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General discussion

Is there a way to install older programs on Windows 10?

Feb 16, 2018 5:23PM PST

My old laptop had Windows 7 and I loaded the free Windows 10 on it and everything worked fine,which means the Microsoft Publisher 2007 was working as was the MS Word 97. The old laptop, 8 years old, was giving me problems and I bought a new laptop, which came with Win10 installed. I have not been able to install MS Publisher nor the Ms Word 97 on the new Windows. There is no new standalone MS Publisher program. Is there any way that I can install these programs on Win10? Thank you for your help.

--Submitted by Tom F.

Update from Tom F. via my inbox 2/23/2018

Thanks for your help. I do a monthly newsletter for a mobile home park so I don't need all the functions of a newer version. I will try the compatibility method. Meanwhile in searching thru my discs, I found a stand alone version of MS Publisher 2003, which I used years ago. It still works and appears to have all the functions that I normally use. I have the 25 digit authorizing code to prove it's mine. At 87 years old I don't choose to purchase or learn new programs. I was designing main frame computers when we thought 8.0 mb memory was great. Each bit was an iron donut with 3 wires running thru it. So much for history.

Again, Thanks for your response. I will try the compatibility mode (just to get rid of that annoying help paper clip).
TomF

Post was last edited on February 23, 2018 1:25 PM PST

Discussion is locked

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Cross-purposes?
Feb 24, 2018 1:37AM PST

There are actually two varieties of compatibility for Pre-2007 Office. One, as you describe here allows the older office versions to read and write the newer XML format files (docx, xlsx, etc.) or, I believe Open Document Format files. It's a compatibility package you can download free (shock horror!) from Microsoft and is still maintained, so you get updates to Office 2000, say, which apply to this file compatibility pack.

The other compatibility, which is what earlier posters are referring to, is the setting some programs have that can be specified either during installation or later in settings for the program, if you run into difficulties. This setting allows you to specify which OS version you wish to be compatible with, Win7 in Tom's case or XP, Vista, I suppose, and some even back to Win2000. It's this setting that Tom's earlier upgrade from Win7 to Win10 used to get the two programs working after the upgrade. For a new install, on his new computer, Tom just needs to follow the same route.

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Microsoft Compatibility Pack - Running Office 2000 on Win 10
Feb 24, 2018 9:57AM PST

A search for "Microsoft Compatibility Pack" took me here, note that it is being retired in April 2018.
www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3

Install this compatibility pack if you would like to open, edit, and save documents, workbooks, and presentations that were created in the newer versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

NOTE: The Office Compatibility Pack is being retired in April, 2018. At that time, it will no longer be available for download and will no longer receive security updates.

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MS Office
Feb 24, 2018 2:34AM PST

The first thing I do when I get a new Windows 10 computer.: UNINSTALL OFFICE 365 completely. Then you can install any other version of Office you want, whether Office 2002 or Office 2010. I have disks for both. Office 2010 was purchased on line, downloaded, and then put on a CD/DVD. Since it came with a key I can install it on any number of machines I want. Office 365 is a ripoff with their big subscription fees !

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Super Tetris circa 1985?
Feb 23, 2018 6:54PM PST

So glad that Tom F. got the help he asked for! He has to be one, cool nerd to have done this anyway. OK. I have been longing for the return of the Original Super Tetris. With the bombs and music, elephants dancing with a ball, etc. I tried all the compatibility programs forever, but no such luck. Nintendo Game Boy @1989, came out with a version of Tetris, by Alexy Paznitov, that I still use, but there is nothing like that original game! I happen to know , for sure, that girls love it. Try impressing me with your ability to revive my favorite game.

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Super Tetris
Feb 24, 2018 12:38PM PST
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I am looking into emulators for this reason
Feb 24, 2018 12:46PM PST

Basically I am going to see about getting some retro games going again and see how it goes. It looks like there are a ton of different ways to do this and emulators are needed. Remember the original NES and such games were not made to run on anything remotely similar to a modern computer. Keeping an old XP computer around wouldn't do anything for that purpose. Keeping them around to run old engineering or industrial software is another story as long as people recognize the limitations and don't try to use them online like a new unit. As I said I had to do this with a Windows 7 unit.

