Compatibility Administrator is a tool included in the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) that helps resolve application compatibility issues on Windows operating systems. It allows system administrators to create and manage compatibility fixes (shims) for applications that may not work correctly on newer versions of Windows. This tool is essential for ensuring that legacy applications continue to function as expected after an operating system upgrade.

Understanding Compatibility Administrator

Compatibility Administrator provides a database of pre-existing compatibility fixes and allows you to create custom fixes for specific applications. These fixes can be applied to individual applications or globally to the system to address compatibility issues without modifying the application's source code.

How to Install Compatibility Administrator

1. Download the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit:

   • Visit the Microsoft Download Center and search for the "Application Compatibility Toolkit."
   • Download and install the toolkit on your Windows machine.

2. Open Compatibility Administrator:

   • After installation, navigate to the installation directory.
   • Open the Compatibility Administrator tool. You will typically find two versions: one for 32-bit applications and another for 64-bit applications.

How to Create a Compatibility Fix

1. Launch Compatibility Administrator:

   • Open the Compatibility Administrator (32-bit) or (64-bit) depending on the application you are targeting.

2. Create a New Database:

   • Click on File > New to create a new custom database where your compatibility fixes will be stored.

3. Create a New Application Fix:

   • Select Fix from the toolbar or go to File > Create New > Application Fix.
   • Enter the name of the application, the vendor, and the path to the executable file you want to fix.

4. Select Compatibility Modes:

   • Choose a compatibility mode that matches the environment the application was originally designed for (e.g., Windows XP, Windows 7).

5. Select Compatibility Fixes:

   • Browse through the list of available compatibility fixes and select those that address your application's issues. You can also search for specific fixes by entering keywords.

6. Test the Fix:

   • Use the Test Run feature to apply the fix temporarily and test the application without saving the changes permanently.

7. Save the Database:

   • Once satisfied with the fix, save the database by clicking File > Save As and choose a location for your custom database file.

8. Install the Database:

   • To apply the fixes globally, right-click on the custom database and select Install.

How to Execute Compatibility Administrator via CMD

You can also manage compatibility databases using the command-line interface. Here’s a basic example of how to install a compatibility database using the command prompt:

sdbinst.exe "C:\Path\To\Your\Database.sdb"

This command uses sdbinst.exe to install the specified compatibility database file.

Examples

Example 1: Fixing a Legacy Application

Suppose you have an application called LegacyApp.exe that was designed for Windows XP but is having issues on Windows 10. You can create a compatibility fix using Compatibility Administrator as follows:

1. Open Compatibility Administrator.
2. Create a new application fix for LegacyApp.exe.
3. Select the Windows XP compatibility mode.
4. Choose additional fixes like ForceDirectDrawEmulation if the application has graphics issues.
5. Test and save the fix.
6. Install the database to apply the changes system-wide.

Example 2: Using CMD to Apply a Fix

To apply a compatibility fix using CMD, first create and save your database in Compatibility Administrator. Then, use the following command:

sdbinst.exe "C:\Path\To\LegacyAppFix.sdb"

This command installs the compatibility fix for LegacyApp.exe on your system.