Options for communicating with M4 family ECU's

Your options in this situation are as follows. Firstly, you could consider downgrading the version of Windows you are currently running to Windows 7 (32-bit) or an even earlier version. However, it is important to be aware that this approach has significant drawbacks. Many modern hardware components do not have drivers compatible with older versions of Windows. As a result, you might find that certain components either stop working entirely or only function with limited capabilities. This could affect the overall performance and usability of your system. Secondly, you might try using an emulator such as DOSBox to run the necessary programs. If you have access to the expanded installation files, setting up the programs within DOSBox can be relatively straightforward. 

Nevertheless, a major challenge arises when attempting to establish communication between DOSBox running on the current Windows installation and the ECU (Engine Control Unit). This communication can be quite complex to configure and may not always work reliably. Thirdly, a practical and widely adopted solution is to source an older laptop that was originally designed to operate with Windows 7 or an earlier version. Using such a device as your dedicated tuning laptop can often circumvent the compatibility issues encountered with newer systems. This option tends to be the most common and effective choice among users facing similar challenges.