Many of the old games run TOO FAST on modern systems and these emulators have to slow down the CPU so that they can even be played. Many of the old Sierra games and such are like this.

Conor

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64 bit and 32 bit can create issues
Feb 23, 2018 6:55PM PST

Some older programs are no longer installable on windows 10.
The issue of 32 bit vs 64 bit comes into play for many of these programs.
Some just wont work on or install on 64 bit systems.
for instance I just had a customer that has hundreds of saved files in the format used by Works by Microsoft and needs that program to read them,(used win7 in the end) since nothing else will.
Neither version 8 or 8.5 Works would complete an install on the Win 10 64 bit pc.
However Works 9.0 supposedly will install with no issues.

If it lets you install , go for it.
As many mentioned you can use windows the compatibility feature when installing and also once install you can run the feature compatibility mode if you still have issues. Also if it says not signed software let it install anyhow as long as you are secure what the install is.

Good luck!

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I would like to use WordPerfect on my Windows 10 System
Feb 23, 2018 7:17PM PST

I used to use WordPerfect 5.1, which is an old program. But I loved using it because of its ease of use, especially the thesaurus function, which allowed me to easily find the right words that I wanted to use. I had the DOS version, but I would be willing to use the Windows version if I can find a copy. Can a program this old still be used with Windows 10?

Burt

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WPDOS on Win10
Feb 23, 2018 11:06PM PST

Apparently, there is. Take a look here.

I seem to remember that with WP X5, there was a way to switch to a mode that looked and operated like WPDOS 5.1. I don't know if the current version (XCool also has this feature, but if it does, it might be worth it to have, since you can always switch to the back windows format when you want to.

Also, you can ask over on WordPerfect Universe, a forum dedicated to WordPerfect questions, all versions. Just glancing over their topics, I think your question may already have been asked and answered. Good luck.

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DOS programs in Windows 10
Feb 24, 2018 3:58AM PST

If you want to run your DOS version of WordPerfect, there are ways to make it work on a Windows 10 system. Try a search for "How to run DOS programs on Windows 10."
The method will be different for a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10. For a 64-bit OS, you can install and run a virtual DOS window. For a 32-bit Windows 10, the procedure is more simple. There is no guarantee that everything will work, but if you love WordPerfect it could be worth the trouble.

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Use Oracles Free VirtualBox For Windows
Feb 23, 2018 7:18PM PST

One method you might try is to have a virtual machine running Windows 7 and run your older software on that virtual machine works for me running Linux Mint 18.3 with Windows 7 in a virtual machine. I can run all my windows programs in that and keep a clean backup copy of the VM file in case it gets bricked by a virus

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Not mindlessly simple, but not impossible either
Feb 23, 2018 7:51PM PST

I have installed older versions of Microsoft Office, once for an office of a truly improverished local government and other times for people on a really short budget.

Like other postings here, I have to advocate for free LibreOffice 6.0, setting its default options so that it saves documents, spreadsheets and presentations in Microsoft's newer x format, i.e. docx, xlsx, pptx. That way, if you ever have to email documents to someone else who happens to use Office, they will receive the documents and be able to read and edit them. I use Microsoft Office on my main computer, but I'll be darned if I'll pay for Office again to run on my best laptop or the old one I use for travel.

Google DOCS is another free for home computing option rather than Office. I have used it when working on some school volunteer projects and it is OK for me.

But, if you persist, there is one caveat. Microsoft has rigged up Windows 10, like 8 and 7 before it, so that when you put an older Office CD into an optical drive, Windows simply behaves like there is nothing there. If you run into this situation, no problemo. Go to an older computer and copy the contents of the CD onto a flash memory stick, and run the SETUP.EXE from flash. And then, too, there is compatibility mode for really old versions of Office.

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(NT) Running older programs under W19
Feb 24, 2018 12:57AM PST
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Running older programs under W10
Feb 24, 2018 1:06AM PST

If compatibility mode doesn't work, there's another way that usually works unless there are some specialized drivers required.

