Changing the Data Execution Prevention (DEP) settings

Problems with an older game or software title crashing on your Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 PC? Try changing the Data Execution Prevention (DEP) settings. Newer versions of Windows include a new security mechanism called Data Execution Prevention (DEP). DEP stops programs running instructions or code that they shouldn’t. It’s a security mechanism to help stop hackers exploiting programming errors. Because of this, you shouldn’t disable it except where a program is specifically incompatible with it. Several older games titles are incompatible with DEP and so if you want to play those games you will need to disable DEP protection for them.

To start the video presentation, please click on the picture below.

[fvplayer src=’http://topwindowstutorials-video.s3.amazonaws.com/PCMaintenanceTutorials/change-dep-settings.mp4′ width=570 height=440 autoplay=false splash=’https://www.top-windows-tutorials.com/images/2013/05/new-splash-570-440-blue.png’]

Additional notes

As stated above, there is a small security risk to disabling DEP protection for a program. Try other compatibility options first before you disable DEP. When a program is incompatible with DEP, it will most likely crash back to the desktop. Disabling DEP will usually not help with fixing issues such as corrupt graphics, for instance.

Back from DEP Settings Tutorial to Vista/Windows 7 Troubleshooting

Back to Home Page

Discuss this page in our forum.