Software is a funny thing. You get used to using something and you never move on. Such is the case with me and Windows Draw by Micrografx. Somehow I started using it in the late 1990s, probably 1996, and have used it ever since as my drawing program. I’ve look at newer programs like Corel Draw, but they are tougher to use. Windows Draw is a simple program, easy to use and does what I need. The problem is it’s no longer made. What I am saying? Windows Draw isn’t even supported anymore.
Micrografx was bought by Sierra, which then sold the program to Corel. Corel has long since ceased any development of the program and now Micrografx Windows Draw is abandonware. Luckily, I still have my original CDs dated 1996 and they install fine under Windows XP.
Today I had a mini-panic episode. When Doom 3 came out I bought a new PC and of course I didn’t move all the programs over. Today I needed to create a graphic, but I couldn’t find the Windows Draw CDs. I hunted all over and an hour after the search began my wife found them. Gotta love the wife. During my search I looked on the internet to see if I could find someone who had the originals for download. No one had them, but I did come across some great resources.
The first site I came across was a forum post talking about support issues with Windows Draw. They detailed how to install, where to find patches and more. There are three patches for Windows Draw that are important. The first is fix60.exe, which allows people who experience a time limit bug to get around it. The second is wd6updat.exe, which addresses some minor bug issues. The last one is wdrawdll.exe, which replaces one of the core DLLs. The ironic thing is that these are located on a Sierra FTP site.
The second site I came across was on About.com and is titled Windows Draw User Resources. The author has put together a list of places to find help and to discuss the program. She also lets you know about other draw programs that might take the place of Windows Draw. I tried a few and they don’t live up to the ease of use.
If you check on eBay you can find a few copies of the program for sale, but don’t count on any official support. I’ve since made triplicate copies of the CD in case I lose them again.
Related posts:
I have micrografx windows draw 6 plus the ceate a card .The problem is I cant install it on XP .I’ve been told it’s because of an update .So If anyone can fix the prob for me I will be happy to burn them a copy of Micrografx windows draw 6 . April 2011
Hi, I’ve got micrografx windows draw 6 premier edition, print studio. I installed it yesterday on my old laptop with win XP. No problems. Wonderful program. Have you tried to install on a different pc? I could possibly post a (large) .iso-file somewhere.
My desktop crashed…had all my files back-up in free agent. I tried to open the files but can’t. I had windows draw 6 special edition.
Is there another program that will support and open the files. I still have the cd but it won’t install on my new laptop. Need the files ASAP. Help Anyone? Thank You
WINDRAW_6A.ISO 604736kB ISO-file (the software CD)
WinDraw_6B.iso 588138kB ISO-file (the contents CD)
thats an 1192MB download all in all
Where can i find this files ?:
WINDRAW_6A.ISO 604736kB ISO-file (the software CD)
WinDraw_6B.iso 588138kB ISO-file (the contents CD)
Hi peter i am interested in a copy of micrografx win drap pro as my cd is now too damage to read .
My desktop crashed…had all my files back-up in free agent. I tried to open the files but can’t. I had windows draw 6 special edition.
Thank You
Is there another program that will support and open the files. I still have the cd but it won’t install on my new laptop. Need the files ASAP. Help Anyone?
it’s available here:
http://softwaretopic.informer.com/micrografx-draw-6-for-vista/
don’t know how well it works, because I’m having problems with my programme.
bloody microsoft.
I had it running fine on Vista until august, and now it won’t load anymore – after 3 years of it loading with no problems.
Can I find which update has stopped it? no, of course not.
that would be too simple, wouldn’t it!
I agree – one is forced to move on – how frustrating when you are comfortable with one programme. I love my Micrografx Draw and cannot let go, never mind that Corel Draw Graphics sells for +- R7000, a ridiculous price if someone relys on a small income making business cards etc to have to change. Even if you have made a back up you are forced to use Corel Draw as far as I understand. I would like to fine something similar, cost effective and easy to use – any suggestions.
