Where is application compatibility information located? Setting compatibility mode in Windows. Manually launch an old application in compatibility mode
The Compatibility Assistant monitors programs for known compatibility issues and can be useful for less experienced users. The information in this manual is intended for advanced users and administrators.
The screenshots in the article show Windows 7, but in Vista everything is done in the same way.
Disabling Compatibility Assistant on Local Machine
You may want to disable the assistant on your local machine. For example, when testing programs in various conditions for writing articles, this saves a lot of time.
Click the button Start, in the search field type services.msc and press Enter.
Now scroll down to Program Compatibility Assistant Services, click on it right click mouse and then click Stop.
In response, you will briefly see the Service Control window, which then disappears.
If you later decide to turn on the assistant, simply select Launch.
You may want to disable the assistant completely. To do this, in the drop-down menu in (screenshot above) select Properties and in the window that opens, in the drop-down list Startup type, select Disabled.
Disabling the Compatibility Assistant using the Local Group Policy Editor
Launch local editor group policy by typing gpedit.msc in the menu search field Start and press Enter.
Select Disable, then Apply and OK. Then close the Local Group Policy Editor.
We reiterate that we do not recommend disabling Compatibility Assistant for regular users. Disabling it may lead to conflicts software and system instability. However, experienced users and administrators can get a lot of time and stress saved from turning off the assistant.
On Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 operating systems, users may encounter the following message: “The program is running in compatibility mode.” Compatibility settings should be disabled as they may cause unwanted effects. Should you still launch the application?
To get rid of this message and run the application correctly, you should disable compatibility mode.
Disable compatibility mode
The process of disabling compatibility mode for all operating systems Windows systems 7 and above are the same. Therefore, we perform the following steps:
- Press “Win+R” and enter “msc”.
- The services window will open. In the list we find “Program Compatibility Assistant Service”.
- Double-click to open the service settings and click “Stop”.
- This service will be disabled until the next PC restart. To completely disable program compatibility mode, right-click on this service and select “Properties”.
- In the “General” tab, in the startup type, select “Disabled”.
Now the message asking you to disable compatibility mode will not appear. To enable the Program Compatibility Service back, we perform all the same steps, only set the value to “Enabled”.
Compatibility mode in the new operating system from Microsoft allows you to work with almost any software that ran on Windows XP, 7 or 8, but refuses to work in new version. However, sometimes it also introduces some disadvantages into working with programs. To eliminate inconveniences, the mode can and should be disabled, which is quite simple to do.
What's happened
Compatibility mode is what allows the operating system to run games or applications that worked well in previous versions, but do not run correctly in the current version of the system.
The check occurs automatically the first time a process is launched, and the system independently selects the optimal parameters that allow it to work more or less correctly. However, it also takes away the ability to configure the launch manually, which may be inconvenient for some users.
How to turn off
Compatibility mode is not always needed, so disabling automatic startup settings is possible in several variations:
- Complete service stop.
- Only for one application.
- Through the Group Policy Editor.
Stopping the service
Stopping compatibility checking and parameter setting completely will solve the problems this process causes once and for all. If necessary, you can always not only disable, but also enable the Assistant back.
To open all services, you need to launch the Run tool using the Win+R keyboard shortcut and enter the services.msc command.
Among the extensive list that appears after clicking “OK”, you need to find “Program Compatibility Assistant Service”. Select this line and then right-click on it. There are two possible scenarios here:
- Stop temporarily. This option will disable it only until the computer is restarted, then the Assistant will be enabled again. To do this, just click on “Stop” in the drop-down menu.
- Completely disable until required. Until the user manually turns on the Assistant, it will not work. In this case, you need to go to “Properties” in the same menu, and then in the “General” tab in the “Startup type” line, enable the “Disabled” option. After that, save the changes.
Shutdown for one program
Compatibility mode in Windows 10 can be stopped for specific application. This selective shutdown can be accomplished with a few simple steps:
- Right-click on the desired shortcut and click on “Properties”.
- Go to the section called “Compatibility” and uncheck the box where the frame is in the screenshot.
- Click OK and exit “Properties”.