Take your "legal" copy of the older OS, and install it as a virtual machine under something like VMWare or Virtual Box. Then start that virtual machine and install the older programs in that environment.

I was able to install an old copy of Corel Draw and a cordless phone app that wouldn't run on anything newer than XP.

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Is there a way to install older programs on Windows 10?
Feb 24, 2018 5:07AM PST

I don't know about Word 97 but I have an old Office 2000 and I installed it into Windows 10 without any problems. It didn't even ask for the license key (although I have it) It just installed. So I have the whole Office suite 2000 on Win 10 and everything works.

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re: Is there a way to install older programs on Windows 10?
Feb 24, 2018 5:23AM PST

Maybe I'm missing something, but I have installed Office Suite 97 Pro in 4 or 5 new laptops running W10 without any problem. I have my original discs and the code so things go smoothly. I also run Apache Open Source but the 97 Office version does everything I need it to do. Also, I have been using Office 97 since it came out and I know where everything is without searching. Sometimes I wonder if the powers at MS understand the value of familiarity as every time MS comes out with a new version of "whatever" I sometimes lose hours searching for something I used to have access to. An example of this is the Glidepad settings in W10. Previous versions allowed users to adjust or turn off the zones the edges of the glidepad. That adjustability no longer exists. But that's another topic. Sorry.

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Ever considered virtual machines?
Feb 24, 2018 8:31AM PST

I've used compatibility mode in Win10 many times and have had good luck and about the same amount of bad luck ... even had good working versions go bad after a major Windows upgrade as well (like the Creators Fall update for example). Personally, I find it just too frustrating to deal with most of the times but for a one-off sometimes compatibility mode is your best bet.

However, for those looking for an alternative ...

What I never seem to have any issues with is virtual machines. I even have a VM of my old Windows XP Pro SP3 desktop running in an Oracle VirtualBox VM just so I can use my old copy of QuickBooks Pro (because I won't pay Intuit a dime for upgrades that don't do anything for me).

What I like about the VM is that I have the exact same desktop I was used to, can run the old programs without grief and can still attach local drives/folders to the VM for accessing things like my QuickBooks company file ... best of all I can restrict it or for lack of better expression, Sandbox it, so I don't have to worry about exploits and more current threats that could compromise an XP system running in the wild.

If you want something that might work try Compatibility Mode if you want a solution create a Virtual Machine.

I wouldn't get too worked up about the 'how do I' part of VM's ... products like VirtualBox make it easy for even novice users to get a virtual machine up and running. Furthermore, a quick search on the web will reveal several tutorials (with step-by-step pics) that walk you through the whole process.

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try google
Feb 24, 2018 9:18AM PST

Another alternative is to try the office software developed by google. It works great, as far as I'm concerned, and I can use it to run MS office 10 apps.

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Win 10 Should Have The Same Look As XP
Feb 24, 2018 11:18AM PST

I would switch to Windows 10 from Windows 7 if it had the same look as Win7. Windows 10, IMHO is designed mainly for tablets and MS decided not to provide a classic option as they did with previous OS's. As it is, I have an issue regarding 32 Bit Windows 7 that it will not execute any WOW16 applications installed onto my new Intel i7 computer. However the 16 bit applications will run on older HP computers that I have with Win7 installed. My intention was to make my new computer a replacement for my (old) current HP computers in my possession and retire them. This looks like it will not be the case. I would not bring this issue up if I could upgrade the 16 bit Windows applications that are troublesome (will not execute) on the new i7 computer. These applications have no replacement or upgrade path. The main issue stems from a MS emulator named NTDVM. When I attempt to execute a 16 bit program, it tries to load (hour glass icon) and stalls and won't run. The processes area of the Windows Task Manager indicates that ntdvm.exe has been activated but not the application. It seems to me a WOW16 emulator or a patch that will work on an Intel i7 (generation 6 processor) based computer is what's needed to solve my (and many others) issue with 16 bit Windows apps.

