Using the Compatibility Administrator

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Vista

The Compatibility Administrator tool enables you to resolve many of your potential application-compatibility issues before deploying a new version of the Windows® operating system to your organization by:

  • Providing individual compatibility fixes, compatibility modes, and AppHelp messages that you can use to resolve specific compatibility issues.

  • Enabling you to create custom-compatibility fixes, compatibility modes, AppHelp messages, and compatibility databases.

  • Providing a query tool that enables you to search for installed fixes on your local computers.

Important

The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) installs a 32-bit and a 64-bit version of the Compatibility Administrator. You must use the 32-bit version to create and work with custom databases for 32-bit applications, and the 64-bit version to create and work with custom databases for 64-bit applications.

To access the Compatibility Administrator

  • On the taskbar, click Start, point to Programs, click Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.6, and then click the appropriate version of the Compatibility Administrator.

    The Compatibility Administrator appears.

In This Section

Topic Name Description

Available Data Types and Operators

Includes detailed information about the attributes, data types, and operators that are available for querying your custom-compatibility databases.

Searching for Fixed Applications

Includes detailed information and step-by-step instructions about how to locate specific executable (.exe) files with previously applied compatibility fixes, compatibility modes, or AppHelp messages.

Searching for Installed Compatibility Fixes with the Query Tool

Includes detailed information and step-by-step instructions about how to use the Compatibility Administrator query tool to search and how to locate your individual compatibility fixes on your local computer's installed databases.

Creating a Custom Compatibility Fix

Includes detailed information and step-by-step instructions about how to create a new compatibility fix.

Creating a Custom Compatibility Mode

Includes detailed information and step-by-step instructions about how to create a new compatibility mode.

Creating an AppHelp Message

Includes detailed information and step-by-step instructions about how to create a new AppHelp message.

Viewing the Events Screen

Includes detailed information and step-by-step instructions about how to access and review your activities while using the Compatibility Administrator.

Enabling and Disabling Compatibility Fixes

Includes detailed information and step-by-step instructions about how to enable and disable your compatibility fixes for troubleshooting and testing purposes.

Installing and Uninstalling Custom Compatibility Databases

Includes detailed information and step-by-step instructions about how to install and uninstall custom databases (.sdb files) to fix the issues in your organization.

See Also

Concepts

Compatibility Administrator Tool
Known Compatibility Fixes, Compatibility Modes, and AppHelp Messages

Other Resources

Testing and Mitigating Issues by Using the Development Tools