Getting Older Programs to Run
Rob Tidrow, Jim Boyce, Jeffrey R. Shapiro · 2017
This chapter focuses on techniques for getting older programs to work in Windows 10. Windows 10 offers several tools to help with compatibility issues. A couple of types of programs can be considered “old” in the context of the chapter: Disk Operating System (DOS) programs; and 16-bit Windows programs. DOS commands are included as part of the Windows package, instead of being developed and marketed by third parties. The chapter covers some of the DOS commands. To install an older program, first try installing it normally. If Windows 10 determines that the program is older, user sees the Program Compatibility Assistant. The Program Compatibility Troubleshooter provides a step-by-step means of configuring and testing an older program so that it runs in Windows 10. The Program Compatibility Wizard provides an easy way to choose and test settings for program compatibility. Those settings are stored on the Compatibility tab of the program file's properties sheet.