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Working Around Vista Apps' Incompatibilities

Posted by kdawson on from the thousands-and-thousands dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft says there are over 1,000 applications you can run on Windows Vista with few, if any, issues. However, Windows apps number in the tens of thousands. Add to that the facts that x64 Vista versions don't support legacy 16-bit code, and that the Windows Resource Protection in Vista breaks some apps, and you've got a big issue. InformationWeek lists a host of workarounds in How To Manage Windows Vista Application Compatibility. Among the tips discussed are Vista's compatibility mode, its Program Compatibility Assistant wizard, and a little-known form of file and registry virtualization that's built into the OS. What problems have you encountered with incompatible apps, and are any issues you've encountered deal-breakers that could further roil the already muddied adoption picture for Vista?"

9 of 349 comments (clear)

  1. The most promising workaround by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Port WINE to Vista.

    1. Re:The most promising workaround by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, port wine does come from places with nice views...

  2. Well, at least for now... by Penguinisto · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...one big fat Microsoft Fanboy/Salesman argument isn't true for Vista: "Windows has more applications..."

    *snicker*

    /P

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  3. Re:Broken Apps by Fred_A · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe you can install Wine under Vista ? Just a thought...

    (runs away)

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  4. Re:Broken Apps by dexomn · · Score: 5, Funny

    The list of 'Over 1000 Applications...' begins like this:

    1.) Notepad.exe
    2.) Sol.exe
    3.) Winmine.exe
    4.) Pbrush.exe
    5.) Write.exe

    And so on...

  5. Re:What? by Ant+P. · · Score: 3, Funny

    2) DRM crap? I bet you don't even have a bluray or HDDVD drive in the first place. Hell, I bet you torrent all of your movies, so you shouldn't be complaining. Vista doesn't DRM everything. You can still watch your torrented movies (it's the only way to get decent HD rips anyhow)


    Perhaps he owns an nVidia or ATi graphics card, and plays games. Absurd as it seems, he might even own a sound card newer than a SoundBlaster16 that can play 2 sounds in hardware!!

    Not any more with Vista.
  6. Re:It's not rubbish. by houstonbofh · · Score: 2, Funny

    Really, it even annoys fanboys to the point where no one wants it.

    This is one of the most amusing things about this entire debate. Microsoft really did the impossible with Vista. They united Windows AND Linux fanboys!
  7. At least edlin still works.. by cheros · · Score: 3, Funny

    I love the fact (in a sarcastic sort of way) that they break compatibility with the tools you need for everyday use, but on the other hand keep "edlin" as part of the code base. I kid you not - go to the command line and type 'edlin'. Incredible..

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  8. Re:Simple solution by orclevegam · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think I saw a headline where Microsoft just announced Office Vista Pro 2006 Hyper Fighting Edition Alpha, which has new skins for most of the widgets, and overclocked the cursor blink speed to seizure inducing levels.

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