[Fix] “This App can’t Run on this Device” Message from Program Compatibility Assistant in Windows

Recently while trying to install an older version of a software program in one of my Windows 10 computer systems, I received following error message:

Following screenshot shows the error message dialog box displaying in Windows:

If you also face this kind of incompatible software version problem while installing or running a program in your Windows PC, this tutorial will help you in fixing the issue.

Actually this error message is shown by Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA) tool which comes preinstalled with Windows operating system. It monitors and checks whether a software program is compatible with installed Windows version or not. If it finds a software is compatible, it allows the user to install and run the program but if it detects known compatibility problems in an incompatible software program, it blocks the user from installing or running the program and displays above mentioned warning message.

Following are some methods which will help you in troubleshooting or bypassing the error message issue and installing or using the program in Windows:

METHOD 1: Click on “Learn More” Link Given in Error Message Box

First thing you should try is clicking the “Learn more” button present in the error message dialog box. Most of the times, it opens the problematic software website’s homepage to download a new version of the software which might be compatible with your installed Windows version.

METHOD 2: Check Software Official Website to Download Latest Version

If “Learn more” link doesn’t work for you, you should go to the official website of the software program and check whether there is a new version available of the software. If you find a new version, you should download and install it in your computer system which will not cause any incompatible error message issue.

METHOD 3: Launch Software Setup or Installer in Compatibility Mode

If you can’t find a new version of the software program or you don’t want to install new version and want to install the old version of the software program, you should try to install it using compatibility settings.

Windows allows users to install or run incompatible programs in previous Windows version’s compatibility mode.

1. Right-click on the setup or installer’s EXE file of the software program which you are trying to install and select Properties option from the context menu.

If the software is already installed but you are receiving above mentioned error message while trying to launch it, right-click on the program’s shortcut or EXE file and select Properties option.

2. Now go to Compatibility tab present in properties window.

3. Now enable or select “Run this program in compatibility mode for” option.

4. Now select an older version of Windows from the drop-down box. You’ll find almost all Windows versions such as Windows 95, 98, Me, XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 available to select in the drop-down list.

First try to select previous version of Windows for example, if you are using Windows 10, then try to select Windows 8 and apply changes.

Now try to run the installer or launch the installed program and now it should work.

If you still get same error message, try to select more older version of Windows in Compatibility settings and then try to launch the setup program.

METHOD 4: Disable Program Compatibility Assistant Service

You can also try to disable or stop Program Compatibility Assistant Service (PcaSvc) which is used by the tool to check software programs for compatibility issues. Once you disable the service, you should be able to install and use the software without any error message.

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box, type services.msc and press Enter. It’ll open Service Manager.

2. Now scroll down and look for Program Compatibility Assistant Service present in the list.

3. Double-click on the service and it’ll open properties window. Click on Stop button to immediately stop the service.

Now set “Startup type” to “Disabled” from the drop-down box and apply changes.

Now try to run the software setup or executable and it should run fine.

METHOD 5: Find Alternatives to Software Program

If nothing works, then it’s time to find alternatives to the software program. There might be many free and better software programs available which provide similar functionality and features.

You should search for the alternatives and start using them as there might be security risks and performance issues in using an old and outdated version of software program which is no longer supported by the software developer.

Also Check:

[Tip] Restrict Any Desired Program from Running in Windows

How to Completely Uninstall / Remove a Software Program in Windows