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- How to Fix Steam Windows Compatibility Mode Error?
By Aurelie | Follow |
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Facing Steam Windows Compatibility Mode error when gaming? Don’t know what to do with this error? MiniTool Website offers you this article to help you out. Try them one by one to find out the workarounds that you fancy most.
Steam Windows Compatibility Mode Error
Steam is one of the best game platforms in the world for game players to buy, download, upload, and discuss various games. Compatibility Mode is a useful feature of Steam that enables you to launch applications built for a former version of Windows.
However, while bringing convenience, it often drives you crazy because steam Windows compatibility mode error appears at times to destroy your game experience. Fortunately, fixing this error is quite easy and it doesn’t take you much time. Come and have a shot!
How to Fix Steam Windows Compatibility Mode Error?
Fix 1: Update Windows
Keeping the latest version of Windows is of vital importance because an obsolete Windows version is very likely to cause Steam Windows Compatibility Mode error. Therefore, it is highly recommended to update Windows in time.
Step 1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
Step 2. Scroll down to find Update & Security.
Step 3. In the Windows Update interface, click Check for updates.
This is an automatic but time-consuming process, and you need to wait for a while.
Fix 2: Tweak the Registry
If you have already updated Windows to the latest version, you can try tweaking your registry.
You are supposed to be very careful because even a tiny problem might damage the operating system radically. Of course, there’s a solution once you make some mistakes. Have a backup before you do by following the article – How to Backup and Restore Registry in Windows 10. Here’s how to modify the registry:
Step 1. Press Win + R at the same time to launch the Run dialog.
Step 2. Type regedit in the box and tap on Enter.
Step 3. Copy and paste the following command in the box and hit Enter.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
Step 4. In the left navigation bar, look for Steam Launcher (steam.exe), and then right-click it.
Step 5. Choose Uninstall and click Yes in the confirm message.
Step 6. Reboot your PC to examine if this fix works fine.
Fix 3: Disable Compatibility Mode for Steam
Since Steam Windows Compatibility Mode error is directly related to Steam Compatibility Mode, disabling it is the most effective way to resolve this issue. Some of you may ask, “How to disable Compatibility Mode Steam?” Don’t be worried, turning it off is not that complicated and you can follow the next instructions step by step.
Step 1. Press Win + E to run the File Explorer.
Step 2. Paste the next path in the address bar and hit Enter.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Step 3. Scroll down to find the steam.exe file and right-click on it to choose Properties.
Step 4. In the Compatibility tab, uncheck Run this program in compatibility mode and click OK to execute this operation. You should also pay attention that whether all other checkboxes are disabled or not.
Fix 4: Reinstall Steam
If you change Compatibility Mode for Steam games but the error still persists, there is another possibility that Steam itself has a problem thus reinstalling it might be a fix to address Steam Windows Compatibility Mode error.
Step 1. Open Settings and choose Apps.
Step 2. In Apps & features, look through the apps list to find Steam.
Step 3. Click it and select Uninstall.
Step 4. Download and install Steam on the official website.
Final Words
If you find these solutions are helpful to you, welcome to share your joy with us at the comment area below. At the same time, maybe your knacks are better than those mentioned above and you can also show your causes here.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Aurelie is a passionate soul who always enjoys researching & writing articles and solutions to help others. Her posts mainly cover topics related to games, data backup & recovery, file sync and so on. Apart from writing, her primary interests include reading novels and poems, travelling and listening to country music.
Unleashing the Past: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reviving Classic Games in Compatibility Mode
There are many old Windows games available on Steam, Epic Games, and other prominent gaming storefronts. For example, Half-Life is a golden oldie released in 1998 and still available on Steam.
However, compatibility issues can arise when users try to play PC games more than 10 years old on Windows 11/10 platforms. Consequently, users often report older games not starting on their Windows 11/10 PCs. One user’s Reddit post said this about Half-Life:
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So, I have a copy of Half-Life 1’s Game of the Year edition from 1999, and I installed it onto Windows 11. I was able to get into the main menu, but when I try to start a new game or go to the Hazard Course, the game just goes to the Windows desktop.
