Windows Vista/7 Home   Previous   Top   

Windows Vista/7

Vista/Windows 7 include a feature called 'User Account Control'. It was intended to provide additional security on computers which are used by more than one person. Only the 'Administrator' can make global changes on the computer (like installing software). It's complex, confusing and very annoying. (Click Start, Help, search for 'Administrator' to learn more.)

If you would like to 'easily' resolve all Vista issues, uninstall it and install Windows XP (Service Pack 3) or when Windows 7 Professional (which so far doesn't appear to be as 'bad' as Vista). This will be a minor inconvenience as compared to the Vista fiasco. A local IT tech can replace Vista with XP in short time and the small cost will be well worthwhile.

Stuck with Vista?

If you can't replace Vista with XP or Win7, or feel like you are up to the challenge of using it appropriately, please read on.

For Vista/Win7 go to the Control Panel and click on User Accounts then click on 'Turn User Account Control on or off'. Uncheck 'User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer' and click 'OK'. (If you are the only person using the computer, or trust others who are using it, there is nothing to protect against. If you have employees, BCSS Diamond or Virtual will provide the means to block them from accessing private information in BCSS.)

BCSS and Vista/Win7

Vista requires that software be installed as 'XP Compatible'. If BCSS was installed directly (by clicking on the installation file - bcss-intro.exe, bcss-deluxe.exe, bcss-diamond.exe, bcss-virtual.exe - your PC may not show the .exe if file extensions are turned off), then BCSS was not installed as XP Compatible. Please back up your data (if you wish to save it), uninstall BCSS and follow the steps below:

  1. BCSS is updated frequently so download BCSS again to assure that you have the most recent version. Use these links for direct download:
  2. Make sure you are logged into Windows as Administrator. IF you are uncertain, reboot the computer. When the Windows Log In Screen appears, choose the Admin account.
  3. After downloading BCSS, RIGHT click on the BCSS installation file (the file that was downloaded).
  4. Select Properties.
  5. For Vista, click on the Compatibility tab.
  6. Check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:'
  7. Use the drop-down menu and select Windows XP Service Pack 2. (Select Service Pack 3 if it is available.)
  8. Click OK.
  9. Double click on the installation file to install BCSS.
  10. After installation, on the Desktop, RIGHT click on the BCSS icon.
  11. Select Properties then click on the Compatibility tab.
  12. Check 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:'
  13. Use the drop-down menu and select Windows XP Service Pack 2. (Select Service Pack 3 if it is available.)
  14. Click OK.
  15. Click on the BCSS Desktop icon to run BCSS.

Some machines will not allow for the BCSS Desktop icon to be configured to run as XP compatible. If that happens, it will be necessary to start BCSS by right-clicking on the BCSS icon then selecting 'Run as administrator'.

If BCSS is not installed as XP Compatible and/or run as Administrator, the BCSS serial number (under Help, Program Registration) may be displayed as the letter 'L' which is an invalid serial number. Uninstall BCSS and follow the steps above to reinstall it with Vista.

Please note that BCSS is compatible with Vista/Win7. This cumbersome installation is a Microsoft requirement that applies to any and all software being installed on Vista/Win7 machines, which is one reason why many Vista users have had their PCs reformatted with XP reinstalled. XP is simply less complicated.

For free email support, send us an email. (Add the domain name mm.st to your email program's Approved Senders List or White List to lessen the chance that spam filters will block our emails to you. (Instructions) For phone and remote PC help, contact: Joy Archer, enJoy Consigning Services, 972-898-7921 (NY), Email, or Computer Mechanics, 800-448-1436 (MI), email.