How to fix app compatibility problems on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can use the compatibility mode settings to fix problems with applications that were designed for an older version of Windows.

Although the operating system conserves backward compatibility for many applications, some legacy apps may still not work correctly on Windows 11, causing different problems. For instance, the app may experience crashes or freezes as you try to run it, conflict with File Explorer or another program, show rendering issues, or not open at all.

While it’s best always to run new apps designed for Windows 11 (or Windows 10), if you come across problems, the “Compatibility Mode” feature lets you emulate different environments to allow the app to run normally.

This guide will teach you the steps to enable compatibility mode on any application that wasn’t designed for Windows 11.

• Change app compatibility mode automatically on Windows 11
• Change app compatibility mode manually on Windows 11
• Change app compatibility mode with troubleshooter on Windows 11

Change app compatibility mode automatically on Windows 11

To fix app compatibility problems with Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.

2. Search for the problematic app, right-click the top result, and choose the “Open folder location” option.

   

3. Right-click the app executable file and select the Properties option.

   

4. Click the Compatibility tab.

5. Click the “Run compatibility troubleshooter” button.

   

6. Click the “Try recommended settings” option.

   

7. Click the “Test the program” button to see if the compatibility mode fixes the problem.

   

8. Click the “Next” button if the app is working correctly.

9. Click the “Yes, save these settings for this program” option.

10. (Optional) Click the “No, try again using different settings” option to test different settings until the problem is resolved.

11. Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, the application should run without any more issues on Windows 11.

Change app compatibility mode manually on Windows 11

To change the app compatibility mode manually, use these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for the problematic app, right-click the top result, and choose the “Open folder location” option.

   

3. Right-click the app executable file and select the Properties option.

   

4. Click the Compatibility tab.

5. Under the “Compatibility mode” section, check the “Run this program in compatibility mode for” option.

   

6. Choose the version of Windows that the application supports, such as Windows 8, 7, or Vista.

7. Click the Apply button.

8. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the compatibility settings will apply to resolve the problem with the legacy application.

It’s important to note that in the “Compatibility” tab, under the “Settings” section, you will find additional advanced settings that will apply to specific scenarios. Usually, you will only change these settings when dealing with a very old application.

The “Reduce color mode” option allows you to change the bit color to 8 or 16, depending on the application’s requirements if it doesn’t support 32-bit color.

If the program was designed for a specific screen resolution, you might need to check the “Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution” option.

In the case that the problem happens when using the app in full-screen mode, you can try checking the “Disable fullscreen optimizations” option.

Some applications require administrative privileges to run without issues. If this is the case, instead of having to allow the app every time you run it, you can check the “Run this program as an administrator” option.

You can learn more about the ICC color management setting in this guide.

Finally, if you are dealing with high DPI problems on a specific application, click the “Change high DPI settings” button. And then, check the “Use this setting to fix scaling problems for this program instead of the one in Settings” option. Choose when to apply the settings when logging in or opening the application.

Also, change the “Override high DPI scaling behavior” option to “Application,” “System,” or “System (Enhanced).”

When changing these settings, it’s better to apply one option at a time and test until you arrive at the correct configuration since no specific configuration will address the problem.

Change app compatibility mode with troubleshooter on Windows 11

To run the troubleshooter to compatibility issues with an app on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the Troubleshoot tab.

4. Click the Other troubleshooters setting.

   

5. Click the Run button for the “Program Compatibility Troubleshooter” setting.

   

6. Click the Advanced option.

7. Click the “Run as administrator” option.

8. Select the application from the list.

   

   Quick note: If the app isn’t on the list, select the “Not listed” option and continue with the on-screen directions or use the previous instructions to complete the task manually.

9. Click the Next button.

10. Click the “Try recommended settings” option.

    

11. Click the “Test the program” button to see if the compatibility mode fixes the problem.

    

12. Click the Next button if the app is working correctly.

13. Click the “Yes, save these settings for this program” option.

14. Click the Close button.

Once you complete the steps, the troubleshooter will apply the new compatibility settings, allowing you to run the application even if it wasn’t designed for Windows 11.