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Windows 11: Can't install ACT6 (a legacy program)

Anonymous
2025-01-09T07:44:49+00:00

Forgive me if I am in the wrong forum...

My question relates to Windows 11.

I recently migrated from Windows 7 to Windows 11 and found that one of my legacy programs (ACT6) won't install. I get the following message: 

"This app can't run on your PC. 

 To find a version for your PC, check with the software publisher".

ACT (=Activity Control Technology) was first released in 1987 and was the dominant player in the CRM market during the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s. I am using a very old version from 2002 (ACT6). Nevertheless, I am very happy with the program:

  • It does everything I need
  • I own the license, therefore no monthly fees
  • I've never encountered a technical issue which I could not solve myself. Therefore, I do not have to rely upon costly ACT consultants.
  • ACT6 is a desktop program. Therefore, it is not clunky like cloud-based CRM programs.

Right now I have it running on a virtual machine (VMbox/XP). However I prefer having it on Win11. Someone told me that there may be a way to get programs like this to install on Win11.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

''''''''''''

PS. Jan31/2025. I added a solution to this problem all the way at the end of this post.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-28T21:02:16+00:00

    I finally got ACT6 to install on Win11.

    Instead of launching the file named Setup.exe residing at the root of the ACT6 installation disk, I launched the file named Setup.exe residing two levels down at \ACT6\ACT6 .

    The two files are not identical. The first is 10KB and the second is 72KB.

    My guess is that File1 launches File2. However I wonder what's in File1 that triggers Win11 to stop the installation??.

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  2. Emmanuel Santana 38,840 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-01-09T08:20:59+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community. I'm here to help with your questions or issues. Just note – this is a place where passionate Microsoft users help each other, we don't work directly for Microsoft.

    I'm not familiar with the ACT6 program, but could it possibly be a 16-bit application?

    When dealing with legacy software, I usually try using compatibility mode. You can give it a shot by following these steps:

    1. Right-click on the ACT6 installation file (e.g., setup.exe).
    2. Select Properties and go to the Compatibility tab.
    3. Enable Run this program in compatibility mode for and choose either Windows XP (Service Pack 3) or Windows 7 from the dropdown.
    4. Check the box for "Run this program as an administrator".
    5. Click Apply, then attempt to run the installer again.

    Let me know if this works, and we can troubleshoot further if needed.

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  3. Emmanuel Santana 38,840 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-01-10T06:59:18+00:00

    I asked about the 16bit program because DOSBox is perfect for that.

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  4. Emmanuel Santana 38,840 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-01-10T06:59:06+00:00

    Got it. Unfortunately, this is a limitation when it comes to compatibility with these types of programs. Another option, aside from running Windows 10 in a virtual machine, is using DOSBox—an emulator that provides a DOS environment.

    Here’s how you could try this approach:

    1. Download and install DOSBox.
    2. Mount the directory containing the ACT6 installer in DOSBox (refer to the DOSBox documentation for instructions on mounting drives).
    3. Run the installer within the DOSBox environment.

    While this might work, it’s a bit of a long shot as a workaround.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-01-09T18:52:14+00:00

    Hi Emmanuel:

    Thank you for your quick response.

    > I'm not familiar with the ACT6 program, but could it possibly be a 16-bit application?

    Yes.

    > try using compatibility mode

    Ok, I tried it for Win7 compatibility mode and got the same message, "This app can't run on your PC."

    Same thing with XP , Win98 and Win95 modes.

    Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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