I have a copy of Micrografx Windows Draw 6 Premier Edition Print Studio – love it! However I just bought a new system Windows 7 doesn’t not take the program…can anyone out there please refer a program like Micrografx (.drw) that I can still use and also maintain my art creations? Please advise….Thank you!
I just purchased a new computer, and tried to load Windows Draw 6 Premier Edition Print Studio. Got a message that Windows Draw is not compatable with Windows 7 64bit. It would be nice to find a patch that would work around this, but I doubt if one exists. Luckily, I still have my old computer, and can hook it up and run Windows Draw from there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Roger and all others looking for Windows Draw help. I too purchased a new computer with Windows 7 and panic, panic…. I make greeting cards and I was locked into a new computer without my old favourite tools. I have just now managed to fix the problem. I actually put the disk in and typed in ‘setup’ and to cut a long story short so that you can download yours, it takes you to automatically download ‘OpenOffice.org Draw’. From there it was basic in a matter of steps. I also read this following article which may be of help too.
Use Compatibility Mode
Does your favorite XP application have problems working in Windows 7? You can often make them work anyway by using Compatibility mode to trick the application into thinking it’s running on a previous version of Windows. Tip: This really helps when you’re trying to get a video game working.
Let me know how you go.
Jan
Using Windows 7 or Vista Compatibility Mode
Hi Jan, thanks for replying to my message above. I was able to download “OpenOffice.org Draw, and found it very simular to Windows Draw 6. But it is not nearly as easy to use as Windows Draw 6. Plus. all of my projects that I made using Windows Draw 6 cannot be transferred to this program. I have many hours involved in Windows Draw, and I hate the thought of having to redo all of them using OpenOffice Draw.
I would like to try using Windows 7 Compatibility Mode, but am not familure with it, and don’t know where to find it in Windows 7. Can you give me any clues on how to find it and use it? I greatly appreciate your help.
Roger
Same here, I rely heavily on Draw- 1000′s of old files that I need to reference/ edit.
I have it running now on Windows 7 pro in two limited ways;
Installing virtual PC and XP mode (available only to pro version) lets you run it in an emulated OS….
BUT the color quality is limited to 16bit?! the file sharing bewteen each OS is a pain and it’s slow to load/close…
I tried transferring all installed files (inc. 4 MGX().dll files residing in windows and windows/system) to the new machine,
everything runs perfectly except the visual toolbar and effects are missing….
The annoying thing is, the program obviously can work fine, just some compatibility screw up at Microsoft prevents it’s use… if i can get the missing parts working I’ll post
I am glad to have found this site. I too am a great fan of Micrografx Draw 6 for all the reasons mentioned in the posts above. I hope to get a new computer soon with Windows 7 . . . mostly because I want to keep up with my students. If there is a way to continue to use the Application in Windows 7 I’d be very interested. Thanks for all the information shared.
Hi everyone. Have read all that has been said and am surprised, but very pleased, by how many people want to keep hold of this program. Like you, I have used nothing but Draw since 1998 and happily loaded it through ALL upgrades (95,98,XP and Vista) with no problems….until now! {Windows 7). As suggested, I have tried to run this in compatability mode for ALL the OS that I have used it on, but with no joy. BUT, some news is at hand. If you have Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate, then you can download ‘Virtual PC’ with ‘XP Mode’ – from the Microsoft Website – and Windows Draw WILL run perfectly using that.
Unfortunately, those of us who are running Windows 7 Home Premium, will have to decide whether the extra cost is worth it.Hope this helps some of you out because Windows Draw is easiest and, because of this, the most awesome graphics program I have used. LONG LIVE WINDOWS DRAW! 
run adobe reader 4 before running micrografx, and that allows it to run without crashing. I”m running good old version 6. I think its true, we get attached to all our old apps that we grow to love and can’t live without!!
Micrografx Draw 6. I installed it on Windows 7. It installs fine but when you try yo run/open the program, a windows comes up saying that a problem has kept the program from working and forces it closed! I love Micrografx Draw 6, and upset about this. It worked fin on all other windows (95,98,xp).