Windows 10: Seeking tool on Windows7 to check program-compatibility with Windows10

Hello,

with my 7-year old Windows 7 PC slowly breaking down, I'm seeking to buy a new PC; but first, I gotta know if all my important programs will still work with Windows 10.

So I'm looking for the compatibility report tool that can scan my current Windows 7 PC and tell me which of my programs might (not) work properly on Windows 10, even the eccentric old or "indie developed" ones that aren't in any "compatibility lists" online and haven't gotten updated in 15 years. *Wink

I know Microsoft used to offer a tool like this when Windows 10 first came out, but now I can't find it. *Huh

Only tools I found go straight to "install windows 10 on this PC / prepare Windows 10 installation files on a USB-stick".

Since program compatibility heavily influences what kind of PC I will buy, I kinda need to know this in advance. *Rolleyes

(I.e., if I'm going to have to bend over backwards trying to find a PC that can still run Windows 7 as a secondary OS, or if a VM will suffice. If it's a program I use constantly, requiring the VM to run "24/7", thus needing to buy a PC with more RAM to be able to compensate for the overhead, etc. -_-# )



As a side-question, what about "feature updates"? When buying a Windows 10 PC, do I have to live in constant fear that one day it'll suddenly say "yeah, remember your old drawing and animation software? They're incompatible now. Also, you need to buy a new tablet."? *Eek

Quite frankly, the prospect of "feature" updates are the biggest turn-off of Windows 10 for me. For all I know, 5 years from now, programs or hardware I've used for years might suddenly stop working! That sounds terrifying! *Sick

:)

 

Seeking tool on Windows7 to check program-compatibility with Windows10


Hello,

with my 7-year old Windows 7 PC slowly breaking down, I'm seeking to buy a new PC; but first, I gotta know if all my important programs will still work with Windows 10.

So I'm looking for the compatibility report tool that can scan my current Windows 7 PC and tell me which of my programs might (not) work properly on Windows 10, even the eccentric old or "indie developed" ones that aren't in any "compatibility lists" online and haven't gotten updated in 15 years. *Wink

I know Microsoft used to offer a tool like this when Windows 10 first came out, but now I can't find it. *Huh

Only tools I found go straight to "install windows 10 on this PC / prepare Windows 10 installation files on a USB-stick".

Since program compatibility heavily influences what kind of PC I will buy, I kinda need to know this in advance. *Rolleyes

(I.e., if I'm going to have to bend over backwards trying to find a PC that can still run Windows 7 as a secondary OS, or if a VM will suffice. If it's a program I use constantly, requiring the VM to run "24/7", thus needing to buy a PC with more RAM to be able to compensate for the overhead, etc. -_-# )



As a side-question, what about "feature updates"? When buying a Windows 10 PC, do I have to live in constant fear that one day it'll suddenly say "yeah, remember your old drawing and animation software? They're incompatible now. Also, you need to buy a new tablet."? *Eek

Quite frankly, the prospect of "feature" updates are the biggest turn-off of Windows 10 for me. For all I know, 5 years from now, programs or hardware I've used for years might suddenly stop working! That sounds terrifying! *Sick

 

Seeking tool on Windows7 to check program-compatibility with Windows10


Safer to ask about the specific programs, Microsoft did have an upgrade tool that listed what wouldn't work in Win10, however every thing it said wouldn't, here did on upgrading, Installing on one or two old programs needed run as Win7 just on the installer.

 

Seeking tool on Windows7 to check program-compatibility with Windows10

Since your old Win 7 computer is dying, what difference does it make if the old programs run or not, you will still have to upgrade to a new computer.

Also, unless you have the original install media you will not be able to reinstall them on Windows 10 without the use of paid for software (I don't remember the names but I'm sure others will).

Here is my suggestion, probably needs work:

How sick is the Win 7 computer. If it's still usable, you could create an image backup to an external hard drive using Macrium Reflect Free then upgrade it to Windows 10 which you can still do for free even though it's no longer advertised.

If that works then you could just copy the upgraded C: drive to a new Windows 10 system replacing what is there (after making an image backup of it first of course) and it will most likely boot and run okay, That will give you Windows 10 on new hardware with all or most of your old programs still installed. How many of them will run I have no idea.