trying to install age of empires gold edition on windows 11 error message

alexhob123 · Sunday at 2:58 PM

I am trying to install Age Of Empires 1 Gold Edition on my Windows 11. However starting the installation gives me the error: “Age of Empires Gold can only run on Microsoft Windows 95 or later or on Microsoft Windows NT Version 4.0 with Service Pack 3 or later.”

I have tried changing the compatibility mode to all the OS on the list. Tried running as administrator. The weird thing is nobody else on the whole web has the same error message. Please help!

glasskuter · Sunday at 3:39 PM

Windows 11 cannot run 16-bit games natively because it is exclusively a 64-bit operating system and lacks the built-in 16-bit emulator (NTVDM) that older 32-bit systems had.

glasskuter · Sunday at 4:40 PM

You might could create a windowS 7 32 bit virtual machine in windows 11 and run it through the vm.
I just find it unusual as to why anyone is installing a 29 year old game. If you like the game get the modern version that is widely used by folks with modern OSes. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - paid app in MS Store.

Helmut · Sunday at 5:55 PM

In summary, this is for Windows 10, I have not tried Windows 11.

Age of Empires - Make an ISO file store that on your disk, Mount the ISO rather than inserting a disc before starting.
Compatibility Mode Windows XP SP2 is what my shortcuts say, however it may have been installed with a compatibility mode back to Windows 95 possibly with Windows 10. I see it's the same for Windows 11, but as I say not tried.

Rise of Rome Expansion - Use UPatch HD 1.1 (there is a version 1.2 but not tried).

Age of Empires - PCGamingWiki PCGW - bugs, fixes, crashes, mods, guides and improvements for every PC game

www.pcgamingwiki.com

UPatch HD

Home of UPatch HD - the unofficial patch for Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome. Play the game with HD resolution, HD interface graphics, hundreds of bug fixes, new gameplay options and many other enhancements.

upatch-hd.weebly.com

The original CD disc which I did have was a mixed modes Data and Red Book standard for audio tracks. I made the ISO file from that.

KevTech · Sunday at 6:12 PM

glasskuter said:
Windows 11 cannot run 16-bit games natively because it is exclusively a 64-bit operating system and lacks the built-in 16-bit emulator (NTVDM) that older 32-bit systems had.

This was a 32 bit game.
Might need to enable Directplay as well as use the patch.

Ghot · Sunday at 6:59 PM

Save 75% on Age of Empires: Definitive Edition on Steam

Age of Empires, the pivotal real-time strategy game that launched a 20-year legacy returns with modernized gameplay, all-new 4K visuals, 8-person multiplayer battles and a host of other new features. Welcome back to history.

store.steampowered.com

Helmut · Sunday at 7:24 PM

KevTech said:
Might need to enable Directplay as well as use the patch.

Indeed it does, just did a test on Windows 10, fortunately the option is still in Windows 11

Control Panel > Programs & Features > Turn Windows features On/Off > Legacy Components > DirectPlay tick

spapakons · 2026-06-29T12:29:47-0400

That's why I always enable DirectPlay and install DirectX 9.0c on Windows 10/11 so I can play any old game. Of course I always run Setup as Administrator and the game shortcut afterwards.

alexhob123 · 2026-06-29T16:24:23-0400

i have a 16-Bit InstallShield Support package installed on my computer but I am on holiday at the moment back tomorrow though i just wanted to see if this game would work on windows 11 that's all

spapakons · 2026-06-29T17:54:37-0400

To run 16-bit installers or applications or games on Windows 11 (64-bit) you need a third-party NTVDM replacement, such as WinVDM:

GitHub - otya128/winevdm: 16-bit Windows (Windows 1.x, 2.x, 3.0, 3.1, etc.) on 64-bit Windows

16-bit Windows (Windows 1.x, 2.x, 3.0, 3.1, etc.) on 64-bit Windows - otya128/winevdm

github.com

I use it to play Microsoft Games for Windows 3.x, such as Taipei, Tetris, Solus etc

If you also want to see the original icons you can enable the respective option in WindHawk:

Windhawk

The customization marketplace for Windows and programs. Customize your programs with available code snippets or create your own customizations.

windhawk.net

Ghot · 2026-06-29T18:46:54-0400

alexhob123 said:
i have a 16-Bit InstallShield Support package installed on my computer but I am on holiday at the moment back tomorrow though i just wanted to see if this game would work on windows 11 that's all

Well the STEAM version will and it's only $5

Helmut · 2026-06-29T20:03:38-0400

In 2026 I would just buy the Age of Empires: Definitive Edition (equates to AOE Gold Ed) from Steam currently for £3.74 in UK.
My original disc install dates from before that Edition was available.

spapakons · 2026-06-30T00:31:28-0400

If you can make the original disc install on Windows 11, why pay for the Steam version? What's the fun in that? You will enjoy the game more if you succeed installing the original version. See it like a challenge.

Helmut · 2026-06-30T08:32:38-0400

spapakons said:
If you can make the original disc install on Windows 11, why pay for the Steam version? What's the fun in that? You will enjoy the game more if you succeed installing the original version. See it like a challenge.

1. £3.74 is a very minimal cost for convenience of having the job done for you.
2. Optical Discs can deteriorate, I have a number of examples, due to: a) radial cracks from the centre hole, b) Labelling ink diffusing through and destroying even the reflective layer in manufactured CD ROM discs.
3. I'm too old for such "challenges" taking up my time.

alexhob123 · 2026-06-30T10:26:58-0400

i do have the definitive edition just wanted to play old school that's all

OAT · 2026-06-30T11:38:41-0400

alexhob123 said:
i do have the definitive edition just wanted to play old school that's all

Do you want AoE III? I still play it once in a while.
I adapted the steam version to play without Steam installed.
I can post it on my OneDrive as a zip, make sure to view the README.txt for manual setup.

spapakons · 2026-06-30T11:44:07-0400

I think all Steam does is use a custom installer that is compatible with modern Windows. If we manage to make the original installer compatible, and we already own the game, then why buy it again through Steam? Even if this is as little as $5. Another workaround is to install the game in a virtual machine running Windows XP. I have done it for old games like Rayman 2 and I have also installed a Glide to DirectX wrapper so I can play it in Glide mode with better graphics than DirectX. For the newer generations, Glide was a proprietary 3D API for 3D graphics accelerator cards by 3Dfx, such as 3Dfx Voodoo. At the time DirectX wasn't that good and Glide had better looking graphics.

Glide (API) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

OAT · 2026-06-30T11:52:42-0400

spapakons said:
I think all Steam does is use a custom installer that is compatible with modern Windows. If we manage to make the original installer compatible, and we already own the game, then why buy it again through Steam? Even if this is as little as $5

Yes, you are right, but their directory structure is a pain as they set up the games in their own app folder and the executables in the bin folder.
In order to run the game without Steam (which is a big waste of space BTW) I modified the reg files accordingly after Steam uninstallation.
I have since migrated the game on 4 subsequent systems while keeping game progress.

I have done the same thing with WallpaperEngine. (that you can only get from Steam)

trying to install age of empires gold edition on windows 11 error message

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