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Re: How can I play Sim City 3000 in Windows 10?

@Pandorable,

For issues with Simcity 3000, please try the following:

  1. A disc versions will not work on newer computers. Edit: Please see the this post for more info.
  2. Turn off Origin in-game.
  3. Try running in compatibility mode: right click the Simcity 4 shortcut > Properties > Compatibility. Choose a compatibility mode, click apply. Try different compatibility modes to see if that resolves the issue
  4. Right-click Origin and select Run as administrator

Lastly, I cannot guarantee we can get the game working on newer versions of Windows as they don't meet the requirements of the game.

I hope this helps,

--Tom

14 Replies

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    10 years ago

    It states to contact a Game Advisor for a digital rendering of an older disc game (for newer platforms such as Windows 10) but nothing older than Sim City 4 is listed in 'first, choose a game'. I have the disc for 'Sim City 3000 Unlimited' but am having trouble with it now.

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    10 years ago

    I followed the steps and i talked to a person. I then proceeded to give the person my email and name. Now what?

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Hello all,

    If you are on Windows 10 and have a disc version of the game, then sadly you will not be able to install the game. If you are about to purchase the game, I would recommend checking out GoG.com.

    If you have any further questions, please reach out to an Advisor.

    Thanks!

  • Why are you telling me to buy this again? I already bought the license to play this game so why can I not play it?  I definitely don't have the money to spend on buying it again

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    9 years ago

    Your game is almost seventeen years old.  Only Window98 and Windows2000 were around back then, and Maxis is out of business now.  It will never be patched again, and Windows 10 cannot emulate an OS any older than Vista with any useful accuracy. 

    You might look into getting "Virtual PC" from Microsoft, and then find a copy of Windows2000 to run within that virtual space (finding an unused copy of Windows98 would be rather difficult now). 

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

  • FFppppff's avatar
    FFppppff
    9 years ago

    First of all, I know this thread is old.. But I love this game, payed for it, and refused to let it just stand there on my desk all dusty. The only way I got the cd version of this game working flawlessly on windows 10 was by applying a no-cd exe, therefore removing the DRM, since all the trouble in starting up the game is due to that.

    I hope all people who bought this game like I did, can enjoy it after all these years!

    Cheers

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    9 years ago

    I know this was a few months ago but can you remember how you did that? And if so could you link me to something that explains it/ debrief me cos I'm not great with tech but I don't want the game to go to waste. Thanks!

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    8 years ago

    where did you get the no/cd exe?

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    8 years ago

    Please, could you help me find that no-cd exe?? I'm also very upset by not being able to play it anymore..

    Thank you so much!

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    7 years ago
    I think it's all the fault of Microsoft for encouraging us all to upgrade to Windows 10, saying that all of our apps would work, when clearly they do not. I LOVE Sim City 3000 and never would have upgraded to Windows 10 if I had known that it wouldn't work anymore. I would have much rather bought a new laptop with Windows 10 and keep my old laptop with Windows 7 JUST TO PLAY Sim City 3000. I do not and will not ever again trust Microsoft.
  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    7 years ago
    Sim City 3000 will actually work on Windows 7 with a patch. I had a friend (more knowledgeable about these things than me) download and install the patch for me. It worked for years... until I upgraded to Windows 10, which was a huge mistake.

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