4 Ways to Run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter on Windows

Just because a developer built an application for an older version of Windows doesn't mean you can't run it on a newer version of the operating system. Through Compatibility Mode, you can easily run older programs without any problems most of the time.

However, if you do run into compatibility issues, don’t worry. Windows has a built-in tool that can help you diagnose and fix them easily. It’s called the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter, and this article will show you all the different ways you can run it.

1. Run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter using the context menu

The easiest way to run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter on Windows 10 is to simply right-click on the app and select Troubleshoot compatibility . If you're on Windows 11, you'll first have to click Show more options after right-clicking on the app to bring back the classic context menu, then select Troubleshoot compatibility .

This will immediately launch the tool and help you fix any compatibility issues you are having with the selected application.

2. Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter on the Troubleshoot page

Both Windows 10 and 11 have a Troubleshooting page in the Settings app where you can launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter. If you can't access the Troubleshooting page because the Settings app isn't working, read our guide on how to fix Windows Settings won't open .

On Windows 11

To run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter from Settings on Windows 11, start by pressing Win + I to open the Settings app. Next, click System on the left menu, then click Troubleshoot on the right.

On the Troubleshoot page , scroll down and click Other troubleshooters .

Scroll down to the Other section , find Program Compatibility Troubleshooter from the list of troubleshooters, then click the Run button next to it.

This will launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

On Windows 10

If you're using Windows 10, press Win + I to open the Settings app , then click Update & Security . Next, click Troubleshoot on the left menu, then click Additional troubleshooters on the right.

Find and click Program Compatibility Troubleshooter to expand it. Then, click the Run this troubleshooter button .

Now, you can use the tool to fix compatibility issues on Windows 10.

3. Run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter using Control Panel

Another way to launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter is through the Control Panel. To do so, start by pressing Win + S to open Windows Search, type control panel into the search box, and then click Control Panel in the search results.

Tip : You can also read our guide on how to open Control Panel on Windows for more methods of launching programs.

In Control Panel , select Programs , and then click the Run programs made for previous versions of Windows link .

This will launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

4. Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter using the desktop shortcut

If you use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter a lot, adding it to your desktop is a good way to keep it handy. To do so, right-click an empty space on your desktop, then click New > Shortcut to launch the Create Shortcut wizard .

Copy the text below:

%systemroot%\system32\msdt.exe -id PCWDiagnostic

Next, paste the text you just copied into the Create Shortcut wizard's text box, then click Next .

Name the shortcut Program Compatibility Troubleshooter , then click Finish to add the shortcut to the desktop.

Now when you double click on the newly created shortcut, you will launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.

The Program Compatibility Troubleshooter is sometimes the last resort to get older applications running on your current version of Windows. There are several ways to launch this handy tool, and this article has just shown you all of them in case one of them doesn’t work for you.