Wrap-Up
This chapter has focused on techniques for getting older programs to work in Windows 8. Windows 8 offers several tools to help with compatibility issues. Whether or not you have any luck with them depends on how old and how incompatible the program is. Most of your programs will run fine under Windows 8 with Compatibility Mode or Windows XP Mode. A few won’t, until you upgrade to the Windows 8 version, but those should be few and far between. The main points are as follows:
- Most programs written for Windows Vista and Windows 7 are already compatible with Windows 8 and require no special handling.
- When you attempt to install an older program, the Program Compatibility Assistant kicks in automatically to help out.
- The Program Compatibility Wizard helps you with installed programs that won’t start or run correctly.
- Compatibility settings are stored in the program file’s Properties sheet on the Compatibility tab.
- To use DOS commands in Windows 8 with minimal flack from UAC, choose Run As Administrator to open the Command Prompt window.
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