Via Group Policy
To disable it using Group Policy, you need to enter the gpedit.msc command into the “Run” tool we already know (Win + R). After clicking “OK”, a new window called “Local Group Policy Editor” will open in front of the user. Here you need to find the “Administrative Templates” section, where you open “ Windows components" Then you need to click on the names in the sequence (highlighted in the screenshot).
After launch old version programs in the new version of Windows, the Program Compatibility Assistant reports problems and suggests fixing them the next time you run the program.
If compatibility problem is serious, the Program Compatibility Assistant may display a warning or block the program from starting. In that case possible solutions You can try to find problems on the Internet.
What changes does the Compatibility Assistant make?
This depends on the fault, however, all possible changes relate to the starting procedure Windows programs. No changes are made to the program itself.
For example, the Program Compatibility Assistant can resolve conflicts with User Account Control, new feature security of this Windows versions, which helps improve computer security.
The assistant can also run the program in a mode that simulates previous versions Windows. Changes made by the Program Compatibility Assistant are made automatically, without your participation.
How to enable or disable Compatibility Assistant
Setting up program compatibility can be done using Group Policy. More information Information about using Group Policy can be found on the Microsoft IT Pro website (the page may be in English).
Is it possible to run the Compatibility Assistant manually?
No. The Program Compatibility Assistant runs automatically when it detects an older version of a program that has compatibility issues.
However, if a program or installation file is working or installing incorrectly, you can use a separate but Windows-specific program compatibility troubleshooting solution.
Users of a personal computer who have operating systems 7, 8, 8.1 or 10 may see this type of message on the monitor during operation: “The program is running in compatibility mode.” Many people, especially inexperienced ones, are confused about what it is and how to run it in compatibility mode with Windows 7.
The following is alarming information that states that compatibility settings must be disabled, as they can lead to undesirable consequences for the operation of the computer. This is followed by clarifying information: “However, should you launch the application?”
What is compatibility mode inWindows 10
Computer equipment is a complex set with which we play games, run “heavy” applications and carry out a number of actions designed for comfortable use of a PC. Compatibility mode is the correct adaptation of the computer's operation if you have changed operating system for some reason.
For a clear example, let’s consider the case when you are a fan of one of the games on the Internet, you previously had Windows 7 installed on your PC, after a while you decided to improve your computer and installed Windows 10. Your game begins to act up and does not carry out your actions. It remains to understand the reason and solve the problem of how to enable compatibility mode in Windows 10.
In some cases, compatibility mode is not needed for the computer and then you need to disable it. It's important to remember that automatic setting launch is allowed in several options:
- The service has been completely stopped.
- It is necessary to check only one version of the program on a PC.
- It can be launched through the PC Group Policy Editor.
If you do not need to use at least one option, then you can safely disable compatibility mode.
How to stop compatibility mode inWWindows 7
To ensure that this service does not interfere with the work on your PC, it is enough to once and for all do a comprehensive job that will check for compatibility. If you disable the Assistant service, you can launch the program again at any time if the need arises.
To find out how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 7, you need to use the Run tool. To do this, you can use the location combination Win+R and enter the required command services.msc.
After we click the “OK” button, we will need to find “Program Compatibility Assistant Service” in the drop-down list. Select this option and right-click on this option. In this case, the development of one of two options is possible.
Don’t forget to confirm all actions using the “Save” or “Change” buttons.
Compatibility mode inWWindows 8 to turn off one program
To perform an action for one program on your PC, you do not need to turn on/off compatibility mode for all affected programs. Now all that remains is to solve the problem of how to disable compatibility mode in Windows 10 for one program.
Withdrawal via Group Policy
On your personal computer you can solve the question of how to turn off compatibility mode on Windows 7 by executing one command program like gpedit.msc. We carry out all actions using the previously worked out activation scheme “Run” (or Win + R). After the user confirms his action with the “OK” button, a pop-up window will appear in front of him, which will display the information “Local Group Policy Editor”.
In the same section, look for “Administrative Templates”, open the drop-down option “Windows Components” and click on the names in the following sequence:
Be sure to save and confirm all settings changes at the end of the process.