Understanding Compatibility Mode
Most new software programs are certified as “Windows 8 compatible,” meaning they can be installed and run without mishap on any Windows 8 system. But what about older programs that were coded before Windows 8 was released? They can be a bit more problematic. Although Microsoft takes great pains to accommodate older software, it’s inevitable that some of those legacy programs will either be unstable while running under Windows 8 or they won’t run at all.
Why do such incompatibilities arise? One common reason is that the programmers of a legacy application hardwired certain data into the program’s code. For example, installation programs often poll the operating system for its version number. If an application is ...
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