Run old .exe files in Windows 11

[Sheppard_za]

Hi, I received an old program that consists of a .exe file, a .ms file, a .hlp file and a .ini file.

Any idea how I can get it to work in Windows 11? Compatibility mode does not work. The error I get is "this app can't run on your PC - To find a version for your PC, check with the software publisher".

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[My_King]

DosBox perhaps?

 

[krieg]

Hi, I received an old program that consists of a .exe file, a .ms file, a .hlp file and a .ini file.

Any idea how I can get it to work in Windows 11? Compatibility mode does not work. The error I get is "this app can't run on your PC - To find a version for your PC, check with the software publisher".

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

It's a 16 bit file, you need to run it in Virtualbox or similar.

 

[Sheppard_za]

DosBox perhaps?

DosBox says it requires Windows.

 

[Sheppard_za]

It's a 16 bit file, you need to run it in Virtualbox or similar.

Thanks, I will look into using Virtualbox.

 

[Herr der Verboten]

Thanks, I will look into using Virtualbox.

Still going to need windows xp/98se...

 

[waynehooper]

Hi, I received an old program that consists of a .exe file, a .ms file, a .hlp file and a .ini file.

Any idea how I can get it to work in Windows 11? Compatibility mode does not work. The error I get is "this app can't run on your PC - To find a version for your PC, check with the software publisher".

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Try changing the computer date back to 2012. I found this works when trying to install old versions of Pastel Accounting. Seems to be a certificate problem.

 

[Nod]

Thanks, I will look into using Virtualbox.

You could try Windows 3.11 (https://winworldpc.com/product/windows-3/311)
Win 98 is here: https://winworldpc.com/product/windows-98/98-second-edition

 

[Rickster]

Curious to know what this old program does.

 

[My_King]

Curious to know what this old program does.

Johnny Castaway screensaver

 

[zerocool2009]

Doesnt if have a compatible mode when you right click and properties?

 

[krieg]

Johnny Castaway screensaver

There is a 64 bit version available if you are feeling nostalgic.

 

[Gozzy]

Get an old PC, I have a Win98 / XP PC for this reason, not only is it a bit of a time capsule but also serves a purpose for things that don't work properly on my current PC, nothing beats running old software on bare metal, well for me anyways.

 

[Herr der Verboten]

Curious to know what this old program does.

8bit strip poker..

 

[Herr der Verboten]

Get an old PC, I have a Win98 / XP PC for this reason, not only is it a bit of a time capsule but also serves a purpose for things that don't work properly on my current PC, nothing beats running old software on bare metal, well for me anyways.

Unless it's retro gaming; a vm will do the job. Whether it's os or machine emulation.

 

[Gozzy]

Unless it's retro gaming; a vm will do the job. Whether it's os or machine emulation.

Agreed I didn't say it wouldn't work, but depends what the use case here is, the OP has not made it clear what this software is yet.

 

[Sheppard_za]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try reverting my date to 2012 and then look into Windows 3.1 or 98 as suggested by @Nod .

The program is an old program to model river flows similar to other 1D river models that are available, but it has a specific use case that we are looking into.

 

[Sheppard_za]

Just an update, I was able to get it working using WineVDM. Thanks for all the input.

Setting my date back did not work except for signing me out of all the software where I have to be logged in to work.

 

[Nawaar]

Try changing the computer date back to 2012. I found this works when trying to install old versions of Pastel Accounting. Seems to be a certificate problem.

Hi, one a side note, where would you get old copies of Pastel Accounting, like v6 maybe?.

 

[waynehooper]

Hi, one a side note, where would you get old copies of Pastel Accounting, like v6 maybe?.

I have copies of all the old versions, PM me your email address and I’ll send you a link