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Try Classic Shell!
Feb 24, 2018 11:27AM PST

Classic Shell is a WONDERFUL program for making Windows 10 look like an older version. I use it all the time when customers upgrade and they are happy with it.

Yes, I think emulators are a great option as well. I am looking to make a unit out of an old all-in-one PC that got left behind to play all kinds of old console, arcade, and DOS based games. There are plenty of emulators to do this but I haven't had any time to play around with this project as I have been too busy with work.

I have some older software that won't run on 32 or 64 bit Windows 10. I have an older laptop around with Win 7 32 bit and so far it has run everything I need. Otherwise I may put an emulator on that unit as well.

Conor

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Classic Shell Tried
Feb 24, 2018 1:00PM PST

Classic shell is a great program that's unfortunately not supported anymore. You would think that MS would just provide the feature as part of Win 10. Does everyone want their PC to look like a tablet? Anyway, the issue stems from Intel generation six processors not being compatible with WOW16 apps.

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Libre office has support - old MS versions do not.
Feb 24, 2018 11:23AM PST

Libre Office is still actively being supported and updated. MS Office 2007 and older are not! I find Libre Office very usable so suggest it. Sure, if you are making a newsletter for an apartment complex or whatever and don't have the computer on the internet, the old version is probably fine. I just see too many horror stories because people don't keep their software updated. Equifax is a good example of this on a grand scale. Most anyone reading this was probably impacted by that breach.

I used to keep older units around in case people wanted them but I found that these people were often the cheap skates all around and wanted a Cadillac Escalade for the price of an old Escort. It just wasn't worth it. I have been moving more and more into the commercial side of things and don't have time for this and dealing with people who want to use something that is a security liability for important information, then try to blame ME when something doesn't go right which is usually most of the time. I can tell them all the issues this might cause and they want it done anyway and are OK with the risks but then seem to forget all about this when something does wrong wrong and then demand I fix them up right and for free. I would rather send this outdated equipment off to the crusher for proper recycling than expose personal data and deal with these kinds of problems.

I brought home two older XP systems that a customer left me with yesterday. They may work as well as the day they were purchased but I didn't even check. I used an electric drill to remove all the screws and drives, then sorted all the components into categories. Motherboards go one place, CPUs another, as do the RAM, finger cards (video cards, NICs, modems, sound cards, etc.). The still housings and any brackets get recycled as scrap tin.

Sure, I could sell these for a few bucks but my time is better spent working on customers who are willing to pay to have things done right. Then there is the fact that the people who would buy these for $50 or whatever would expect a $500 computer for that price. The people who pay the least always expect the most.

I tried to donate them to charity for a while. I went in to several of the local ones in town and told them what I had and that I could basically get them an endless supply of these systems. They told me that they would go straight into the dumpster and that if I could find a use or way of recycling them, they would much prefer that. I told them I can get them recycled.

Then come the Windows 7 units. I have several of them as well and might have like one charity that will take them off my hands. If they don't I will probably recycle all but the best of them as well.

Basically any system that comes in that isn't capable of running Windows 10 goes straight to the crusher. Any single core goes to the crusher even though many of these can be upgraded to 10. Even a few lower-end duals have gone to the crusher as well. So many systems are handed over one a weekly basis that I can't store them all and they become scrap if even charities have no use for them.

Conor

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Virtual box
Feb 24, 2018 1:09PM PST

You can download virtual Box and install it on your windows 10 system
And then install your old OS And run it in virtual Box after you got the old OS running
Install office 97 you won't have to worry about security updates because nothing can get in the Box
a system running in a system So enjoy have fun Learning how to use virtual box it's not hard

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Try a Virtual Machine
Feb 24, 2018 10:05PM PST

If your laptop uses a processor that's capable (V-PRO) you could try setting up a Virtual Machine and run that environment under Windows 7 or even XP. It's a good idea to set up a partition on your hard drive for the exclusive use of the VM, and when you have, just install your software into the VM, and hey presto - you should be able to run it with no problems. A VM basically sets up another computer that it saves onto your hard drive, and when you run it, everything just appears as it was when you left it. If you've got a lot of valuable files or software, you must really make sure you back up the VM partition in case of disk failure, but it's worked for me for some time.

