One of Microsoft’s big strengths — and weaknesses — is their focus on backwards compatibility. Most Windows applications will work just fine on Windows 8. This is especially true if they worked on Windows 7, as Windows 8 is very similar to Windows 7. Some old games and software, particularly ones designed for older operating systems like Windows XP, Windows 98, or DOS, may not work properly out of the box. Whatever type of software you’re dealing with, whether it’s a PC game or a piece of business software, performing a Google search for the name of the game along with “Windows 8″ or the exact error message you received will probably help. The below tips apply to all different types of software, but finding information specific to your buggy program is always a good idea.

Why Games & Software Might Not Be Compatible

There are a variety of reasons why programs and other software may not work properly on Windows 8.

• Bad Programming Practices: Some software may depend on administrator access, which was taken for granted on Windows XP, and break when running as a standard user on newer versions of Windows. Some software may have depended on issues in older versions of Windows that have since been fixed, resulting in the application breaking on modern versions of Windows.
• Dependencies on Old Versions of Software: Some software may depend on old libraries, like the .NET Framework version 3.5, which is not installed by default on Windows 8.
• 16-bit Software: 64-bit versions of Windows no longer contain the compatibility layer for 16-bit Windows applications. If you have a 16-bit application written for Windows 3.1, you’ll need to use the 32-bit version of Windows 8 to run it.
• DOS Software: Windows 8, like all versions of Windows back to Windows XP, no longer runs on top of DOS. While some DOS software still runs, advanced DOS software — like PC games written for DOS — doesn’t work in the Command Prompt environment.

Before Upgrading

Microsoft has some information you can consult before upgrading. You can download and run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, which will scan your computer and let you know if your software and hardware will work properly under Windows 8. This won’t detect all programs that won’t work properly, but it still provides some useful information.

Microsoft also provides a Windows Compatibility Center website that lists whether games, other software, and hardware will work properly on Windows 8. The website also provides a discussion feature so you can see what other users say about their experiences.

Update Your Software

If the software won’t run on Windows 8, you should update it to the latest versions with whatever patches are available. For example, an old game may not run properly on Windows 8 when installed from disc, but the game’s developer may have released a patch that allows the game to run on newer versions of Windows. You should also try updating related software. For example, many games using Microsoft’s own Games for Windows Live don’t run properly on Windows 8 until an update for GFWL is installed.

You may also need to install old libraries that your software depends on. For example, Windows 8 only includes version 4.5 of the .NET Framework. If you receive a .NET Framework-related error, you should visit the control panel and install the .NET Framework 3.5 package, which allows software that depends on .NET 3.5, 3.0, or 2.0 to run.

Run as Administrator

Fixing a problematic application could be as simple as running it in administrator mode. Windows normally detects when applications require administrator access and deals with this, but it may not always work. To run a program in administrator mode, just right-click its shortcut and select Run as administrator.

You could also fix this by disabling User Account Control entirely. We don’t recommend disabling UAC, as it’s an important security feature and it shouldn’t bug you too much — UAC has improved a lot from its sorry state in Windows Vista. Almost every Windows program will work fine with UAC enabled.

Enable Compatibility Mode

Windows 8 includes a Program Compatibility Troubleshooter along with compatibility options you can tweak. Just right-click the shortcut for the program you’re having problems with, select Properties, and click the Compatibility tab. From here, you can run the compatibility troubleshooter to have Windows walk you though choosing settings that my fix your problem. Alternatively, you can try to trick the program into thinking it’s running on a previous version of Windows, such as Windows XP or Windows 98. This may solve problems with programs that worked on previous programs but no longer work. The Compatibility tab also allows you to always start programs in administrator mode — useful if they must be run as administrator.

Use DOSBox

If you have an old DOS application that isn’t working properly in Windows — likely an old DOS game like the original DOOM games — you can run it in DOSBox. DOSBox is a free application that runs a full DOS environment in a window on your computer, allowing you to run DOS software. It’s much more compatible and full-featured than the Command Prompt included with Windows. DOSBox works so well that many game developers bundle DOSBox with their own games — if you buy a game like the original DOOM or Quake games on Steam, they’ll come bundled along with DOSBox.

