How to Play Old PC Games on Modern Windows Systems

Many people who want to play old PC games on Windows are nostalgic, too. People still cherish many classic PC games, from Age of Empires II to Doom 95. Getting these games to run on today’s Windows computers may not be simple. While Windows 10 and 11 are advanced and elegant, most games from old versions, such as Windows 95, 98, XP, or DOS, cannot work with them.

In this guide, we help you run past games on Windows, enjoy using compatibility mode for games, look for excellent emulators, and consider useful solutions. You can check the newest information and statistics to select the most suitable classic game for yourself.

Why Old Games Don’t Work on New Windows?

Hardware and software for old games were different from today’s. Among the main problems are:

• Because of the 64-bit update, games downloaded in the 90s are now incompatible with Windows 10/11.
• Some secure DRM features like SafeDisc and SecuROM will not work on recent versions of Windows.
• Absence of historic parts: DirectX 9, QuickTime, and similar old sound drivers.
• Old programs do not work on modern screens, powerful processors, or advanced GPUs.
• Nearly 6 out of 10 retro gamers reported having trouble launching their favorite games from the past without externally available tools.

1. First, use Compatibility Mode.

Turn on Compatibility Mode for games in Windows first, as it may resolve a lot of problems you might have with your game.

Steps:

• Long-press the Windows button while the game’s .exe file is highlighted to right-click it.
• Go to Select Properties and click on the Compatibility tab.
• Click on the option “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”
• Download an outdated edition of Windows (such as XP or 98).
• In other cases, try using “Run as administrator” or switching to “Reduced color mode.”

This process is effective for oldies from the early 2000s, like Command & Conquer: Generals and Max Payne.

Most people who have used Compatibility Mode on Tom’s Hardware and Reddit forums report that 35-45% of old games work smoothly by themselves.

2. Using PC Emulators and Virtual Machines

Should your compatibility mode fail and the game isn’t DOS-based, you can use emulators for running older games or make a VM (virtual machine).

Best Options:

• You should use VirtualBox or VMware to set up your Windows system as a virtual machine.
• With PCem, you get an environment that lets the Windows 95/98 games run as designed.
• Monkey Island and Broken Sword can be played through ScummVM.

Tip: You should have the old Windows XP or 98 ISO along with their product keys and you can find them online if you own them.

Roughly three-quarters or 78% of Windows legacy games are reported to launch successfully in virtual machines with the right configurations.

3. Try using fans’ patches and wrappers

In some cases, a strong group of players makes modifications to ensure that old games run smoothly on modern PCs.

Examples:

• In Deus Ex, you should use the Kentie’s Launcher.
• To play Diablo II, you can use D2SE Mod Manager or Project Diablo 2.
• Use TFix when playing Thief Gold.

Most of the time, these fan tools repair:

• Crashes
• The broken resolution technique
• Errors with the sound card
• Save/load bugs

4. Download games from the newest platforms

Replacing old Windows games with the updated ones is easy by using platforms such as:

GOG.com (Good Old Games) releases classic games that have been remade to work on Windows 10/11 computers.

• The games Half-Life, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and Age of Empires have been revised to run on newer consoles.
• Sometimes, the Epic Games Store offers free classic games to its users.
• As of now, GOG is offering 1,500 retro titles and most of them have been inspected on Windows 10 and 11.
• Purchasing from these websites saves your time and requires fewer repairs on your end.

5. Go to the Graphics and Sound Settings page

There are games created long ago that open but have odd behaviors.

• Flickering screens
• No sound
• Crashed cutscenes

Solutions:

• With DxWnd, you can make the game play in windowed mode or replace DirectDraw with a virtual version.
• You can use old versions of DirectX 9 and OpenAL.
• Use d3d9.dll wrappers or try dgVoodoo2 if you want to use DirectX 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.
• You can limit the CPU cores with Task Manager to avoid causing high speeds.
• You may experience sound problems. Use the Virtual SoundBlaster drivers or pick a software program that emulates MIDI.

6. Will Windows 11 Be Discontinued?

It may occur to you: Is playing older PC games on Windows 11 any more difficult than using them in Windows 10? Generally, the computer can use compatibility mode, virtualization, and third-party add-ons. Still, it pays more attention to supporting drivers and older programs that are not signed. 

Top 10 Classic Games & How They Work Today

Final Tips for Smooth Gaming

• You should always open the program as an administrator.
• Go into compatibility and disable the full-screen function for the game.
• You can find help on VOGONS or Reddit’s /r/patientgamers.
• Frequently save backups when you use a modded version of the game.

Conclusion

If you play with a newer PC, you can still play old PC games on Windows. Compatibility mode for games, DOSBox, fan patches, and emulators for old games are some of the choices available for running old PC games on Windows 10 or 11.

By using VirtualBox, ScummVM and GOG, you can actually rediscover old games from 30 years ago. Research your game, as often, some answers are just a few clicks away.

Therefore, if you want, you can restore old games on Windows and play them again to remember the past. There are plenty of classic Greek works to explore.