How to install and play old computer games on Windows 10

Hello Rachel,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

I understand your requirement in this regard.

Which games are you referring to?

What do you mean by "none of the compatibility tab options work" from your description?

Did you tried installing them in compatibility mode?

Are you trying to convey the same?

It depends on the Game which you're trying to install and play on Windows 10. Most programs and games designed for earlier versions of Windows will still works in the latest version of Windows depends on that particular application or game. Some might run poorly or not at all. You can try installing the games in compatibility mode, if you haven't tried before.

Compatibility mode runs the program using settings from a previous version of Windows. Follow the below mentioned steps to install the game in Compatibility mode.

* Right-click on the Game setup file (I.e. .exe file) and click on ‘Properties’.

* Go to ‘Compatibility’ tab and click **Run compatibility troubleshooter,**then select Try recommended settingand click Next again Next. Now it will ask you to Test the program, click on it and continue with installation. Once this is done, check if everything works fine. If it does, go back to Test the programwindow and click Next, then save the setup file with that settings. Reboot your PC and see it resolve the issue.

Keep us posted if you require further assistance.

I have the same issues. I have tons of old PC games own DVD Rom that simply will not install because they are incompatible. I tried the compatibility mode with no success. Is there a way I can set up a partition to run old games?

I follow those steps, but when I get to and click Test the program, it does nothing.  I tried installing after I clicked test the program, and it still says it is incompatible.  I tried troubleshooting by saying what my problem was and when it took me back to test the program, still nothing happened when I click it.  I tried clicking past test the program to save the settings anyway under the Windows XP service pack, but it still says it can't run on my PC.

Possible solution:

I was able to get games to install by opening the CD folder (right click and choose Open), find the Setup.exe files (look through the folders for these), right click them and choose Troubleshoot compatibility.

This is after the wizard did not work on the Launcher.exe for the entire CD.

I hope this helps someone.

please oh please can Microsoft just upgrade the games like dune 2000, age of empires, age of methology  on a disc to work with windows 10. pc games are not being bought cause the games don't work unless you have windows 95/98 to xp. everything is out of date except the windows. please fix the problem I don't like to download of internet cause of viruses much easier with cd