This guide will show you how to install Command & Conquer: Generals: Zero Hour on modern operating systems, with different sections covering different releases of the game.
This is an expansion pack for Command & Conquer: Generals, so make sure you install the base game before proceeding. The exception is the Steam version, which is configured not to require the base game.
Installation – retail CD version
- Make sure that the retail CD version of Command & Conquer: Generals (the base game) is installed by these guidelines before proceeding.
- Insert the Zero Hour disc 1 to the CD/DVD drive.
- Exit the autorun and run setup.exe from the disc as administrator. (not applicable to Windows XP)
- Install the game. Change to disc 2 as necessary.
- Patch the game to version 1.04, the latest official patch. (mirrors)
- 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.
- 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)
- Run the game.
Installation – retail 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: Zero Hour only. For a more complete solution, check out the guide titled Fully Updating The First Decade.
- Make sure that The First Decade version of Command & Conquer: Generals (the base game) is installed by these guidelines before proceeding.
- Insert the The First Decade disc to the DVD drive.
- Exit the autorun and run setup.exe from the disc as administrator. (not applicable to Windows XP)
- Follow the instructions on the screen. Choose a custom installation and select C&C: Generals: Zero Hour to install. Do not deselect the base game.
- Apply the TFD unofficial patch 1.03 rev4.
- 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.
- 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)
- Run the game.
Installation – Steam version
- Download and install the game from within the Steam client.
- 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.
- 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.
- Run the game.
Installation – EA App version
- Make sure that the EA App version of Command & Conquer: Generals (the base game) is installed by these guidelines before proceeding. Zero Hour was installed along with it, so the following steps refer to the expansion only.
- 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.
- 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.
Addendum – manually fixing registry files
Use this method if you’re an advanced user and do not want to use GenPatcher.
- Open the Registry Editor (regedit) in Windows.
- Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Electronic Arts\EA Games\Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour. If you are not using a 64-bit system, just remove “WOW6432Node” from this path.
- Enter the following values to the folder (not the ergc subfolder!):
String InstallPath – set it to your Zero Hour directory
String Language – set it to your game language in lower-case (TFD was only released in English and German)
Hex DWORD MapPackVersion – set it to 10000
String Proxy – leave it blank
Hex DWORD Version – set it to 10004 - Close the Registry Editor.