Use a Virtual Machine

Virtual machines will allow you to run software that ran on previous versions of Windows. With a virtual machine, you can install a previous version of Windows — like Windows XP — and run it in a window on your computer. You can then run your old software in the virtual machine. Windows 8 no longer includes Windows 7′s Windows XP mode, but you can get basically the same feature by installing Windows XP in VirtualBox or VMware Player. Virtual machines aren’t ideal for games, as they’re a bit slow and 3D graphics don’t work amazingly well inside them. However, they do have some limited support for 3D graphics, so if you have an ancient PC game, it may play just fine in a virtual machine. You may also run into problems if your software needs direct access to certain hardware devices — you can connect USB devices to your virtual machine, but software that depends on direct access to certain pieces of hardware may not work.

Tips for Troubleshooting Specific Games

Windows 8 users will likely run into the most issues with games, as so many old games are still work playing, while old software is generally replaced and upgraded. If you’re running into issues with any specific game, try looking the game up on the PC Gaming Wiki. This website provides detailed information for fixing issues with many games — not only on Windows 8 but on other versions of Windows and other operating systems, too.

Do you have any other tips for making old software make on Windows 8 or even Windows 7, which works similarly? What software have you had trouble with, and how did you fix it? Leave a comment and share your experiences!

Are you using a processor that supports a 64-bit operating system? If so, are you using a 64-bit operating system? The average off-and-on PC user probably doesn’t know the answers to these questions, although they should!

The 64-bit versions of Windows operating systems offer many advantages, for example practically unlimited RAM. In the 64-bit variant, Windows also offers digital signing of drivers, which means you won’t be crashing nearly as much. We’ve put out an article on the difference between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, and some are extremely important.  All of this information and more can be extremely important when determining if you should be going after Windows in its a 32-bit or 64-bit version.

There are so many reasons why 64-bit operating systems are better! Now, let’s look into four ways that you can figure out if you’ve already got the 64-bit goodies.

64bit Checker is a free tool for Windows that accomplishes this goal, among other things. 64bit Checker will give you information about the operating system and CPU in regards to 64-bit compatibility, as well as the version of Windows that you’re running, what Service Pack you’re on, and when you installed Windows.

In the Report tab, you’re given a plaintext version of this information in a field that will allow you to copy and paste directly from it or save the report in HTM or TXT format.

This tool is completely portable and literally takes seconds to download and run.

Why it’s useful: 64bit Checker tells you everything you need to know. You don’t have to do anything technical or search for information, for example whether your processor can handle a 64-bit operating system. You run the application, read through the table or the text report, and you learn the specifics. It’s that easy.

You very likely have a desktop shortcut to My Computer / Computer. Right-clicking that shortcut and selecting Properties will bring up a screen with basic information about your system.

You’re able to see if you’re running a 64-bit operating system and if you’re using a processor that supports one. Other information includes your Windows Experience Index score, basic processor information, installed RAM, and more.

Why it’s useful: This is probably the quickest way to figure out whether or not you’re currently running a 64-bit operating system and what model processor powers your machine.

Through a Command Line prompt, typing the command “set pro” will reveal a lot of information that will help you piece together required details to know if you are or aren’t on a 64-bit machine.

Your processor’s architecture and the folder paths shown here reveal a few things about your 64-bit status. You can see that there is a path in this list pointing to Program Files specific to x86, which is an immediate giveaway that you’re on a 64-bit operating system. The 32-bit versions of Windows only use a single Program Files folder.

Why it’s useful: If your intent is to learn the most about your processor in the quickest way, this method is best. As you can see in the screenshot, your processor’s architecture, identifier, level, and revision are all displayed. It’s incredibly clear in this example that the CPU supports the use of a 64-bit operating system.

Spurring directly from the last method, simply navigating to your main drive’s root directory can be enough to do the trick.

As aforementioned, 32-bit versions of Windows will only include a single Program Files folder, while the two folders you see above will be present on any 64-bit system. The Program Files (x86) folder is where applications that are meant to run on 32-bit systems are installed. The main Program Files folder is where all 64-bit applications reside.

Why it’s useful: A lot of software now comes in both 32 and 64-bit versions. While just glancing at the folders reveals if you’re on a 64-bit operating system or not, actually browsing through your Program Files folder for 32-bit applications is a good way of seeing which applications you have installed that might be worth a potential upgrade to a 64-bit version.

If you’ve purchased a new computer in the past year, I’d be surprised to hear that it has come loaded with a 32-bit operating system or with a processor that doesn’t support 64-bit operating systems. We’re past the transition point where 64-bit is the new standard, but it’s not possible to be too safe and to make sure that you’re running a 64-bit operating system before you do something like decide to install the 64-bit version of a piece of software over its 32-bit version. If you’re ever in a situation like that, and in doubt, you should keep in mind that the 32-bit architecture works just fine under a 64-bit operating system.

