Automatically check compatibility off ALL software used in Win 10 PC

boflusr · Jan 13, 2022

Is this possible? I'm getting tempted to upgrade but I'm concerned about compatibility issues with software I'm using now. Generally, I avoid upgrading unless there is a compelling reason to upgrade (a free upgrade is a good reason). Some of the legacy software in my Win 10 PC that are running now but I don't know if they'll run without issues in Win 11:

1. Games such as Red Alert 2, Forged Alliance, FSX Steam, and DCS.
2. Programs such as Word 2013 and old versions of Reflect, Shadow Defender, and SnagIT.
3. Utility programs such as legacy drivers for printers (at least 5 years old, maybe even 8-10 years old), joystick (approaching 10 years old), and old versions of iTunes.

These programs are so old that some of the developers no longer support them and most of the current users using them now have yet to upgrade to Win 11 or plan to just stick with older versions of Windows.

Thank you.

DigitalGoat · Jan 13, 2022

Create a system image before upgrading, then you can test everything out, and if you run into unsolvable issues that are a deal breaker, just restore the Win10 image.
You get 10 days to roll back the upgrade by default without having to use imaging apps, you can extend this period, but it involves editing system files (registry).
Macrium Reflect is commonly recommended by the users of both this and Tenforums and there are lots of good tutorials on how to image your drives, backup files etc, Aoemi and Acronis also are viable products, and there are others.
Most older apps/ drivers etc should work with Win11 (if it works with Win10) although some won't, mainly due to unpatched security vulnerabilities more than any other reason.
Search the forums here or for the apps you are interested in to see if there are any major issues being reported.

boflusr · Jan 13, 2022

Thanks. I am hoping that there's a centralized compatibility resource or list in the web that can provide the info without everyone having to test it out.

DigitalGoat · Jan 13, 2022

The problem is that there are 100s of 1000s of applications, drivers, games and so on, from many decades and 1000s of hardware combinations that people use, it would be a mammoth undertaking to list everything and every combination, that probably would not be completed until way after Windows 11 is a distant memory.
A centralised compatibility list that happens to include all the items you use is not very likely, especially the older or niche your items are.
It is also possible that someone has tested a printer you want to use with Win11, for example, and it works, but you try it and it doesn't work due to your USB ports/ WIFI adapter being different from the testers.
Not saying what you are after is not possible, just highly unlikely and with certain pitfalls. At least making an image and testing for yourself will give you a definitive answer based on your circumstances. :)
But good luck whichever way you go.

boflusr · Jan 13, 2022

Hmm.... I thought I saw a wiki or a post in one of the forums for a prior Windows version which allowed users to self-report their compatibility experience with software they were using. I wish I saved the link to show as an example to post here.

Anyway, thank you for the reply. Hopefully, someone who has seen that wiki or post can provide the link here.

iko22 · Jan 13, 2022

1.
With all Software, it's the version of the .NET framework that usually matters. While the current .NET framework is version 4.8, older software like Office 2013 runs on .NET versions 3.5, 4.0 or 4.5. To date, any 4.xx will run all previous 4.x versions of the NET framework. So, your Office 2013 should still run on Windows 11. Also see:

Is Windows Office 2013 too old?

Just got my new Windows 11 computer and when I try to get Office running it tells me that it cannot find me. I bought Office 2013 back in 2014 so am I just out of luck or is there someone who can recognize that I purchased Office 2013 and have the email with Product Key? Since it is impossible...

www.elevenforum.com

If you have a program that only runs on .NET 3.5 then you can enable the feature. View:

Enable .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 11

If you want to enable .NET Framework 2.0 and .NET Framework 3.5 in Windows 11, then follow the steps mentioned in this article.

www.thewindowsclub.com

For very old software, there can be issues with memory protection, otherwise known as Data Execution Prevention (DEP). However, you should be able to disable DEP for selected programs after watching this tutorial:

For any outstanding OS or GUI/monitor issues, it is best to run the program in compatibility mode. You can access the programs compatibility mode (or run the compatibility troubleshooter) by first selecting the programs Properties window (right-mouse click on program icon) then click on the compatibility tab.
Note: There is currently no "Windows 10" compatibility mode in Windows 11. So if the program is designed to work on Windows 10, it should follow that it works on Windows 11, too.
2.
With games, there is an online Wiki for bugs, patches, workarounds. View:

PCGamingWiki PCGW - an encyclopedia of PC game fixes

www.pcgamingwiki.com

3.
Most older drivers get replaced by a Microsoft generic driver, whenever a newer Operating System is released. That could mean your device works properly albeit with the loss of some customisation features.

boflusr · Jan 13, 2022

@iko22 Excellent reply. Thank you! I'll follow-up on the links.

