Windows 7 XP compatibility mode

[Liam101]

Just a thought, but as far as I can understand regarding Windows new operating sytem, XP compatibility mode is just in the Professional and Ultimate versions of Windows 7. For the most of us who will eventually upgrade from XP Home Edition to Windows 7 Home Premium which hasn't got the XP compatibility mode, what happens to all our games that operate under XP only?

Does this mean that we lose the ability to re-install and play all the games that had previously been purchased and installed on the XP PC, or what? If it does then it would be a waste of time upgrading as I certainly would not pay the extortionate prices for the Professional or Ultimate versions in order to get the XP compatibility mode so that I can play all my games which I presently hold.

Anybody confirm this?

[mart]

The chances are that most programs used with XP will install and run without issue under Windows 7. For those programs that won't, there is still a compatibility mode included in Home Premium. This isn't to be confused with 'XP Mode (XPM)'. This is more for those in the business environment. It shouldn't be needed by the home user for games and other programs that we might want to install and run.

If Windows 7 finds it can't install a program directly, it will offer a compatibility setting. To install a program using a compatibility setting in Home Premium:

* Right click on the program's .exe,
* Select 'Properties'.
* Click on the 'Compatibility' tab.
* See the options in the drop-down box.

(I had only one program where this was necessary.)

[Liam101]

Thanks Mart.

This clears it up. When seeing that the XP compatibility mode was not in Home Premium, but only in the two more expensive packs, this caused me great concern. As I have invested in lots of games and programs over the years that only run in XP, there was absolutely no way that I was going to lose them by upgrading to Windows 7, but this helps.

Thanks.

[mart]

I had the same concern when I read about XPM but then I also knew about the installation compatibility setting because I'd been using the beta and release candidates of Windows 7. I was pleased to see it was also there in the final version of Home Premium.

I don't think this guarantees that all games and other programs will be OK in Windows 7 but it does mean they will install. I had one program (Xara Xtreme vector drawing program) that refused to attempt installation. Windows 7 Home Premium then offered a recommended compatibility setting and the installation procedure started. The program now runs OK apart from one small glitch that can be lived with.

Bejeweled Twist (a game) installed without issue but keeps freezing unless run in a Window (rather than full-screen). I've read others have the same problem. So, slight reserve about all programs running flawlessly is perhaps in order. Browsers run fine as does MS Office Home and Student, Norton 2010 and quite a few other programs I have. I'm not sure if the problems I found are because my computer is old or because the mentioned programs are just a little incompatible.

[Liam101]

Thanks Mark. That is worth noting.