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There BETTER be a way! more reasons to run old programs
Feb 25, 2018 3:43AM PST

Right now I'm happily running Windows 7 on my laptop, with Windows XP mode for all my necessary old programs, like the old version of "Pretty good solitaire" (from before they lost the rights to the classic card face!) and Quicken 2003 (the last one that didn't insist you put your precious financial data on THEIR website, and supports my old QIF files). Also old on my system is Office 97, not only free but more importantly word/excell I can make dance and sing, along with Access which has all the financial apps I need written by me!
I use every one of these every day, and would be lost without them. Fingers crossed that my current laptop keeps on ticking until I'm completely over to a smartphone with a docking station!
Seriously, we even have an old travel laptop that runs tetris.
I'm adding this info to assuage the people who think you don't need to run old programs. The day I turn my financials over to Intuit I hope someone takes my mouse away.

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Secrets to installing older programs - and why you shouldn't
Feb 25, 2018 10:00PM PST

Tom,
I understand your reluctance to buy a newer version of Microsoft Office -- but I've got to tell you that Office 365 is a sheer pleasure to use compared to the 1997 versions of the applications. In addition, the '97 versions are quite insecure and pose a danger to you in everyday use as a number of other folks have pointed out here.

If you're reluctant to get a newer version of Office because you don't want to have to learn the new (albeit easier to use) ribbon interface rather than menus, Extend Office has a low-cost program called Classic Menu for Office that restores the classic menus and toolbars in Office 2010, 2013, 2016 and 365 -- so you won't have to learn much new in terms of commands. Office 365 is by far the most robust and easiest to use version of Office (and I've never been much of a fan of Office, coming from a WordStar, WordStar 2000, AmiPro, Lotus WordPro background),

All that said, there are times when you've just got to use an older program like Corel Ventura 10 which came out in 2003 and has been abandoned by Corel. But no other desktop publishing program has the power and ease of use -- so I keep using it for my 100-300 page structured reports and books. But installing it in Windows 7, 8, and 10 required a trick or two that Microsoft never mentions.

So when installing a very old software application, not only do you want to run the installer in compatibility mode (right click the icon of the installation executable file and select properties) for Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or 3), but you may want to also run the installation file as administrator.

After the program is installed, you will want to click on the program's executable, select Properties, and have it run in Compatibility Mode for Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or 3). YOu may also want to run the program as administrator. It depends on the program.

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Is Bob back?
Feb 27, 2018 6:54AM PST

I thought MS dumped that dumb paperclip years ago.

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VMware Player is a very easy-to-use program
Mar 9, 2018 4:57AM PST

I'd like to give a strong recommendation to a free program, VMware Player. If you install it, you can run within it any operating system you wish. I have personally run Windows 98 and Windows ME on it, and I know several people who run Windows XP on it. As far as I know, you could even run Windows 3.1 on it.

Naturally, any software which requires an old operating system will then run, because you are running that software on the actual operating system. It's better than compatibility mode, because it's not an emulator but an actually running install of the older operating system.

In principal, there is no reason why one could not load Windows 7 within VMWare Player, so that you are running Windows 7 on a Windows 10 machine.

VMware Player has good on-line help at -
www.vmware.com/support/ws55/doc/

I currently run VMware Player v5.0.1 (obtained from www.filehippo.com) on a laptop running Windows 7 64 bit. You can get the current version there (version 14.1.1), or any older version. Installation is a two step process: firstly, you install VMware's player; then, secondly, you run the VMware Player, and install your choice of older operating system within the player (guided by the onscreen prompts). It's a normal install of Windows, but installs it into one big file managed by VMware Player, instead of creating a directory tree on your hard disk.

I found it surprisingly easy to install and use.

Certainly it's much easier than some of the alternatives. I use it rather than any Microsoft alternative. I had a bad experience with Microsoft's own virtual machine software (Virtual PC 2007 64-bit), which actually crashed Windows 7. So I heartily recommend avoiding the horrors of Virtual PC 2007 !