Windows includes a compatibility mode that can address issues with running older games and apps designed for older Microsoft desktop platforms. You can run Windows games in compatibility mode with the two methods below.
What is the compatibility mode in Windows 11/10?
Compatibility mode is a troubleshooting feature that emulates, or mimics, older Windows platforms for whatever software you set it for. This means Windows 11/10 adjusts settings to emulate an older platform for the games you run in compatibility mode.
This is sometimes a necessary troubleshooting measure because older games weren’t designed to run on the latest Windows platforms with the newest DirectX API and Visual C++ runtimes. For example, DirectX 9 was the latest API of its series for games released during the Windows XP era of 2001-2005.
The compatibility mode drop-down menu includes various Windows platform options you can set for a game. You might be able to select a Windows 95 option for the oldest software. However, Windows XP or Vista are usually the oldest compatibility settings you can select.
There’s also a Program Compatibility troubleshooter you can run, which is a bit different. That troubleshooter tool applies recommended compatibility settings for selected software. Then you can select to test run a game with the compatibility settings applied.
How can I run a Windows game in compatibility mode?
1. Select the Run this program in compatibility mode option
Time needed: 3 minutes
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Go into the File Explorer folder navigator by pressing the Windows logo + E keys simultaneously.
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Open the installation folder for the game you need to run in compatibility mode.
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Right-click on the EXE application file for the game to select Properties.
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Select Compatibility on the window’s tab bar.
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Click Run this program in compatibility mode to activate the drop-down menu.
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Then choose a suitable Windows platform for the game on the drop-down menu. Select what was the latest Windows platform when the publisher released the game.
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Select the Apply and OK options on the game’s properties window to set your chosen compatibility mode.
2. Run the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
- Bring up the Compatibility tab for a game as covered in steps one to five of the previous method.
- Then select the Run compatibility troubleshooter option.
- Click Try recommended settings in the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.
- Press Test the program to run the game with the compatibility mode set.
- Then exit the game and select Next in the troubleshooter.
- Select Yes, save these settings if the game runs ok with the compatibility mode set.
Is there a way I can play very old DOS PC games on Windows 11/10?
If you want to play old games from the 1980s and ‘90s that aren’t available on Steam, Microsoft Store, Epic, and other storefronts, your best bet is to download and install emulator software. Emulators are software packages that simulate game consoles and operating systems.
DOSBox and D-Fend Reloaded are two DOS emulators with which you can play many PC games from the 1980 and 1990s without compatibility issues. You can download game packs for those emulators from their websites and sites like RGB Classic Games.
Compatibility mode isn’t always a guaranteed way to fix older games that crash in Windows. However, it is a troubleshooting option worth trying when you can’t start and play older game titles on your PC. It will address various compatibility issues and enable you to play more of the older games on the latest Windows platforms.
In this article, we will see how to fix the Steam compatibility mode error in Windows 11.
Steam is one of the most crowded gaming platforms out there owing to the tons of games it has to offer its users to play. Despite, the wild popularity of the gaming platform, Steam keeps running into issues and errors from time to time. One such error is the Steam compatibility mode.
Generally, you only run into this issue when you enable compatibility mode on Steam but there is no need to be worried about it. You can get rid of the Steam compatibility mode in a breeze using the methods curated by us in this article.
So, if you are facing the Steam compatibility mode error on your PC, keep reading.
Also Read: How To Play Steam Games On Android TV
What is compatibility mode in Windows?
Compatibility Mode lets you use those apps that were built for older versions of Windows than the one you are using. If the app users want to run, throws an error saying the installed version of the OS can’t run that particular app, then running the program in compatibility mode will fix the error.
However, running programs in compatibility mode leads to certain issues from time to time as the one we are going to discuss here.
As a matter of fact, Steam Support does not recommend launching Steam in compatibility mode on Windows. But if you are using Steam in compatibility mode and looking for ways to fix the errors you are encountering, keep scrolling.
Also Read: Unable To Join Multiplayer Game Session On steam? Try These Fixes
Disable compatibility mode for Steam
- Launch the File Explorer on Windows PC using the Windows+E shortcut key.
- Now, copy-paste the following path in the address bar and hit the Enter key.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
- Here, look for the steam.exe file and then right-click on it.
