Windows 10 could easily be the latest and greatest operating system that Microsoft has created. And there are strong reasons for it to be referenced, given the excellent set of features it comes with. Unfortunately, even these don’t seem to be enough when it comes to expressing our love for old Windows XP.
That’s also why we can still cling to that old Windows XP game CD that we spent our teenage years playing; And we’ll love reliving those moments over and over again in the Windows 10 era. Fortunately, that’s not impossible either, although it can be tricky.
Here are some steps you can take to run your old Windows XP games on Windows 10, although it may not apply to all games. But it is worth a try.
Contents index
- How to play Windows XP games on Windows 10
- Run as Administrator
- Use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
- Run the Windows XP game in compatibility mode
- Virtual machine
How to play Windows XP games on Windows 10
- Run as Administrator
This will be a good first step in trying it, one that is also the easiest. The logic behind this is simple too, as almost all users were granted the status of an administrator in Windows XP, try running the Windows XP game as an administrator and see if this works.
The same is not applicable by default in Windows 10, but with all the advanced security features that it comes with, although here is the way to do it. Just right-click on the Windows XP game executable file and select Run as administrator .
Thereafter, follow the instructions on the screen.
- Use the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
This is how you let Windows 10 decide what is the best compatibility setting to adopt when trying to run the file. Here are the steps:
- Type Run Programs in Cortana’s search box . The rest, that is, Run programs for older versions of Windows will appear automatically. Click on it to start the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.
- Click Advanced > Run as Administrator . Click on Next .
- You will be taken to the Select the program you are having problems with window . Here, select the program you are having problems with or select Not Listed if you cannot find your already listed application. Click on Next .
- In the next section, you will be asked to find the .exe file for the particular application. Click on Next .
- You will then come to the Select Troubleshooting Option window . Here, select the Try recommended settings option .
- Windows 10 will now try to find the best settings necessary for the Windows XP game to work properly. Click to test the program… to see if the application is working properly.
The troubleshooter will ask if you are able to run the application to your satisfaction.
Selecting Yes, save these settings for this program will mark the end of the troubleshooting process.
However, if the troubleshooting fails and you select No, trying again using different settings will take you to a different section where different reasons will be provided explaining the cause of the failure. Make your choice and click Next . Thereafter, follow the instructions on the screen.
- Run the Windows XP game in compatibility mode
Windows 10 comes with another option to run outdated programs where you can manually change the compatibility settings. This is how you do it.
- Type the name of the app in the Cortana search box .
- In the search result that is displayed, right-click the application name and select Open file location .
- In the file location, you will be able to see all the files that are running the game. Right-click on the .exe file and select Properties .
- In the Properties window , select the Compatibility tab .
- Click the Run this program in compatibility mode check box
- Select Windows XP from the drop-down box just below it.
- In the Setting section , there are a few more options to further improve your chances of the program running efficiently.
- Select those and see if they help you. It is a kind of trial and error process and will require several attempts before reaching a stable configuration.
- Click Apply > OK .
- Virtual machine
This can be thought of as a zone within your Windows 10 where you can run programs intended for Windows XP . Or it is like a section of Windows XP within Windows 10. However, you will need a valid Windows XP license to successfully create a virtual machine capable of running programs intended for the Windows version.
To do this, you will need to download a virtual machine such as VirtualBox or VMware Player and install it on your PC. Follow the instructions on the screen and enter the XP license when prompted. Try to see if you are able to run the Windows XP game that you are so in love with.
