Service Depot: Installing Command & Conquer: Generals

This guide will show you how to install Command & Conquer: Generals on modern operating systems, with different sections covering different releases of the game.


Installation – retail CD version

  1. Make sure that the DirectX 9.0c end-user runtime libraries are installed by these guidelines before proceeding.
  2. Insert the Generals disc 1 to the CD/DVD drive.
  3. Exit the autorun and run setup.exe from the disc as administrator. (not applicable to Windows XP)
  4. Install the game. Change to disc 2 as necessary.
  5. Patch the game to version 1.08, the latest official patch. (mirrors)
  6. Apply GenPatcher. What this does is fix most currently known issues, including the DirectX 8.1 warning, restoring the missing registry entries, removing some loose files that may cause desyncs and more. It also includes GenTool.
  7. Browse to the game’s directory and set generals.exe to always run as administrator and in compatibility mode for Windows XP Service Pack 3. (not applicable to Windows XP)
  8. Run the game.

Installation – The First Decade version

Although the installer of The First Decade enables you to select the games you wish to install, this guide assumes that you intend to install C&C: Generals only. For a more complete solution, check out the guide titled Fully Updating The First Decade.
  1. Make sure that the DirectX 9.0c end-user runtime libraries are installed by these guidelines before proceeding.
  2. Insert the The First Decade disc to the DVD drive.
  3. Exit the autorun and run setup.exe from the disc as administrator. (not applicable to Windows XP)
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen. Choose a custom installation and select C&C: Generals to install.
  5. Apply the TFD unofficial patch 1.03 rev4.
  6. Apply GenPatcher. What this does is fix most currently known issues, including the DirectX 8.1 warning, restoring the missing registry entries, removing some loose files that may cause desyncs and more. It also includes GenTool.
  7. Browse to the game’s directory and set generals.exe to always run as administrator and in compatibility mode for Windows XP Service Pack 3. (not applicable to Windows XP)
  8. Run the game.

Installation – Steam and EA App versions

  1. Make sure that the DirectX 9.0c end-user runtime libraries are installed by these guidelines before proceeding.
  2. Download and install the game from the Steam or EA App client.
  3. Patch C&C: Generals/Zero Hour with GenPatcher (what this does is fix most currently known issues, including the DirectX 8.1 warning, restoring the missing registry entries, removing some loose files that may cause desyncs and more).
  4. Apply GenPatcher. What this does is fix most currently known issues, including the DirectX 8.1 warning, restoring the missing registry entries, removing some loose files that may cause desyncs and more. It also includes GenTool.
  5. Browse to the game’s directory and set generals.exe to always run as administrator and in compatibility mode for Windows XP Service Pack 3.
  6. Run the game.

Multiplayer

For online multiplayer, please refer to the C&C:Online service.


Notes

C&C: Generals and Zero Hour require limiting the framerate to 30 FPS (Frames Per Second) to avoid game speed issues – this is done by calling the GenTool menu by hitting the Insert key while in the games’ main menus. GenTool also enables a wider range of resolutions in the games’ option menus.

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