Old XP software on Windows 7 Compatibility Mode

I have an old video player software that works happily on XP but refuses to play in Windows 7. I have tried "Compatibility Mode", which of course doesn't work (does it ever?)

The software plays proprietary CCTV video files and is the only software able to do this. I need to get it to play in Windows 7. I can play it in a Virtual Box XP or XP mode, but that is a pain for my application.

My question is: What might be preventing the software from playing? How might I go about finding the problem?

The software is a stand-along single exe. It doesn't install. Double clic开发者_高级运维k on the exe in XP and it opens and plays. Double click in Win7 and it opens and shows a black play window.

Alternatively, is there any 3rd party software out there that does a better version of "compatibility mode"?

Any thoughts?

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Legacy, XP software is a hit-or-miss within Windows 7. I've been through the headaches many times with software that I have to distribute using older software that was released initially for Win XP.

The only consistent solution that I have found has been to have my users use Windows 7 Professional or Enterprise and download and install Windows XP Mode. Windows XP Mode is effectively a virtual machine of Windows XP running in Win7. Using this method, I haven't had any problems. You can find information about XP Mode, as well as downloading and installing instructions from the Microsoft XP Mode web page.