- Choose the Properties option from the context menu. You can also use the key combination Alt + Enter to access its properties window.
- Here, remove the tick from the checkbox for Run this program in compatibility mode option and hit the OK button.
- Once done, launch Steam again and you won’t encounter errors anymore.
Update Windows
If your Windows PC is running on an old version of Windows, you will surely encounter the Steam compatibility mode error. So, updating your Windows PC at the moment is important as brings in new features, performance upgrades, and patches for bugs in the previous version of Windows.
- Launch the Settings app using the Windows+I shortcut and click on the Windows Update option located on the left navigation pane.
- Here, click the Check for updates button located on right to look for the new version of the Operating System.
- If any pending updates are listed here, press the Download and install button.
- Once done, try launching the Steam app once again. Most probably, you will not encounter a compatibility error.
Also Read: Fix: Steam Corrupt Disk Error When Downloading/Uploading Games
Modify the Windows Registry
- Launch the Run command using the Windows + R shortcut key. Type ‘regedit’ in the text field, and press the OK button.
- Press the Yes button in the User Account Control window that opens up.
- Type the following path in the address bar and hit the enter key.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
- Here, you will find several items in the left panel and then find the option located as a Steam launcher (steam.exe).
- Now, right-click on the Yes option in the pop-up.
- Now, reboot your PC to apply the changes.
Note: Do not follow this method if you are not sure how to handle making changes in Registry as any mistake can lead to severe consequences.
- Once the changes are done, hit the save changes button.
Also Read: Fix Steam Running Slow/ Lagging Games Issue 2022
Reinstall Steam
If the Steam game is still not launching on your Windows PC, all that’s left to do is to uninstall and then re-install the Steam app again. Here’s how to do it:
- Launch the Settings app using the Windows+I shortcut key and then choose Apps from the navigation pane on the left.
- Choose the Apps and Features option from the right pane.
- Next, look for the Steam app in the list of apps installed on your PC and then hit the ellipsis icon present next to it.
- Choose Uninstall option from the flyout menu and choose to uninstall option from the pop-up that appears on the screen.
- Once the app gets uninstalled, go ahead and reinstall the steam app again.
Also Read: Fixed: The No User Logon Steam Error On Windows 11
Wrapping Up
That’s pretty much it! Now we hope the Steam compatibility mode error is finally resolved on your PC. Which of the above methods worked for you? Let us know in the comments below.
Taiba Hasan
A tech enthusiast with a Post Graduate degree in Computer Applications, trying to make technology less complicated for novice users.
Click on the compatibility tab from properties on the steam installation file. Uncheck the ticked boxes and Click Apply to save changes.
Compatibility mode is a feasible option by which a software either emulates an older version of the software or adjusts its properties with the operating system to allow older or incompatible software or files. It also remains compatible with the computer’s newer hardware or software.
To run a particular program not running on a current version can be run easily by switching to compatibility mode. However, Steam encounters several errors with the compatibility mode, and Steam support discourages running their program in Windows compatibility mode. Follow the steps below to disable compatibility mode in steam.
Step 1
Browse to your Steam installation file. This file is usually at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\) by default. If you changed it to another hard disk while installing steam, locate the file.
Step 2
Open Steam properties by Right click on Steam.exe (or bin\steamwebhelper.exe), and choosing Properties.
Step 3
Click on the Compatibility tab. If there are any checked boxes, uncheck them one by one. Click Apply to save changes.
Step 4
Then, click the “Change settings for all users” button to apply the change for all profile users of Windows. Click Ok.
Step 5
Relaunch steam by double-clicking on Steam.exe. Check if the issue persists.
Update Windows
For older versions of Windows, Steam compatibility mode error is not unusual. Updating your windows to the latest version might be helpful for new features, performance upgrades, and patches for bugs in the previous version of Windows.
Reinstall Steam
If the problem persists, reinstalling Steam might help. First, go to settings manually or press the Windows+I shortcut key and choose Apps from the navigation pane. From the right pane, choose the Apps and Features option. Locate Steam from the installed Apps. Uninstall it from the flyout menu.
