Is there a trick to getting these to run on windows 10? I've tried running as an administrator and starting in compatibility mode, but they just start up and then immediately close. Is there a better way to run them so they will actually run in windows 10?

Have you tried using Freespace Open?
You can use it also to play them "vanilla" if you wish, just deselect the "mediaVPS" and all the various fanmade expansions when using the installer, though I'd strongly advise you play the remake of the Silent Threat expansion, Silent Threat: Reborn.

Or use Knossos for all mods and stuff

Seconded, much more intuitive than the old installer and it allows to donwload one mod at a time instead of doing the install wizard all over again every time also optimizinf mod sizes by allowing shared components between mods.
I've discovered it recently and it allowed me to reduce my FSopen folder size considerably.