I clicked Run as administrator (right click on .exe file, then scroll down to "Run as admin")and it worked for two seconds before shutting down. It then ran a troubleshooter which switched on compatibility with windows 8 and now it works.
to do it, right click .exe file, scroll all the way down and click "properties" then select "Compatibility" tab and check box under "Compatibility Mode" that says "Run this program . . ." and select "Windows 8" from drop down.