How to Fix PC Freeware

Reinstalling Application
1. Reinstall the freeware application in question. A number of factors could contribute to a corrupted program such as multiple applications being open simultaneously or antivirus software actively scanning your computer during program installation.
2. Go to the 'Start' menu and launch the 'Control Panel' applet. Click on 'Uninstall a Program' to launch the Windows 'Add or Remove Programs' feature.
3. Locate the freeware program you wish to remove, highlight it and click 'Uninstall.' Follow all necessary instructions given by the setup wizard until the application is removed from your computer.
4. Reinstall the freeware program as you initially installed it on your PC. If you installed it through an Internet download or CD-ROM, double click on the main installation file to launch the program's installation wizard and follow all setup instructions.
Using Compatibility Mode
5. Use the Windows Compatibility Mode to ensure the freeware program is capable of running with your operating system. Depending on the application at hand, it may not be fully compliant with newer operating systems. Thankfully, Microsoft Windows can force a software emulation of the operating system it runs on through its Compatibility Mode feature. Before proceeding, take note of the program's system requirements through its user's manual or main Internet homepage.
6. Right click on the program's main executable file and select 'Properties.' Go to the 'Compatibility' tab and select 'Run this Program in Compatibility Mode For.' Select the operating system best suited for the freeware application judging by the program's main system requirements previously noted.
7. Select other potentially useful settings such as 'Run in 640 x 480 Screen Resolution' and 'Run in 256 Colors.' Depending on the program's age, it may require a simpler setting like the aforementioned ones. Click on 'OK' to save all settings. Launch the freeware program to ensure it is no longer presenting any issues previously experienced.
Researching Error Code
8. Take note of any error code generated by the freeware application or any other odd behavior. If an error is displayed or if the program reacts in any given way while in use, there may be a relatively high chance of finding the source of the problem through further research.
9. Inspect the program's user's manual in the event the error message in question is commonly known. If present, there may be possible fixes or workarounds listed, all of which depend on the program in question.
10. Perform an Internet search on the error message given by the program in question. Use quotation marks and write the exact error message given or the exact behavior presented by the freeware application. In many cases, there may be other users experiencing a similar problem who often offer solutions to fix the PC freeware program at hand.