Windows 7 compatibility

[Goti Sán [ESP]]

The PC I want to play it on uses Windows 7, I'd like to play it in its "normal" non-DOS mode, to get achievements and play multiplayer, and add mods from there.
The problem is that when I try to start the game (not in DOS mode) the game doesn't open.
I looked for solutions on the internet, but I couldn't find them, it seems that to play Doom 1+2 I'll have to ask for a refund for the game and use something like GZDoom.

Can anyone help me?

EDIT: I know I should use Windows 11 or 10, but it's my parents' PC and I don't feel like it.
Also... where's the "works on anything" reputation of doom? Steam seems to be throwing it down the drain?

[Space Detective]

Your parents would be well advised to upgrade, though I'm not exactly going to press the subject.

Anyway, yeah, this remaster is not compatible with Win7. I don't think that needs to be an expectation however; yes I know "DOOM runs on anything", but this engine is pretty divorced from the original engine as released in '93. Its not as if you expect to be able to run GZDoom in DOS or anything like that.

EDIT: Also, an aside to nitpick. "Steam seems to be throwing it down the drain"? You say that like Valve personally stepped in and were like "hey could you update this game so it doesn't run on Win7? 'kay thanks". It's a choice of the developers id Software and Nightdive Studios and publishers Bethesda and Microsoft, none of which run the Steam storefront.

[Pvt. Parts]

“Doom runs on everything” only because the mod community has made an effort to port the Doom engine to every system they could think of. This port was designed for Windows 10/11, and will not run on 7. If upgrading your parents computer or running on a different system is not possible, then I suggest using a different source port that will run on Windows 7, but you might have to do some research to figure out what works on a 15 year old operating system.

[Space Detective]

Originally posted by Pvt. Parts:

I suggest using a different source port that will run on Windows 7, but you might have to do some research to figure out what works on a 15 year old operating system.

Honestly that probably wouldn't be that hard, though it's been a while since I was seriously deep into source ports.
I think at worst, you might have to dig up an older release of one of the popular source ports.

[Goti Sán [ESP]]

Originally posted by Space Detective:

Your parents would be well advised to upgrade, though I'm not exactly going to press the subject.

Anyway, yeah, this remaster is not compatible with Win7. I don't think that needs to be an expectation however; yes I know "DOOM runs on anything", but this engine is pretty divorced from the original engine as released in '93. Its not as if you expect to be able to run GZDoom in DOS or anything like that.

EDIT: Also, an aside to nitpick. "Steam seems to be throwing it down the drain"? You say that like Valve personally stepped in and were like "hey could you update this game so it doesn't run on Win7? 'kay thanks". It's a choice of the developers id Software and Nightdive Studios and publishers Bethesda and Microsoft, none of which run the Steam storefront.

Yes, I take it back, it's not Steam's fault
Thanks for your reply

[Goti Sán [ESP]]

Originally posted by Space Detective:

Originally posted by Pvt. Parts:

I suggest using a different source port that will run on Windows 7, but you might have to do some research to figure out what works on a 15 year old operating system.

Honestly that probably wouldn't be that hard, though it's been a while since I was seriously deep into source ports.
I think at worst, you might have to dig up an older release of one of the popular source ports.

I understand, that clarifies it for me, thanks

[benakenobi]

the suggestions of trying other engines won't give steam achievements, so if the computer at hand has enough disk space, memory and CPU i'd try a virtual machine (vmware or virtual box an the likes) where you install win10, steam and hopefully it won't be too laggy)

other option would be selecting beta "legacy" in game properties, that'll give you previous build (Unity port) which works on win7 and has multiplayer (between same Unity clients though)

[Goti Sán [ESP]]

Originally posted by benakenobi:

the suggestions of trying other engines won't give steam achievements, so if the computer at hand has enough disk space, memory and CPU i'd try a virtual machine (vmware or virtual box an the likes) where you install win10, steam and hopefully it won't be too laggy)

other option would be selecting beta "legacy" in game properties, that'll give you previous build (Unity port) which works on win7 and has multiplayer (between same Unity clients though)

Very good solution, thanks!

[Nebgama]

Don't run a vm lol. i doubt you are in the ballpark to considered that if you are still running windows 7 as it probably means you have outdated and potentially slow hardware. Virtulization is last resort and to play a game like doom its quite a bit of overhead for nothing.

Just run Gdoom or something. You can even set steam to launch it.

[benakenobi]

Originally posted by Nebgama:

Don't run a vm lol...

crazy, i know, but might be sufficient just to register achievements with cheats and then go back to using a native port