I plan to buy a new pc which give me the option of having windows xp or windows vista, Id like the new windows but i want to be able to play my old games.
2007-12-24 16:04:43 · 5 answers · asked by ? 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Some will, some won't.
Make Older Programs Run in this Version of Windows (Vista)
Source: http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/bf416877-c83f-4476-a3da-8ec98dcf5f101033.mspx
Most programs written for Windows XP also work in this version of Windows, but some older programs might run poorly or not at all. If a program written for an earlier version of Windows doesn't run correctly, use the Program Compatibility Wizard to change the compatibility settings for the program. To change settings for a program manually, use the individual program's Compatibility tab.
If changing the settings does not fix the problem, go to the program manufacturer's website to see if there is an update for the program.
Caution: Do not use the Program Compatibility Wizard on older antivirus programs, disk utilities, or other system programs because it might cause data loss or create a security risk.
Run the Program Compatibility Wizard
1. Open the Program Compatibility Wizard by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then clicking Use an older program with this version of Windows.
2. Follow the instructions in the wizard.
If you cannot install a program, insert the installation disc for the program and, using the wizard, browse to the program's setup file, usually called Setup.exe, Install.exe, or something similar. The wizard is not designed to work on programs that have an .msi file name extension.
To change compatibility settings manually for a program, right-click the icon for the program, click Properties, and then click the Compatibility tab.
Go to the source link for more information.
2007-12-24 16:36:36 · answer #1 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can play most of them if you have Home Premium or Ultimate.
When you install a game, right click on the shortcut or the .exe file for the game. Select properties and then go to the compatablity tab. You can choose to play the game in older versions of Windows going back all the way to Win95.
All my games were written for WinXP, Win2k or Win98 and I have been able to play them on my Vista Home Premium computer.
2007-12-25 00:22:20 · answer #2 · answered by Fed-up 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO they won't directly out of the box. Vista is lacking a crucial older game engine. many games from XP will not work on vista unless you get it. I belive it is on the microsoft website but i do not own vista so i wouldn't know.
I suggest get vista because of the direct X 10 support and play your older games on your older pc.
2007-12-25 00:08:39 · answer #3 · answered by David S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some of them won't especially the really old ones for win 98. i doubt too if they will be making any patches for it to work on vista as they are a bit outdated and illogical considering the makers will be shelling out time and bucks for the patches to be made.
2007-12-25 00:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by zeven77 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have gotten final fantasy 7 to work and it is from like 1997, i got star craft, diablo ,and diablo 2,war craft 2. they all work all you have to do to fix it is right click on the .exe file then click run as administrator, and check the compatibility mode and change it to windows xp sp2
2007-12-25 00:15:31 · answer #5 · answered by Colin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