Could not initialize graphics system. Make sure that your video card and driver are compatible with DirectDraw” while playing Age of Empires II

I've solved it. Went to Device Manager and disabled my graphic card, then restarted Windows. Then, played perfectly well. When I finish playing, I go back to device manager and enable my graphic card.

The problem is due to newer graphic cards being unable to display in 640x480 resolution.

PS: Don't trust this Microsoft "Experts"... They ask things like "Are you sure you meet the minimum requirements?" OF COURSE YOU IDIOT, I'M RUNNING A 1999 GAME ON A 2009 COMPUTER!!! They bring the worst out of me

Solution for AOE Rise of Rome (windows 10)

1.right click on the icon or app (.exe file)

2.Click properties

3.Click on tab Compatibility

4.Compatibility mode and  check the box  of Run this program in  compatibility  mode for:  Windows 7

5.Also you sholud uncheck all box under :

like Run in 640x480 (must be unchecked)

disable display scaling (must be unchecked)

It works for me!

this horrible solution but it works.   Anyone have another workaround?

Solution for AOE Rise of Rome (windows 10)

1.right click on the icon or app (.exe file)

2.Click properties

3.Click on tab Compatibility

4.Compatibility mode and  check the box  of Run this program in  compatibility  mode for:  Windows 7

5.Also you sholud uncheck all box under :

like Run in 640x480 (must be unchecked)

disable display scaling (must be unchecked)

It works for me!

Very helpful, and after some tinkering also got the game to work by checking the following:

x Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 3)

Settings

x Reduced color mode 8-bit (256) color

x Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution

x Run this program as an administrator

I too have this problem, been searching up and down the internet to find out how to resolve. NO luck!! I tried everything that Mouneshwar suggested, but that error keep coming up. What else we can do?