The-Hive · Jan 13, 2022

Everything I used in windows 10 worked well in 11, no program gave me any issues. However, it is really down to your machine rather than Windows 11 as if you have made a lot of changes, that may cause compatibility issues. I would suggest creating an image (with Macrium or similar) then you can easily go back to 10 if it doesn't work out for you. You also have 10 days to roll back to 10 as well, this can be extended for up to 60 days DISM, links are under tutorials

BunnyJ · Jan 13, 2022

The core of both OS's is so similar that I can't see many if any apps not working in both.

boflusr · Jan 13, 2022

Thanks. I may have to upgrade to Win 11. I'm currently trying to solve a problem in WIn 10 whose solution may require a lot of work ie. repair install or repair upgrade. Is it possible to upgrade to Win 11 when Win 10 was upgraded from a prior version of Windows (7 or 8.x)?
(Btw, I have an unused license for Win 10 but I don't think I ever used it since the free upgrade to Win 10 from the prior version of Windows worked.)

The-Hive · Jan 13, 2022

Upgrading shouldn't be a problem from version to version to version, remember you can always roll back. Maybe an upgrade to 11 may sort out some of the problems for you

Ghot · Jan 13, 2022

boflusr said:
Hmm.... I thought I saw a wiki or a post in one of the forums for a prior Windows version which allowed users to self-report their compatibility experience with software they were using. I wish I saved the link to show as an example to post here.

Anyway, thank you for the reply. Hopefully, someone who has seen that wiki or post can provide the link here.

I'm running games on Win 11 from 2000-2003. I'm running Paintshop Pro 7.04, which is from around 2005.
Generally... if it runs on Windows 10, it'll run on Windows 11.

As someone mentioned above... just make a full backup of Windows. Then you can do an In-Place upgrade to Windows 11.
An In-Place upgrade will leave all you files and programs intact, so you won't have to re-install.

But... making a backup of Windows 10, before you upgrade is the "easiest" way to cover your... butt. ^^

As for your backup software... you can get Macrium Reflect 8 (free), now... so you'll have working backup software, guaranteed.

Here's a quickie guide to Macrium Reflect 8...

Macrium Reflect 8 User Guide: https://updates.macrium.com/reflect/v8/user_guide/macrium_reflect_v8.0_user_guide.pdf

boflusr · Jan 13, 2022

Ghot said:
I'm running games on Win 11 from 2000-2003. ....

Ghot said:
...
As for your backup software... you can get Macrium Reflect 8 (free), now... so you'll have working backup software, guaranteed.

Thanks. For what it's worth, I still have Wordperfect 5.1, Lotus 123 v2.01, and dBase III+ running in a Dosbox in Win10 just for the heck of it. It would be interesting to know if they'd still run in Win11.

Yes, I like Macrium too. But I wish the software would allow access to back-up notes compiled chronologically for subsequent incremental and differential backups. That is, make backup notes easily viewable from back-up to back-up (like a running journal of backup notes)

The-Hive · Jan 13, 2022

BunnyJ said:
The core of both OS's is so similar that I can't see many if any apps not working in both.

No reason why they won't work as @BunnyJ said.
I believe if it worked in 10 it'll work in 11 despite how old it is

Ghot · Jan 13, 2022

boflusr said:
For what it's worth, I still have Wordperfect 5.1, Lotus 123 v2.01, and dBase III+ running in a Dosbox in Win10

Windows 11 is 64 bit only.
I have no idea if that will affect

boflusr said:
Yes, I like Macrium too. But I wish the software would allow access to back-up notes compiled chronologically for subsequent incremental and differential backups. That is, make backup notes easily viewable from back-up to back-up (like a running journal of backup notes)

For that, I have no idea. I just make full backups that are note-less.
When I name the backup, I included any note, in the name.

