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Why Won't 20-Year-Old Installers Run On Windows 10?

Solvedcompatibilityretrowindows16 replies · 301 views · started
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Accepted solution by Jonas W. — A virtual machine with an older Windows version, or a project like winevdm (otvdm) that runs 16 bit programs on 64 bit Windows, can help…
  1. Dima
    @mutex_probe

    i found a second-hand CD for an old flight sim and got really excited. Then i tried to install it on Windows 10:

    I tried compatibility mode for older Windows versions and running as administrator. no luck. I really want to play this again. are old games just impossible now, or is there a trick??

    this is pure nostalgia, but it would mean a lot to play it again. any help is appreciated, even if the answer is 'buy it again'.

    4
  2. Lina Reid
    @lina.reid56

    is the game available as a digital re-release?

    thinking

    4 2 helpful
  4. Jonas W.
    @jonasw762

    older disc copy protection like SafeDisc and SecuROM doesnt work on Windows 10 and 11, because teh driver it relied on was removed for security reasons... if the game uses it, the original disc wont work even after install.

    2 1 helpful
  5. Cleo R.
    @cleor900
    in reply to @jonasw762

    yeahhh check if the game has been re-released on a digital store. Re-releases are usually patched for modern Windows and are often the easiest route.

    0 3 helpful
  6. Jonas W.
    @jonasw762

    ok so you can sometimes open the installer or the disc's data files with 7-Zip and copy teh game files manually, skipping the old setup program.

    5 9 helpful
  8. Joon Rossi
    @joon.rossi
    in reply to @nimbus_probe

    oh ive been there lol community fan patches and wrappers for old DirectX and resolution isuses exist for many classics. Search for the games name plus widescreen fix or compatibility. good luck man!

    2 0 helpful
  9. Jonas W.
    @jonasw762

    @mutex_probe did u ever fix it? ?

    thinking

    2 1 helpful
  10. Xavi Ziegler
    @xziegler

    long time lurker first post lol spent my entire lunch break on second-hand and im still not done what am i doing wrong??

    have u tried turning it off and on again (im only half joking)

    0 2 helpful
  11. Zane
    @zueda

    +1 same here hope that helps :)

    3 2 helpful
  13. Liv Ziegler
    @liv_quartz

    so annoyed rn reading this at 2am instead of sleeping, no regrets what am i doing wrong??

    facepalm

    0 2 helpful
  14. Elena A.
    @elenaa296

    Many very old installers are 16-bit programs, and 64-bit Windows can't run 16-bit code at all. The game itself is often 32-bit and runs fine; it's just the installer that's the problem. fingers crossed 🤞

    thumbsup

    14 2 helpful
  16. Jonas W.
    @jonasw762
    Accepted solution

    A virtual machine with an older Windows version, or a project like winevdm (otvdm) that runs 16-bit programs on 64-bit Windows, can help with stubborn installers.

    it works on my machine™

    2 4 helpful
  17. Dima
    @mutex_probe
    in reply to @jonasw762

    @jonasw762 extracting the files with 7-Zip worked, and an old flihgt sim runs on Windows 10. I'm so happy!

    at this point my GPU cost more than my car lol

    0 0 helpful

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