This guide explains how to install and run the original PC DVD-ROM version of Age of Empires Collector’s Edition on a modern Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer.
This guide should also work on individual games in this collection.
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The game was originally designed for older versions of Windows, so a few extra steps are required on modern systems.
You will need:
The original Age of Empires Collector’s Edition DVD-ROM.
A DVD drive, either internal or USB external.
Your original CD key if prompted during installation.
Administrator access on the PC.
Step 1. Insert the DVD-ROM
Insert the Age of Empires Collector’s Edition DVD into your PC’s DVD drive.
Wait a few moments.
If the setup menu appears automatically, continue to Step 2.
If nothing appears:
Open “This PC”.
Double click the DVD drive.
Double click “Setup.exe”.
If Windows displays a security warning, click “Yes”.
Step 2. Install the game
Follow the installation process normally.
Choose the default installation location unless you specifically want the game installed elsewhere.
Allow the installation to finish completely.
Do not try to launch the game yet.
Step 3. Enable DirectPlay
The original DVD-ROM release requires an older Microsoft component called DirectPlay. Windows 10 and Windows 11 disable this by default.
To enable it:
Open the Start Menu.
Type: Turn Windows features on or off
Open the matching result.
Find: Legacy Components
Click the plus symbol beside it.
Tick: DirectPlay
Click “OK”.
Windows will install the required files automatically.
Once complete, restart the PC if prompted.
Step 4. Set compatibility settings
After installation, open: This PC
Then go to:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\
Open the Age of Empires folder.
Find the main game application file. This is usually: EMPIRES.EXE
Right click the file and select: Properties
Open the: Compatibility tab.
Tick: Run this program in compatibility mode for:
From the list, select:
Windows XP (Service Pack 3)
Also tick: Run this program as an administrator
Click: Apply
Then click: OK
Step 5. Launch the game from the DVD-ROM version
Insert the DVD-ROM if it is not already in the drive.
Double click the game shortcut or the game executable file.
The game should now launch correctly.
Some systems may take a little longer during the first launch.
Step 6. If the game will not launch
If the game does not open correctly, try the following:
Restart the computer.
Make sure the DVD is still inserted.
Try Windows 98 compatibility mode instead of Windows XP.
Tick: Disable fullscreen optimisations inside the Compatibility tab.
Run the game directly from the installation folder instead of using the desktop shortcut.
Step 7. Black screen or display issues
Some modern graphics cards can cause display problems with older DVD-ROM games.
If this happens:
Press Alt + Enter after the game opens.
Lower your desktop resolution temporarily before launching the game.
Make sure Windows is fully updated.
Update your graphics drivers.
Important note about SafeDisc protection
Some very old PC DVD-ROM games used copy protection systems such as SafeDisc, which modern versions of Windows no longer support for security reasons.
Age of Empires Collector’s Edition generally still works after installation because the game itself does not rely on the blocked SafeDisc driver in the same way some later PC games did, but behaviour can vary depending on the exact disc release and Windows version.
If the disc installs correctly but refuses to launch at all, the issue is usually related to compatibility settings or DirectPlay not being enabled properly.
