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    Are XP games compatible with Vista or Windows 7?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by bassflow, Jul 9, 2009.

  1. bassflow

    bassflow Notebook Evangelist

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    Hey guys,
    Let's say I wanted to play Empire Earth or Rome: Total War, would I be able to play them on Vista or Windows 7? I mean, are they compatible even though they were designed for XP?
    Thanks!
     
    bassflow, Jul 9, 2009
    #1
  2. cloud962

    cloud962 Notebook Consultant

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    yes, you can play them.
     
    cloud962, Jul 9, 2009
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  3. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Most, some older ones, like at the launch of XP (October 2001) might have some compatibilty issues. But those are some pretty dated games, although I play many from that era. If you really want compatibility best to have a dual boot.
     
    HTWingNut, Jul 9, 2009
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  4. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    i don't even know if i would say most. i think most 5 star games even from 2000 or so will work just fine.

    anyway, empire earth / total war work with vista and 7.
     
    masterchef341, Jul 9, 2009
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  5. hehehemann

    hehehemann Notebook Enthusiast

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    hehehemann, Jul 9, 2009
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  6. sirmetman

    sirmetman Notebook Virtuoso

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    The vast majority of programs will work. A big part of MS' market is business, and they keep those customers roped in by making sure all thier poorly coded 20 year old software will keep running on every new version of Windows. There are some that won't, but most games will run fine. I think even most Win95/98 games can still be made to run fairly easily on Vista.
     
    sirmetman, Jul 9, 2009
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  7. masterchef341

    masterchef341 The guy from The Notebook

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    unfortunately this doesn't mean that any game designed for xp will work for windows 7. it is an additional reason that they *should*, but it doesn't mandate it.

    but again, pretty much all modern or semi-modern games will work out of the box. anything made in the past 8 years is basically auto-green lighted to work.
     
    masterchef341, Jul 9, 2009
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  8. bassflow

    bassflow Notebook Evangelist

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    I dont really want to get the Windows 7 RC whatever that is, i'll call it beta. I'm fine with vista until Windows 7 comes out. Was just making sure
     
    bassflow, Jul 9, 2009
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  9. raduque

    raduque Notebook Evangelist

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    The Virtual XP mode emulates an S3 Trio video card. It has absolutely ZERO directX acceleration capabilities. XP Mode was designed to run troublesome business software that's incompatible with Windows 7.
     
    raduque, Jul 9, 2009
    #9