Steam Compatibility Mode Performance
Compatibility mode indeed affects the performance of any certain applications, as it forces an application to use an emulation layer. One such way is that compatibility mode may force an application to use an emulation layer, which can slow down the application. It depends on the workload running in the VM (virtual machine). While others will show a noticeable difference, some workloads may remain unaffected.
To Conclude
Steam compatibility mode can be useful for some specific applications even though it may cause performance drops and other issues. Follow the simple instructions mentioned and if you’re still unable to disable it, contact Steam support.
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Steam is one of the most popular cloud-gaming libraries out there and offers users a plethora of titles to choose from. But, the Steam compatibility mode error has been driving users crazy.
This error is generally encountered when you have compatibility mode turned on in the launcher properties. And honestly, it’s quite simple to fix the error and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
But before we walk through the fixes for the Steam compatibility mode error, it’s imperative that you understand how the compatibility mode works.
How does the compatibility mode work?
Compatibility mode is a feature that allows you to run applications that were built for a previous version of Windows. This helps users if they encounter an error saying that the installed version of the OS can’t run that particular app.
So, if you see that a particular program is not running on the current version, simply switching to compatibility mode and choosing an earlier version that supports the program should work.
But, making the switch often leads to issues, as is the case here with the Steam compatibility mode error. Also, the Steam support recommends against running their program in Windows compatibility mode.
Now that you have a basic understanding of how compatibility mode works, let’s see how can eliminate the error.
How can I fix the Steam compatibility mode error?
1. Disable compatibility mode for Steam
- Press Windows + E to launch the File Explorer, paste the following path in the address bar at the top, and hit Enter to navigate to it.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
- Locate and right-click on the steam.exe file, and select Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select the file, and hit Alt + Enter.
- Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
- Now, untick the checkbox for Run this program in compatibility mode for and click on OK at the bottom to save the changes. Also, make sure that all the other checkboxes here are disabled.
This is the simplest and most direct fix since the error here is with running Steam in compatibility mode, and disabling it should most likely eliminate the issue.
2. Update Windows
- Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Windows Update from the list of tabs in the navigation pane on the left.
- Next, click on Check for updates on the right to scan for a newer version of the OS.
- If any updates are listed after after the scan, click on Download & install.
Running an outdated version of Windows is just as likely to cause the Steam compatibility mode error. So, it’s recommended that you always keep up-to-date with the latest version.
Also, with each update certain new features, performance enhancements, and patches for previously known bugs are introduced, which are bound to make your system do a lot better.
3. Modify the registry
- Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
- Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
- Now, paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\Layers
- Look through the various items in the navigation pane on the left, until you locate an entry with the path to the Steam launcher (steam.exe), and then right-click on it and select Delete.
- Now, click Yes in the confirmation prompt that pops up.
- Restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.
Since the method requires making changes to the Registry, we recommend you be extra careful here, since a minor lapse could damage the OS. Also, in case things go wrong, you can fix broken registry items by using specialized repair software.
After making the changes, check if the Steam compatibility mode error is fixed. In case it persists, head to the last method.
4. Reinstall Steam
- Press Windows + I to launch Settings, and select Apps from the tabs listed in the navigation pane on the left.
- Click on Apps & features on the right.
- Now, locate the Steam app, click on the ellipsis next to it, and select Uninstall from the flyout menu.
- Again, click Uninstall in the prompt that pops up.
- Once done, you can now download and reinstall Steam.
If there’s a problem with Steam itself, you have no option but to reinstall it, since you are unable to launch the app. And after you have reinstalled it, the Steam compatibility mode error should be fixed.
What do I do if Steam games are not launching?
Most users are not likely to face any issue launching games on Steam, but if that happens, the issue is easily fixable.
You can try reinstalling the game that’s not launching, updating the Steam app and the OS, running the app as administrator, or updating DirectX on your computer.
We have a dedicated guide to fix it when Steam games are not launching, so do check it. Though it’s for Windows 10, the methods listed there should work just as well on the latest iteration as well.
That’s it! By the time you reach this part of the article, the Steam compatibility mode error should be long gone, and you can start playing your favorite games on the platform.
In case your games don’t run smoothly, check what to do if games lag or run slow on Steam.
Tell us which fix worked and your favorite game on Steam, in the comments section below.
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.