In Windows it is in some cases possible to play old computer games or run software, for example. Various functions are available in Windows for this, such as being able to run apps in a certain compatibility mode.
Compatibility mode runs the program with the settings from an earlier version of Windows. Try this setting if you know the program was designed for (or worked with) a specific older version of Windows.
There are several reasons why certain old software no longer works in Windows 11 or 10. This could be, for example, if games or software are designed to to be carried out in MS DOS. What we often see with old MS-DOS games is that they shoot across the screen very quickly.
Also software that depends on old ones system files that are no longer available in the current Windows version no longer work in Windows. In some cases you can still install the DLL or OCX file, it depends on which file the old software depends on. You can often find older system files on the internet.
If certain software or games are signed with Digital rights management (DRM), such as SecuROM or SafeDisk, this can also cause problems when running this type of software. The software often does not want to start. There is no solution for this in modern Windows 10 or 11. Microsoft deliberately no longer supports this.
Using Old Games or Software in Windows 11 or 10
Run software as Administrator
The first thing you should try is to run the software or game as Administrator. A lot of old software depends on administrator rights. In Windows 11 or 10, software is sometimes restricted, running as administrator gives the old software all rights and thus removes this restriction. After this, the old software may start.
Right-click on the executable (.exe) file and click “Run as Administrator”.
You should always run old software as administrator. This may prevent problems.
Compatibility mode
To run outdated software in Windows 11 or 10, you can use compatibility mode. This is a way to run software in a mode for an outdated Windows version.
You can run software through compatibility mode for:
- Windows 95
- Windows 98
- Windows ME
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
- Windows 8
Right-click the executable (.exe) file and click on the “compatibility” tab. Then select the option “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select the desired operating system.
For example, if you know that the outdated software ran under Windows 7 in the past, then choose Windows 7. Click Apply and then OK. Then start the software as administrator.
If this didn't work then you can try the problem solver for compatibility. Right-click on the executable (.exe) file again and click “properties”. Then click on the “Compatibility” tab and click on the “Run Compatibility Troubleshooter” button.
Then let Windows use the recommended settings and check whether the old software now starts in Windows 11 or 10.
Disable driver signatures
In Windows 11 and 10, Windows enforces that drivers must have digital signatures. It sometimes happens that old software uses drivers that are not digitally signed. This causes the software to not start.
You can disable forcing digital signatures for drivers through the advanced boot options. This way you can install non-digitally signed drivers including the old software and then restart the computer and this feature will be enabled again.
Start the computer in the advanced boot options. Then click on “solve problems”. Then click on “Advanced options” and then on “Startup settings” and click on “Restart”.
Choose the option “Disable Enforcing Driver Signatures”.
Now install the old software that needs outdated or no digital signature drivers. Then restart your computer back to Windows 11 or 10.
As a final tip you would like to add one can use a virtual machine to install an outdated Windows version. You can then start the software or the old computer game here. It's not ideal, but it works in many cases.
I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!