can you play games designed for xp and vista on windows 7?

Hi Irishboy,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers.

Method 1:

I would suggest you to check whether the games are compatible with the windows 7. Follow the link mentioned below to check whether the games are compatible. Enter your game and select software and then click search. You may get a list of games that is compatible with Windows 7.

Windows 7 Compatibility Center.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/default.aspx

Method 2:

You can also try to play the game in compatibility mode.

1.      Click Start Collapse this imageExpand this imagand then type the name of the program in the Start Search box.

2.      In the Programs list, right-click the program name and then click Properties.

3.      On the Compatibility tab, click to select the Run this program in compatibility mode for check box.

4.      In the list, select an operating system and then click OK.

For further reference follow the article mentioned below.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows7/Make-older-programs-run-in-this-version-of-Windows

Method 3:

You can also play the game as an administrator.

1.      Right click the shortcut of the game or the main game.

2.      Select properties.

3.      Select compatibility tab and select "Run this program as an administrator."

Hope this information is helpful.

 Thank you and Regards.           

Thahaseena M
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer.
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