Can you make a shortcut to the compatibility troubleshooter? (Windows 10)

Question

Something with some Windows update screwed up my Steam. I've literally tried everything to fix it, but the only thing that works is right clicking, properties, compatibility troubleshooter, launch in Windows 8 compatibility mode.

If I set it to that in the actual compatibility tab, it doesn't work. I have to launch it through the compatibility troubleshooter. I have no idea why this happens, but it just does.

So I'm wondering if there is a way to make a shortcut that will launch the troubleshooter without me having to right click and do all that stuff. Or better yet, a shortcut that just does exactly what the "test this program" button does when it launches Steam, whatever that may be. I'm just trying to eliminate some steps here.

Answer 1

When you click the "Run compatibility troubleshooter" button, pcwrun.exe starts, generates an XML file, launches msdt.exe with the path to that file, and swiftly exits. To launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter for a specific program, pass the full path of the program's executable to pcwrun.exe. Assuming you're on a 64-bit machine, pasting this into the Create Shortcut window's path box will do the job:

pcwrun "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe"

If your computer is 32-bit, remove the (x86) from the path to Steam.

Answer 2

If there is a way to make a shortcut that will launch the troubleshooter?

Yes:

1. right-click on an empty area on your desktop.

2. Select New > Shortcut. In the first box of the Create Shortcut Wizard, copy-paste the following in the box:

   %systemroot%\system32\msdt.exe -id PCWDiagnostic
   

   

3. Click Next.

4. Name the shortcut : Compatibility Shortcut and click Finish.

Then select an appropriate icon for it.

Source Create Program Compatibility Troubleshooter shortcut