DOS-based games run fine using DOS-box, which is a DOS emulator. I have played Dune 2, Pinball Dreams, Pinball Fantasy and Whacky Wheels without much hassle on my Vista x64 box. I have found that DOS-box runs about 95% of DOS based programs without a hitch.... well actually, for me personally it is 100% as I have not encountered a program yet that did NOT work.
Check here: »
www.dosbox.com/As far as Windows programs go, 16-bit Windows programs (and old installers) will no longer run. For non-gaming based software, you can download the free Virtual PC from Microsoft, and install a 32-bit version of Windows XP in it, or maybe even an old Windows 98, Me, or 2000 you have laying around. That will allow you to run 16 bit Windows programs just fine.
See here for VirtualPC: »
www.microsoft.com/downlo ··· ylang=enThere are a few programs that will require a 64bit version, and those that do require them have 64bit versions available.
Anti-Virus is one example, but even the free ones such as AVG and Avast offer 64bit versions. AutoCAD is another, and again offers a 64bit version, it already comes with the AutoCAD 2008 and 2009 DVD's.
The one game I had an issue with is Monkey Island 4: Escape From Monkey Island. This game from 2000 has a 16bit installer. However, someone on the web made a installer/launcher that works perfectly, as the game is 32bit. Same thing for the original StarCraft, it has a 16bit installer, but fans provide a workaround installer to install it on Vista x64.
As for games, since most of them do NOT REQUIRE registry entries, you can work around a 16bit installer problem by installing them within the VirtualPC session of a 32bit Windows, then copying them through a mapped drive to your 64bit Vista, and then play them. As long as the game itself is 32bit, it should run.