibility Wizard.
Click Next to start the wizard.
Select I want to choose from a list of programs, and then click Next.
Scroll through the list of software programs, select the software title you want, and then click Next.
Select an operating system that is recommended for this software program or that previously supported the program correctly, and click Next.
Select the recommended settings and click Next.

NOTE: If you do not know the settings, do not select any settings and click Next.
Select to run the program with Administrator privileges, and then click Next.
Click Next again to test your program with the new settings.
Click Finish to close the Program Compatibility Wizard window.
Try to open the software:

If the software opens and can be used, you are done.
If the software still fails, you can try repeating these steps and selecting a different compatible operating system. If all compatible versions of Windows are tried and it still fails, the software program is probably incompatible and may need to be replaced with a version that is compatible with Windows Vista.
Alternatively, if a software title is listed in the Windows Start menu, you can use these steps:

Click Start , and then All Programs.
Find the name of the software program that is having problems, right-click the name of the program and select Properties.
Click the Compatibility tab.
Select Run this program in compatibility mode for:.
Select a Windows version that meets the original system requirements for the software that you are trying to use; Windows 95 (Also for DOS software), Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, or Windows 2000.
Click Apply, and then OK.
The software program is now set to run in Compatibility mode.
Setting user privileges
If you are logged into a limited usage account, you may not be able to install or use some software programs. Log into an administrative account and install the software for all users on the system or add administrative privileges to a user account as follows:

NOTE: The first account that was originally set up should have administrative privileges. If you are unsure, try pressing CTR + Alt + Del from the desktop. Select Switch User. Select the Administrator account and enter the password, if needed.

Click Start , and then Control Panel.
In Control Panel, click User Accounts and Family Safety.
Click User Accounts, and then click Manage Accounts.
Select the account you want to use.
Click Change the account type.
Select Administrator.
Click Change Account Type.
The account type has been changed.