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Yes you can get very old software running in Windows using various compatibility tools. Like isn't it possible to get Windows 3.1 software running on the latest

Yes you can get very old software running in Windows using various compatibility tools. Like isn't it possible to get Windows 3.1 software running on the latest releases of Windows? There's definitely just a setting in Windows 10 to run compatibility modes back to Vista. Earlier versions of windows that can be run in HyperV can go further back. Not so much MacOS after a few years, though they did release Rosetta and Rosetta 2 to handle the transitions to and away from Intel processors.

sumtechguy 4y ago
The only way you can get win311 software working on win10 is to install the 32 bit version (aside from emulation). Not sure win 11 has a 32 bit version. Also win311 apps can be wildly picky what sort of dlls are installed. So your mileage can vary.
- theodric 4y ago
  There are workarounds, e.g. http://www.columbia.edu/~em36/ntvdmx64.html http://www.columbia.edu/~em36/ntvdmx64.html
unyttigfjelltol 4y ago
On Linux, as long as the program is compatible with Wine[1] to begin with, Wine will support programs that that require basically any Windows version. Maybe this specific community needs to spin up some Ubuntu or OpenSuse boxes? [1] https://www.winehq.org/ https://www.winehq.org/
cratermoon 4y ago
Yes, I'm running some proprietary software for my Nikon Coolscan film scanner. Compatibility mode and a some other stuff.
TylerE 4y ago
No, and it's much more thorny than you make it out to me. Windows Vista (I think... 7 for sure) and later cannot run 16bit exes at all. While the software itself was 32bit, many of the intallers of that era were Intallshield/InstallerWise that were still actually 16bit, so while if you could get the thing installed...you can't.
- nradov 4y ago
  Windows 7 included an "XP Mode" virtual machine which could run 16 bit applications.
- iforgotpassword 4y ago
  Wrong, it's the 64 bit versions that can't run 16 bit software. But even Windows 10 can run 3.11 apps if you use the 32 bit release.

sumtechguy 4y ago

The only way you can get win311 software working on win10 is to install the 32 bit version (aside from emulation). Not sure win 11 has a 32 bit version. Also win311 apps can be wildly picky what sort of dlls are installed. So your mileage can vary.

theodric 4y ago
There are workarounds, e.g. http://www.columbia.edu/~em36/ntvdmx64.html http://www.columbia.edu/~em36/ntvdmx64.html

unyttigfjelltol 4y ago

On Linux, as long as the program is compatible with Wine[1] to begin with, Wine will support programs that that require basically any Windows version. Maybe this specific community needs to spin up some Ubuntu or OpenSuse boxes? [1] https://www.winehq.org/ https://www.winehq.org/

cratermoon 4y ago

Yes, I'm running some proprietary software for my Nikon Coolscan film scanner. Compatibility mode and a some other stuff.

TylerE 4y ago

No, and it's much more thorny than you make it out to me. Windows Vista (I think... 7 for sure) and later cannot run 16bit exes at all. While the software itself was 32bit, many of the intallers of that era were Intallshield/InstallerWise that were still actually 16bit, so while if you could get the thing installed...you can't.

nradov 4y ago
Windows 7 included an "XP Mode" virtual machine which could run 16 bit applications.
iforgotpassword 4y ago
Wrong, it's the 64 bit versions that can't run 16 bit software. But even Windows 10 can run 3.11 apps if you use the 32 bit release.