How do you run older PC games on modern PCs?

[BACKER #-4112]

I have a lot of old games on CDs/DVDs sitting around except a lot of them won't play on Win10.
Not talking about DOSbox, I have that sussed out. I am talking about from Win95 to about WinXP era.
I have heard about installing/running in compatibality mode but so far I had no success with that.

I am looking to emulate older Windows OS on Win10.

Does anyone know of a link to a site that does a good job of explaining how to resurrect older games to run
on todays machines?

Perhaps there are CMDRs out there that do this with ease, who could share their knowledge on how to go about it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[shadragon]

Not sure about Win10 (I won't 'ave it in the 'ouse), but you could download a free WinXP virtual machine from MS direct for Win 7. One sec...

Windows Virtual PC
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3702

WinXP Mode
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8002

Alternatives would be Oracles VirtualBox to run a WinXP OS.
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/virtualbox/downloads/index.html

I use VMWare Workstation Pro for my VM's, but this costs a few bucks for all features.
https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/info/slug/desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation_pro/12_0


Edit: Seems you can run XP programs in Win10 with compatibility mode.
https://www.howtogeek.com/228689/how-to-make-old-programs-work-on-windows-10/

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/does-windows-xp-software-work-windows-10

 

[1500]

rebuy them for nothing on a GoG sale.

 

[BACKER #-4112]

Not sure about Win10 (I won't 'ave it in the 'ouse), but you could download a free WinXP virtual machine from MS direct for Win 7. One sec... <snip>

Thanks for that, your efforts of compiling helpful links are much appreciated.
The least I can do is a +1.

rebuy them for nothing on a GoG sale.

I am aware of Good Old Games, unfortunately some of them fail to install/run.
Although they might run in compatibility/sandbox mode once I check out the links posted above.

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

Name the games, and I'll see if I've figured them out already.

I've had many games from the 95' era running quite well. Some just don't though.

Carmageddon 1&2, X Beyond the Frontier, Battlezone 1&2, I-War 1&2, etc

Most recent is MechWarrior 3. Oddly enough it works perfectly on my laptop, but not at all on my PC. Lol

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead

 

[BACKER #-4112]

Name the games, and I'll see if I've figured them out already.

<snip>

I am more interested in getting my Westwood Studios titles up and running again, probably up to Tiberian Sun.
Once EA acquired Westwood, they managed to ruin the franchise.

Even though I bought the "Decade of C&C" that worked well on XP, it gives me grief on Win10.

Saying that, I do have a lot of other old titles that I still wish I could play, for the sake of trip down memory lane.

Perhaps once I get back to civilisation (get home from working away) in a week, I'll post a photo or few of the games
I have sitting around.

Aye, I-War. Much respect for mentioning that one. I still have a CD floating around somewhere.

 

[MickyG1982]

I am more interested in getting my Westwood Studios titles up and running again, probably up to Tiberian Sun.
Once EA acquired Westwood, they managed to ruin the franchise.

Even though I bought the "Decade of C&C" that worked well on XP, it gives me grief on Win10.

Saying that, I do have a lot of other old titles that I still wish I could play, for the sake of trip down memory lane.

Perhaps once I get back to civilisation (get home from working away) in a week, I'll post a photo or few of the games
I have sitting around.

Aye, I-War. Much respect for mentioning that one. I still have a CD floating around somewhere.

For C&C: https://cncnet.org/

For DOS Games: https://www.dosbox.com/ - Note you can also install & run older versions of windows within DOSBOX too - there is a version for Android which made things interesting, Windows 95/98/ME XP on a phone is kinda possible...

For Amiga: http://www.winuae.net/ (free but you need to aquire your own ROMS)

Or

https://www.amigaforever.com/emulator/ Paid (30 Euro's) for but it comes with all the ROMS you need