Something like... JAN 13 - 22000.434 - FF96 - MR8
Or... JAN 13 - 22000.434 - Dis de bestest backup.
Personally, I try to keep things simple. I realize that not everyone has the latitude to do that.
Aka, your company or system setup may require a more complex method.

bobkn · Jan 13, 2022

boflusr said:
Thanks. I may have to upgrade to Win 11. I'm currently trying to solve a problem in WIn 10 whose solution may require a lot of work ie. repair install or repair upgrade. Is it possible to upgrade to Win 11 when Win 10 was upgraded from a prior version of Windows (7 or 8.x)?
(Btw, I have an unused license for Win 10 but I don't think I ever used it since the free upgrade to Win 10 from the prior version of Windows worked.)

If your Windows 10 installation is corrupt, upgrading it to Windows 11 may not be a good idea. There is even some slight chance that the upgrade will fail. It may also proceed without a hitch. If you have your Win10 installation imaged, there will be no risk.

A clean install may give the best result, but it's a lot more work. It's not too bad if you prepare for it in advance.

boflusr · Jan 13, 2022

Ghot said:
Windows 11 is 64 bit only.
I have no idea if that will affect

For that, I have no idea. I just make full backups that are note-less.
When I name the backup, I included any note, in the name.

Something like... JAN 13 - 22000.434 - FF96 - MR8
Or... JAN 13 - 22000.434 - Dis de bestest backup.
Personally, I try to keep things simple. I realize that not everyone has the latitude to do that.
Aka, your company or system setup may require a more complex method.

I like to keep it simple too ie. kiss. But I also like good info especially with regards to backups. An example of backup notes might be:

"The following software or drivers were updated .... to versions .... The following system changes were made... This is the last backup before the upgrade to Win11...A copy of these files are located in.... No virus, sfc ok, etc. etc. etc."

Sometimes, in an incremental backup, the notes would be very short. But there are so many incrementals and differentials sometimes that it gets confusing as to how one might be different to the other when trying to figure out which incremental backup to restore and figuring out when the error started to show itself and the date is unknown.

boflusr · Jan 13, 2022

bobkn said:
If your Windows 10 installation is corrupt, upgrading it to Windows 11 may not be a good idea. There is even some slight chance that the upgrade will fail. It may also proceed without a hitch. If you have your Win10 installation imaged, there will be no risk.

A clean install may give the best result, but it's a lot more work. It's not too bad if you prepare for it in advance.

That's what I fear. The upgrade might fail. So I'll make sure I have a back-up first.

I agree that a clean install is best. But, I'm very reluctant to do that though. The error in Win10 started right after I re-installed Microsoft Flight Simulator which is a 150+ GB download. Also, I have another game, P3D, which with add-ons is more than 250 GBs.

I'm at a fork in the road. I'm weighing between "repair installing/upgrading" Win10 in-place or upgrading to Win 11.

bobkn · Jan 13, 2022

boflusr said:
That's what I fear. The upgrade might fail. So I'll make sure I have a back-up first.

I agree that a clean install is best. But, I'm very reluctant to do that though. The error in Win10 started right after I re-installed Microsoft Flight Simulator which is a 150+ GB download. Also, I have another game, P3D, which with add-ons is more than 250 GBs.

I'm at a fork in the road. I'm weighing between "repair installing/upgrading" Win10 in-place or upgrading to Win 11.

Yikes. Too bad that downloadable installers for some programs are of the past.

barman58 · Jan 22, 2022

There is more likelihood of games having issue with a new OS than office / Productivity software. This is due to the simple fact that Games developers are more reliant on speed of operation, they need to push the envelope to it's maximum .

Because of the needs to accelerate the way the games routines work, it is sometimes a fact that the developer will directly manipulate the operating system code rather than rely on the OS built in routines.

This can mean that when changes are made to the OS where storage areas change then the shortcut coding the developer used will no longer work, and could cause issues or even total failure.

This can also apply to low level system utilities that are accessing registers at specific locations, any OS update can also break these links

Automatically check compatibility off ALL software used in Win 10 PC

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