If you’ve got any questions about 32-bit or 64-bit operating systems, feel free to leave me a comment in the section below. Otherwise, let me know which of these methods is easiest to you. Do you prefer the ease of use in one of Windows’ provided options, or is the presentation that 64bit Checker offers enough to get you to download it? Let me know what you think.

 

AirPlay is Apple’s way of wirelessly streaming audio and video to supported devices on your local network. If you have one of Apple’s more recent Airport base stations, an Apple TV or a Boxee box at home, you should already be able to stream music from your computer to your entertainment system, wirelessly.

Originally, only iTunes was outfitted with AirPlay capabilities. Later, the option was added for you to route all system audio to an AirPlay device, like an audio counterpart to AirPlay screen mirroring. These AirPlay devices should simply show up in your sound output settings, though Apple has made it notably more difficult to use AirPlay with third-party apps like Spotify or Rdio instead of iTunes.

For that, you’ll need something like Airfoil.

Airfoil ($25)

If Apple doesn’t do it, someone else often will. Airfoil is a third-party application that aims to bridge this rather serious gap in usability. Apart from extending AirPlay audio functionality on Mac OS X computers, the PC version also makes Windows computers capable of this feat. If you’re a Windows user in an Apple hardware household, this is great news. Alternatively, Windows users should take a look at Shairport4w.

Airfoil is developed by Rogue Amoeba, who you might know from other high quality sound applications like Audio Hijack Pro. Together with AirParrot, which gives older computers (and PCs) access to AirPlay mirroring, Airfoil is an essential component of the AirPlay toolbox.

After installing Airfoil, the application pops up both in the Dock and Menu Bar—or, if you’re using Windows, as a regular application in the task bar. Both provide access to pretty much the same settings, so if you want to limit the application to one of these two views, you can do this in the preferences.

Source and Destination

Alas, Airfoil can’t automagically add AirPlay buttons to all the interesting applications on your computer. As such, you’ll manage these things inside Airfoil. To start streaming, you just need two things: a source and a transmit destination. As a destination, just select your AirPlay device. You can even select multiple targets at once. This is great to play your music in multiple rooms, on different AirPlay devices.

Pressing the source button shows you a whole list of options, as illustrated above, and often the better choice is to select a single application. In theory, you can select almost any application as a source for audio. Spotify transmission works flawlessly and the rest of your system’s audio is still played back locally. This means you won’t miss any important notifications while sitting in front of your computer, and that the music that comes out of your remote speakers is just that – music only.

In Airfoil’s options you can further link AirPlay volume to your system volume. If supported, this will immediately adjust the volume on the AirPlay device when you use the volume keys on your keyboard.

Airfoil Video Player & Speakers

It may sound like a great idea to watch a video on your computer while rerouting the audio through your big AirPlay-connected sound system. The only thing standing in your way is a serious lag in the audio. Airfoil Video Player, which is included with Airfoil for Mac, solves this problem by similarly delaying the video.

Use Airfoil Video Player to open local files and DVDs, or play web videos using the embedded delayed web browser. Browsing isn’t as smooth as you’re probably used to, but once the video is playing that won’t matter anyway.

Even if you don’t think you have any AirPlay-compatible devices, you can use Airfoil. The free Airfoil Speakers application, which is available for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS turns almost any device into an Airplay-enabled speaker (though the mobile apps work exclusively with Airfoil).

Just download and install the application on any one of your devices (or all of them!) and you can subsequently use Airfoil to play audio on it. If you plug that device in, you’ll get an Airplay-enabled sound system.

The Bottom Line

Airfoil is available for both Mac OS X and Windows. However, these two applications aren’t usually sold as the same package. $25 gets you Airfoil on only one operating system. Alternatively, you can buy a package bundle, which includes both versions for $40.

Cheap? By no means. But depending on how often you use AirPlay and switch between operating systems, it might be worth it. Luckily, you can download a free trial from the website to find out. It’s an unlimited trial, but noise is overlaid on transmissions longer than ten minutes.

Download: Airfoil for Mac or PC

Do you use AirPlay in your home? Have you tried Airfoil? Add your thoughts to the comments below!

Image credit: Shutterstock.