Does Family Tree Maker Work With Windows 11? (Fixes)

I recently purchased a new laptop that came with Windows 11.

One of my first installations was the latest version of Family Tree Maker. I didn’t experience any problems with running FTM on Windows 11.

However, other people have reported various issues on genealogy forums. This article describes several fixes to help you if you encounter similar problems.

And what about older versions of Family Tree Maker? This article reviews whether every version of the genealogy software runs on Windows 11.

Does Family Tree Maker Work With Windows 11?

The versions of Family Tree Maker from 2014 to 2019 work with Windows 11.

The versions from 2008 to 2012 may need an update to your registry using a file provided by MacKiev.

The installation process may have an additional step of installing of a Microsoft component called Visual C++.

This article describes four fixes to address issues that you may experience when installing or running the software.

If you’re wondering about older versions of Windows, check out our article on whether Family Tree Maker works with Windows 10.

Does Family Tree Maker 2019 Work With Windows 11?

Family Tree Maker 2019 was developed before Microsoft released Windows 11.

So, it’s understandable if you are concerned that the application might not work on the new version of Windows.

However, I installed Family Tree Maker 2019 on Windows 11 in March 2022. I’ve been using FTM without any issue since then.

Does Family Tree Maker 2014 Or 2017 Work With Windows 11?

Family Tree Maker 2014 or 2017 will run on Windows 11.

If you experience issues, then the fixes I describe later should work for you.

Does Family Tree Maker 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Or 2012 Work With Windows 11?

Family Tree Maker 2012 will run on Windows 11 but may need an update to the registry.

MacKiev provide a fix and step-by-step instructions at this link.

If you continue to experience issues, then the fixes I describe later should work for you.

Extra Installation Step May Be Needed

Depending on what you’ve already installed on your Windows 11 machine, you may see a new step in the Family Tree Maker installation process.

Recent versions of Windows no longer have a Microsoft component that is needed by the FTM software.

The Family Tree Maker installation process checks to see it can find this component. If it can’t, it will lead you through the installation of the missing component.

The dialog box will look something like this:

You will need to accept the licensing terms for this Microsoft component. Once you’ve ticked the box, the Install button will no longer be greyed out.

Once you’ve clicked the Install button, the component will install.

Now, the FTM installation wizard will take over again and lead you through to completion.

Fix 1 For Windows 11: Administrator Mode

If you’ve jumped from an older version of Windows to Windows 11, then you may be caught out by the extra security features that Microsoft have imposed on the newer operating systems.

In particularly, they’ve put extra checks on both installing software and running software that saves data to your computer.

Be sure to run the installation when you’re logged in as an Administrator.

You can also run the software in Administrator mode.

If this is a personal laptop, then you should be an Administrator by default. But it’s possible to get stuck at a lower level of security.

To be sure, you can right-click the installation file or the application and explicitly choose Administrator mode.

This picture marks the option in the drop-down menu.

Fix 2 For Windows 11: Troubleshoot Compatibility

I’ve looked through genealogy forums and social media to see if people are reporting issues with FTM 2019 on Windows 11.

A few users have raised questions, but most people report that the application is working perfectly.

If you find that the application is crashing, then you can try to get Windows to tell you what the problem is.

Right-click the FTM icon on your desktop and choose “Troubleshoot compatibility” from the long list of items in the drop-down menu.

This feature will guide you through some trouble-shooting tasks.

Fix 3 For Windows 11: Run In Compatibility Mode

Right-click the FTM icon on your desktop and choose “Troubleshoot compatibility” from the long list of items in the drop-down menu.

In the next window, choose the option to “try recommended settings”.

You will get the option to test the software under an older version of Windows.

Fix 4 For Windows 11: MacKiev Customer Support

You can contact MacKiev’s free chat support at this link.

Please note that there are several scam websites that pretend to provide support for FTM and charge you for it.

The official support website provides a free support service through live chat. You should never have to pay for support.

Solving The Problem Of Having a CD Install With No CD Drive

Modern laptops often don’t have CD drives.

So, your problem may be that you have an installation disk but there’s no slot for it on your shiny new laptop.

Here are the easiest ways to get FTM onto your new machine depending on the equipment you have to hand.

Do you still have a computer with a CD drive?

Your new laptop will have a USB drive, and I’ll assume your older working machine also has one too.

The easiest solution is to use your old computer to copy the installation file from the CD to a USB stick (or pen drive).

You can then use the USB stick to transfer the installation file to your new computer.

We advise that you don’t try to run the install straight off a USB stick. This will always be much slower. Some FTM users have also reported that it doesn’t work from a USB stick.

But what if you don’t have access to a computer with a CD drive? We address that next.

Borrow or buy an external CD drive

Can’t find a friend or relative who has an old computer with a CD drive?

Quick tip: try checking with a schoolteacher friend. Our schools often have older equipment tucked away in a corner.

You can pick up an external CD drive for $20 to $25.