How to set compatability mode in Windows Vista ( Improves performance of some older software programs )

Sometimes when using Windows Vista, you will experience problems with some older programs you may use. There is no need to feel frustrated with your Vista operating system if you learn the handy tricks that were built into the system. Vista is a suprisingly flexible platform once you get used to it. The following will instruct you on how to work around some of the software conflicts Vista can present. By placing your programs in what is called "Compatability Mode" you can turn a problem into a smoothly running program once more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Vista 32 or 64 bit
• Basic Computer Skills

1. First you will need to locate the exe file for the game that will not run. Most of the time the icon will be on your desktop. If the program' s .exe file is not upon your desktop then you will have to search for it by using the search feature. If you are using the normal setup just click on the Start Icon and at the very bottom you will see Start Search. Just type in the name of the program and it will find the folder for you. If you are using classic view go to Start then you will see the search feature and just type in the name of the program.
2. Once you find the .exe that runs the program, right click on it and go to properties. You will see a window open up. At the top you will discover some tabs which may read like this: General, Shortcut, Compatibility, Security, and last Details. Click on the compatibility tab to open up that tab. Now you should see a new window, you will be looking for a box that says 'Run this program in compatibility for'
3. Place a check mark there and the grayed out box will light up. Now depending on how old the program is, if it worked with windows XP then you will want to set it as Windows XP (Service Pack 2). After you have done that click Apply at the bottom and then click on OK to exit the program. Now just click on the program .exe and it should run as stated.

Tips & Warnings

• This may not work for every program, you may have to try an earlier version of windows under the compatibility mode.
• You may have to also update the program in order for it to run properly under windows.
• It is possible you may have to also choose to "Run this program as an administrator" under the Compatibility tab, under Privilege Level, click on the box that says Run this program as an administrator. Apply and then click on OK.