A hard way to run it on Windows 10 Professional x64 properly

[MadLynx]

UPD: this solution is fixed to run with 02.18.16 update -- the current "updated" game version.


Almost all glitches in the Commandos 3 are because a Win10 does not support 16 bpp in fullscreen mode. And Commandos 3 in turn won't run windowed.

Fortunately there are some tools that forces DirectX applications to run windowed. I personally use DxWnd which is free and can be found here[sourceforge.net].

1. Download it and install(unpack) where you want.
   
2. Then run Notepad and copy-paste this text:
   

   [target]
   title0=Commandos 3
   path0=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Commandos 3 Destination Berlin\commandos3.exe
   launchpath0=
   module0=
   opengllib0=
   notes0=
   registry0=
   ver0=0
   coord0=3
   flag0=134217766
   flagg0=1275068560
   flagh0=134217744
   flagi0=205520896
   flagj0=4224
   flagk0=262176
   flagl0=0
   flagm0=0
   tflag0=0
   posx0=0
   posy0=0
   sizx0=800
   sizy0=600
   maxfps0=0
   initts0=0
   winver0=4
   maxres0=-1
   swapeffect0=0
   maxddinterface0=7
   

   
   
3. Save the file and rename it to "Commandos3.dxw"
   
4. Start the DxWnd. Click File --> Import... and load the file you've just created. Now you should see Commandos 3 string with a green circle in the DxWnd window. Close the DxWnd and agree to Save.
   
5. Run the DxWnd again. If you installed the game by default steam path, congratulations, you are reday to go to the steam and run the Commandos 3. If not, go and edit the path to the game .exe file (RMB on Commandos 3 in DxWnd window --> Modify).
   
6. From now in order to play the Commandos 3 you will just need to start DxWnd prior the game itself (from Steam) and keep it running in background while playing.

If you (likely) have a widescreen monitor, then you should manually set the desktop resolution to something of 4:3 aspect ratio (like 1280x960, 1600x1200 etc.) before actually start the game. This is because the Commandos 3 has the 800x600 only resolution and DxWnd will not correct the aspect ratio. Yes, there is the way to patch the .exe to overcome this, but it is beyond the scope of this post. Now the game should work fine and without any issues.

Not so difficult, is it?

ADD: this is not a guide to RUN the game, it is a way to run the game PROPERLY. In other words you'd be able to run the commandos 3 direct from Steam; otherwise this post has a little help for you.
ADD2: check the Martijn's solution to possible fix the game start crashes.
ADD3: Fidzsyiah made a video guide, see the post.

[PersiaFire]

Thanks it works!

[Poop on a Stick]

DXWnd is having trouble finding Steam...

[MadLynx]

Originally posted by Dunno?:

DXWnd is having trouble finding Steam...

DxWnd has nothing to do with Steam. It is intended for Commandos3.exe.

[[.i.]ForYou;)]

Excelent!!!!!

[Alexfender]

If i follow your tuto, i will not have problems with other games ? I desperatly try to run commandos 3 on win 8.1

[MadLynx]

Originally posted by HZR Fender:

If i follow your tuto, i will not have problems with other games ? I desperatly try to run commandos 3 on win 8.1

Only the Commandos 3 will be affected.

[Young]

ITS WORK THANK YOU SO MUCH

[FadedDeathKnight]

I did what you said but i can't seam to import the file to dxw (I can't seam to change the file type from .text (guessing that what you wanted to happen when renaming it with a .dxw but that did not work))

[MadLynx]

Originally posted by FadedDeathKnight:

I did what you said but i can't seam to import the file to dxw (I can't seam to change the file type from .text (guessing that what you wanted to happen when renaming it with a .dxw but that did not work))

In the DxWnd folder you can find 'Exports' subfolder. There are many saved .dxw files for other games. Try to open and edit one according to the posted here code. Then save it as new with renaming and try to import.

[Sebix.exe 🦀]

Thanks :D :D

[krashd]

Anyone tried DXGL? I've not tried it with Commandos 3, but it fixed Settlers 4 for me on Windows 10. DXGL runs DirectX 1-7 extensions in an OpenGL environment allowing a modern system to run games that are looking for a specific version of DirectX like 5 or 6.

It's useful, I'm not in the mood to faff about with Commandos again, but someone else might be bothered to give it a try.

[Hobo Bolsón]

when I created the file, I cannot imported to the DXW :C help!

[Hobo Bolsón]

I manage to do it, everything but the screen still flickers in the menu.

[MadLynx]

Did you run DxWnd as Administrator?

[wnstan]

Thank you so much!!!