Tips and tricks for Windows 10 and 11 users
- All references for Windows 10 are also valid for Windows 11 users.
- For a list of compatible games, click here!
- For a list of games that are not compatible or don't have an optimal playing experience, click here!
This article contains help for the issues listed below. To go directly to the section you need, simply click on this from the below list.
- Games won't open
- Downloaded/installed games again but won't open
- Blank or black screen/suddenly stops working/too big for screen
- Games won't open in full screen
- Game is flashing
IMPORTANT: As a general first step, please always check if Windows 10 has an update available and perform the update if required as this may mean you don't need to try any of the steps below.
Games won't open after upgrading to Windows 10
Games already installed on your computer before upgrading may not open or work correctly.
Solution - Uninstall and redownload your games
1. Click on the Start menu, then click on ‘Control Panel’
2. Then click on ‘Programs’ and then open ‘Programs and Features’
3. Select the game you want to uninstall and then click ‘Uninstall’
Games download and install, however they won't open
Solution - Change compatibility settings
1. Right-click on the game icon from the desktop and choose Properties.
2. Select the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 3) and also try (Service Pack 2) if 3 does not solve the problem. Please also try this by choosing the Windows 7 option if Windows XP does not work.
4. Importantly, make sure you check the box run this as an administrator
5. Click Apply and then OK.
6. Start a game. You should now be able to play this game.
Blank/black screen, game suddenly stops working, game too big for screen
Solution 1 - Adjust screen resolution settings
1. Right click on the game icon, choose properties
2. Then go to the compatibility tab and scroll down, check the box of Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution
3. Then click on apply and try again to play the game.
Solution 2 - change to windowed mode
To switch between full screen and windowed mode, choose the ALT and ENTER keys on your keyboard.
Solution 3 - Override high DPI scaling behavior
1. Make a right click on the game icon and open 'Properties'
2. Under the Compatibility tab check the boxes for:
- Override high DPI scaling behavior. Scaling performed by Application
- Disable fullscreen optimization
- Run this program as an administrator
3. Apply the changes and then open and try the game again
Games won't open in full screen anymore
Solution 1 - Reduced color mode
1. Right click on the game icon, choose properties.
2. Then go to the compatibility tab and scroll down, check the box of reduced color mode.
3. In the dropdown menu below that box, choose 16-color bit.
4. Then click on apply and try again to play the game.
Solution 2 - compatibility trouble-shooter
1. Right click on the game icon
2. Select properties and then the compatibility tab.
3. Then click on: run compatibility trouble-shooter.
Solution 3 - Run the game as administrator
1. Right-click on the game icon from the desktop and choose Properties.
2. Select the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 3) and also try (Service Pack 2) if 3 does not solve the problem. Please also try this by choosing the Windows 7 option if Windows XP does not work.
4. Importantly, make sure you check the box run this as an administrator
5. Click Apply and then OK.
6. Start a game. You should now be able to play this game.
Solution - Play the game in windowed mode
To switch between full screen and windowed mode, choose the ALT and ENTER keys on your keyboard.