Searching for Fixed Applications

  • Article

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Vista

The search functionality in the Compatibility Administrator enables you to locate specific executable (.exe) files with previously applied compatibility fixes, compatibility modes, or AppHelp messages. This is particularly useful if you are trying to identify applications with a specific compatibility fix or what fixes are applied to a specific program.

Note

You have additional search options by using the Query Compatibility Databases tool. For more information, see Searching for Installed Compatibility Fixes with the Query Tool.

Searching for Previously Applied Compatibility Fixes

You can search for any of your previously applied compatibility fixes by using the Search functionality within the Compatibility Administrator.

Important

You must perform your search with the correct version of the Compatibility Administrator tool. If you are searching for a 32-bit custom database, you must use the 32-bit version of the Compatibility Administrator or if you are searching for a 64-bit custom database, you must use the 64-bit version of the Compatibility Administrator.

To search for previous fixes

  1. On the Compatibility Administrator toolbar, click Search.

    The Search for Fixes dialog box appears.

  2. Click Browse to locate the directory location to search for .exe files.

  3. Click a check box to search for Entries with Compatibility Fixes, Entries with Compatibility Modes, or Entries with AppHelp.

Note

You can select all of the check boxes to search for entries with any type of fix.

  1. Click Find Now.

    The query runs, returning your results in the lower pane.

Viewing Your Query Results

Your query results display the affected files, the application location, the application name, the type of compatibility fix (for example, you might see Mode(s),which means that the applied fix is a compatibility mode), and which custom database provided the fix.

Exporting Your Query Results

You can export your search results to a text (.txt) file for later review or for archival purposes.

To export your search results

  1. In the Search for Fixes dialog box, click Export.

    The Save results to a file dialog box appears.

  2. Browse to the location where you intend to store your search result 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