Searching for Installed Compatibility Fixes with the Query Tool

  • Article

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Vista

You can access the Query tool from within the Compatibility Administrator. This tool provides the same functionality as using the Search feature, described in the Searching for Fixed Applications topic. However, the Query tool provides more detailed search criteria, including tabs that enable you to search in the program properties, the compatibility fix properties, the fix description. You can perform a search by using SQL SELECT and WHERE clauses, in addition to searching specific types of databases.

Important

You must perform your search with the correct version of the Compatibility Administrator tool. To use the Query tool to search for a 32-bit custom database, you must use the 32-bit version of the Compatibility Administrator. To use the Query tool to search for a 64-bit custom database, you must use the 64-bit version of the Compatibility Administrator.

Querying by Using the Program Properties Tab

You can use the Program Properties tab of the Query tool to search for any compatibility fix, compatibility mode, or AppHelp for a specific application.

To query by using the Program Properties tab

  1. On the Compatibility Administrator toolbar, click Query.

    The Query Compatibility Databases dialog box appears with the Program Properties tab showing.

  2. Select the appropriate database type to search from in the Look in drop-down list.

  3. Type the location of the application you are searching for into the Search for the Application field.

Important

This name should be the same as the name in the Applications area (left pane) of the Compatibility Administrator.

  1. Type the application executable (.exe) file name into the Search for the File box. If you leave this box blank, the percent (%) sign appears as a wildcard to search for any file.

Important

You must designate the executable name given when the compatibility fix was added to the database.

  1. Optionally, select the check box for one of the following fix types:

    • Compatibility Modes

    • Compatibility Fixes

    • Application Helps

Important

If you do not select any of the check boxes, the search will look for any of the fix types. Do not select multiple check boxes because only applications that match all of the requirements will appear.

  1. Click Find Now.

    The query runs and returns results in the lower pane.

Querying by Using the Fix Properties Tab

You can use the Fix Properties tab of the Query tool to search for any application affected by a specific compatibility fix or a compatibility mode. For example, you can search for any application affected by the ProfilesSetup compatibility mode.

To query by using the Fix Properties tab

  1. On the Compatibility Administrator toolbar, click Query.

    The Query Compatibility Databases dialog box appears with the Program Properties tab showing.

  2. Click the Fix Properties tab.

  3. Select the appropriate database type to search from in the Look in drop-down list.

  4. Type the name of the compatibility fix or compatibility mode into the Search for programs fixed using field.

Note

You can use the percent (%) symbol as a wildcard in your fix properties query.

  1. Select the check box for either Search in Compatibility Fixes or Search in Compatibility Modes.

Important

Your text must match the type of compatibility fix or mode for which you are performing the query. For example, entering the name of a compatibility fix and selecting the compatibility mode check box will not return any results. Additionally, if you select both check boxes, the query will search for the fix by compatibility mode and compatibility fix. Only applications that match both requirements appear.

  1. Click Find Now.

    The query runs and returns results in the lower pane.

Querying by Using the Fix Description Tab

You can use the Fix Description tab of the Query tool to add parameters that enable you to search your compatibility databases by application title or solution description text.

To query by using the Fix Description tab

  1. On the Compatibility Administrator toolbar, click Query.

    The Query Compatibility Databases dialog box appears with the Program Properties tab showing.

  2. Click the Fix Description tab.

  3. Select the appropriate database type to search from, in the Look in drop-down list.

  4. Type your search keywords into the box Words to look for, separating multiple keywords with commas.

Important

You cannot use wildcards (*) as part of the Fix Description search query because the default behavior is to search for any entry that meets your search criteria.

  1. Refine your search by selecting Match any word or Match all words from the drop-down list.

  2. Click Find Now.

    The query runs and returns results in the lower pane.

Querying by Using the Fix Description Tab

You can use the Fix Description tab of the Query tool to add additional SQL Server SELECT and WHERE clauses to your search criteria.

To query by using the Advanced tab

  1. On the Compatibility Administrator toolbar, click Query.

    The Query Compatibility Databases dialog box appears with the Program Properties tab showing.

  2. Click the Advanced tab.

  3. Select the appropriate database type to search from, in the Look in drop-down list.

  4. Select the appropriate SELECT clause for your search from the Select clauses box. For example, APP_NAME.

    The APP_NAME clause appears in the SELECT field. You can add as many additional clauses as you require. They will appear as columns in your search results.

  5. Select the appropriate WHERE clause for your search from the Where clauses box. For example, DATABASE_NAME.

    The DATABASE_NAME = clause appears in the WHERE box.

  6. Type the appropriate clause criteria after the equal (=) sign in the WHERE box. For example, DATABASE_NAME = "Custom_Database".

Important

You must surround your clause criteria text with quotation marks (") for the clause to function properly.

  1. Click Find Now.

    The query runs and returns results in the lower pane.

Exporting Your Search Results

You can export any of your search results into a tab-delimited text (.txt) file for later review or for archival purposes.

To export your results

  1. After you have completed your search by using the Query tool, click Export.

    The Save results to a file dialog box appears.

  2. Browse to the location where you intend to store the search results file, and then click Save.

See Also

Concepts

Compatibility Administrator Tool
Known Compatibility Fixes, Compatibility Modes, and AppHelp Messages

Other Resources

Testing and Mitigating Issues by Using the Development Tools