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General discussion

A very easy question please help

Feb 18, 2007 2:41AM PST

I want to know if ALL software that works on windows will work on vista. Basically, will vista run the same software that xp can run, or does the maker of the program need to make it compatible with vista? I am asking because there is a lot of open source/freeware software where the developers do not list if it is compatible with vista or not..

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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depends
Feb 18, 2007 2:50AM PST

well it depends really. If it says it is compatible with vista then it is but not all software / drivers are compatible with vista. if you try install somthing right click on the setup app and click run with adminstrator, this helped me install some xp software. but its really just trying to install it.

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Here's a list...
Feb 18, 2007 3:18AM PST

Most, but not all, software that ran on Windows XP will run on Vista. Software that, to some degree, integrated itself into the OS (think security applications) and/or modified system files (think customization programs) will have the most trouble. Drivers, on the other hand, are the biggest issue at this point since the vast majority need to be updated but manufacturers have been lagging behind. However, most developers are updating their software/drivers to be compatible with Vista if they need to, so only legacy or otherwise unsupported hardware/software will be left out in the cold. For a list of programs which are known to work (or not work) with Vista, click here, and here for the hardware list.

Hope this helps,
John