How to make older programs work in Windows 10
Since its release, Windows 10 has been gaining more and more users, but there are still some aspects of the operating system that can be a little annoying. Something quite recurring is that certain older programs do not work as well or suffer from bugs and compatibility issues. Fortunately, there are some tips that can solve this in certain cases, as you can see on our list below!
1. Run as administrator
It may sound simple, but the simple action of running a program as an administrator can solve the problem if it is not running normally. To do this, just right-click on the software icon and choose the option “Run as administrator”.
This is because many applications and programs developed for Windows XP still work on newer versions of the system, except that in the past these programs were programmed to work with access from the PC administrator account. Therefore, this should be one of your first steps when a program is not running correctly.
2. Use a virtual machine
One of the best things about Windows 7 is that it included a specific mode for Windows XP, which made almost everything work perfectly on the system. Unfortunately, the same is not true of Windows 10 natively, but you can install a virtual machine on your PC yourself for a similar result.
In this case, the best option is VirtualBox (which can be downloaded from this link), as it is very functional, easy to use and can solve most problems with older software.
3. Compatibility Settings
Because Windows itself includes compatibility settings to make older programs work, you can also appeal to this feature. To do this, go to the icon of the program in question, right-click and choose the "Properties" option.
In the new window that opens, select the "Compatibility" tab to proceed. So just check the box labeled “Run this program in compatibility mode” and choose which version of Windows in which this software actually works.
Finally, just click "Apply" and "Ok" to see if the software works with this setting. Depending on the program, you can also search the internet for a specific setting that makes it run correctly.
4. DRM Programs
If today it is possible to verify a pirated copy only with the internet, in the past developers had to resort to other means. In this case, they used what is known as SafeDisc or DRM, which were digital ways to check and prevent piracy of their creations.
Windows 10 doesn't currently run games or programs that use this system, which is a good thing as it only fills your system with unnecessary things. The downside is not being able to leverage the software in question, but there is still hope in some cases.
If you have an old DRM software or game CD or DVD, it is best to set it aside as there is nothing to do. What you can try is to search the internet for digital versions that no longer have DRM included, something increasingly common. If it's a more popular program, you're likely to find it.
5. Software that requires Java, Silverlight, ActiveX, etc.
With the arrival of Windows 10, Microsoft is finally retiring the old, outdated Internet Explorer, but it can still be quite useful with older software. We say this because Microsoft Edge (the new default Windows browser) does not support Java, Silverlight, ActiveX, and other older technologies.
Because many older programs and applications require these features, it is worthwhile to have Internet Explorer installed on your Windows. After all, it has compatibility and support for these and other older features.
Did you like these tips for Windows 10?
Did you take advantage of our tips for getting older programs to work on your Windows 10? So don't forget to leave your comment telling us if everything went well or if you had any difficulty.
