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How to use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to Test Application Compatibility on Windows 11

Posted on 18/11/202311/08/2026 Temitope Odemo By Temitope Odemo No Comments on How to use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to Test Application Compatibility on Windows 11
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The Program Compatibility feature on Windows 11 can be used to fix compatibility problems that are caused as a result of applications that were designed for an older version of Windows. I shall be showing you How to use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to Test Application Compatibility on Windows 11. In this guide, I will be showing you How to use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to Test Application Compatibility on Windows 11. Please see how to Enable Internet Explorer Mode in Edge in Windows 11.

Windows 11 operating system will provide backward compatibility for many legacy applications that could cause your system to experience crashes or freezes as you try to run it, conflict with File Explorer or another program, or may not even open.

While it is recommended to run new apps specifically designed for Windows 11, when you come across problems, the “Program Compatibility Troubleshooter” feature will allow you to run the application normally. You can also read on How to Pause Windows Update via Windows Settings, How to alter a DATABASE compatibility level, and How to Enable a Pre-Boot BitLocker PIN on Windows

Steps to Test Application Compatibility on Windows 11

1: Open Start on Windows 11 Search for the problematic app and right-click it, select the “Open folder location” option.

How-to-use-the-Program-compatibility-troubleshooter-to-test-application-compatibility-on-Windows-11-location

2. Right-click the application executable file and select the Properties option.

How-to-use-the-Program-compatibility-troubleshooter-to-test-application-compatibility-on-Windows-11-properties

3. Click the Compatibility tab and click the “Run compatibility troubleshooter” button.

How-to-use-the-Program-compatibility-troubleshooter-to-test-application-compatibility-on-Windows-11-compatibility

4. On the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter page Click the “Try recommended settings” option.

How-to-use-the-Program-compatibility-troubleshooter-to-test-application-compatibility-on-Windows-11-troubleshoot

5. The next step is to click the “Test the program” button and check if the compatibility mode problem will be resolved.

test-program

6. Click the “Next” button if you notice the app is working perfectly and click the “Yes, save these settings for this program” option.

How-to-use-the-Program-compatibility-troubleshooter-to-test-application-compatibility-on-Windows-11

7. Click the “No, try again using different settings” this option is to test different settings until the compatibility issue is resolved.

You can select any problems you notice and click Next. This will further display some other issues based on your selection and you can once again click the Test the Program button.

what-problem-do-you-notice

Also, see How to correctly disable BitLocker on Windows Server, how to set up and Configure Office Online Server, and What is ADK, MDT, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM), Intune, Autopilot, and WSUS.

Changing the app compatibility mode manually on Windows 11

8. Right-click the application executable file again and select the Properties option. Under the  “Compatibility mode” section, check the “Run this program in compatibility mode for” option.

9. Select the version of Windows that the application supports, such as Windows 8, 7, or Vista. Click the Apply button and click the OK button.

How-to-use-the-Program-compatibility-troubleshooter-to-test-application-compatibility-on-Windows-11-mode

Changing the app compatibility mode with Troubleshooter

10. Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Click the Run button on Program Compatibility Troubleshooter menu.

troubleshooters

11. Select the program you are having compatibility problem with and click Next. This will lead you to Step 4. You can start following the steps until the problem is resolved.

select-program

Once you completed all the steps above, the application should run without any more issues on Windows 11.

FAQs

How do I run the Windows program compatibility troubleshooter?

In the search box on the taskbar, type the name of the program or app you want to troubleshoot. Right-click it and select Open file location. Right-click the program file, then select Properties. Next, select the Compatibility tab. Select Run compatibility troubleshooter.

How do I run incompatible apps on Windows 11?

Right-click on the app executable file and select the Properties option. Next, click the Compatibility tab. You would also click the “Run compatibility troubleshooter” button. Click the “Try recommended settings”

I hope you found this blog post on how to use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to Test Application Compatibility on Windows 11 Interesting and helpful. In case you have any questions do not hesitate to ask in the comment section.

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Windows, Windows Server Tags:Microsoft Windows, troubleshooting, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016

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