Downgrade to Patch 1.0.4.0 (Most/ Older Mods Work)

Guide on how to downgrade to patch 1040 (Best version for modding)

Start

WARNING: This may break your game so don't blame me if it doesn't work. It works for some and doesn't work for others so please do this on a fresh copy of the game (reinstall).
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Some ENBs and scripts + more do not work over patch 1040. The .exe may be flagged as a a threat by your antivirus. Follow each step or it may not work. Everything must be installed, please disable your antivirus for this install:

Step 1: Download these files I packed:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxuvk2wXAXAdaFJoaE8zNjcyazg


Step 2: Run the exe, agree and it should install patch 1040 files to your GTA 4 folder.


Step 3: Drag everything from xlive less into GTA 4 main directory (where gta4.exe is)


Step 4: Install fonts to see text in game, to Install go to GTAIV > common > data Just drag both files.
(The folder shold look like this)


Enjoy your mods. If it crashes try again, if that doesn't work then IDK.

NOTES

- If anyone has trouble with nativetrainer take out scripthook.dll. X liveless.dll is also an asi file loader so it works like scripthook.

how to fix 2gb GPU issue:

right click on gta IV in steam and h it properties then hit set launch options and put this in -nomemrestrict -norestrictions that will solve it. The reason GTA iv does that is because it only recgonizes 2gb cards and is unable to calculate above that.


https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1372047571

Video of installation (Not made by me) This video also includes some pointers that might help you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8I-uhmfyJQ

If you are having trouble installing (thanks to xale)

2020 update.

It doesn't work if you do as done in the guide here. You have to use a shortcut of the GTAIV.exe in the installation folder.

Do the following:

Step 1: Run the GTAIV_MAINTENANCE_UPDATE_1040_EFIGS.exe, agree and it should install patch 1040 files to your GTA 4 folder.

Step 3: Drag everything from xlive less into GTA 4 main directory (where gta4.exe is)

Step 4: Install fonts to see text in game, to Install go to GTAIV > common > data Just drag both files.

Here is a step by step tutorial on how to use the "-norestrictions" commandline for GTAIV.exe

1. You need the shortcut "GTAIV" on your desktop, right click -> properties.
In the "Target" field it looks like this: "...\Grand Theft Auto IV\GTAIV.exe"

2. Add the command line "-norestrictions" to the end of that "Target", so it looks like this:
"...\Grand Theft Auto IV\GTAIV.exe" -norestrictions and afterwards click "ok"

3. Now double click your "GTAIV" on the desktop, which you edited in step 1 and 2.

2021-2022 Update

As of November 2021, this patch still works. You just have to jump through a few extra hoops and be ready to troubleshoot. You also won't be able to start the game through steam or get achievements, but at least it bypasses the POS rockstar launcher.

1. Start with a clean, unbooted copy of the complete edition. (what I did, might be why I had no corrupted saves)

2. Install the removed soundtracks mod FIRST. This will prevent text bugs and unwanted crashes.

3. Download the patch from this guide and follow its install instructions.

4. Download ThirteenAG's xliveless addon. This will prevent you from getting anti-piracy glitches. Link: https://bitbucket.org/ThirteenAG/xlivelessaddon/downloads/?tab=downloads

5. In the GTA IV root folder (the one with GTAIV.exe), create a text document and name it "commandline.txt". Write "-nomemrestrict" and "-norestriction" in the document on separate lines.

The first 1 or 2 boot ups will often bug out but after that it should run fine.


August 8, 2022: Thank you to everyone who has been contributing in the comments, guide will still remain up. There are many useful tips in the comments that have been contributed by other players over the years.

[Schitzor]

For anybody that has the complete edition and is getting the "side-by-side" error while trying to start GTAIV.exe, download this:
https://download.microsoft.com/download/8/B/4/8B42259F-5D70-43F4-AC2E-4B208FD8D66A/vcredist_x86.EXE

After that has been installed, run the game through "PlayGTAIV.exe", not "GTAIV.exe". I don't know if the "LaunchGTAIV.exe" file is necessary, but I have that in the folder as well, just in case. I hope this helps.

[Sebas14]

Tengo muchas ganas de jugar este juego sin lag al activar las sombras, pero hay que hacer mucho lio para que funcione, sumado a los obstáculos nuevos que ponen en cada actualización, mejor lo dejo así, ni ganas de renegar por horas, maldito rockstar y su horrible optimización con este hermoso juego

[dominikcz.zero]

Patch 1.0.3.0 is better due to higher performance.

[robster2111]

As of November 2021, this patch still works. You just have to jump through a few extra hoops and be ready to troubleshoot. You also won't be able to start the game through steam or get achievements, but at least it bypasses the POS rockstar launcher.

1. Start with a clean, unbooted copy of the complete edition. (what I did, might be why I had no corrupted saves)

2. Install the removed soundtracks mod FIRST. This will prevent text bugs and unwanted crashes.

3. Download the patch from this guide and follow its install instructions.

4. Download ThirteenAG's xliveless addon. This will prevent you from getting anti-piracy glitches. Link: https://bitbucket.org/ThirteenAG/xlivelessaddon/downloads/?tab=downloads

5. In the GTA IV root folder (the one with GTAIV.exe), create a text document and name it "commandline.txt". Write "-nomemrestrict" and "-norestriction" in the document on separate lines.

The first 1 or 2 boot ups will often bug out but after that it should run fine.

[Tusk]

Error: Grand Theft Auto IV Was Not Detected

motherfucker i literally put it in the GTA IV directory

[Marcus]

Been a long time since I last updated / read this guide. Unfortunately I'm currently not in a position where I have enough time to fix this guide to downgrade back 1040 or even play GTA 4. I appreciate everyone for contributing. I will however leave the guide up, but will not be updating it anytime soon.

[Volk]

So now it doesnt launch thru steam cz rockstar whatever, I moved it to outside of steam and tryna launch it on its own. The mf camera is drunk, like a pirated game. Any solutions ?

[juanme555]

I get drunken camera anti-piracy glitch, despite owning this game on steam for 7 years now.

It's alright, is not even worth playing this game on steam anymore, lots of soundtrack have been deleted from the game when you download it today from steam, the newer version has worse mod support than even 1.0.7.0 , and the only glitch they "fixed" is the final mission on 120fps, which could already been fixed in even 1.0 by simply locking fps to 30 or 60 , which you could do with Vsync in game.

No point in playing this version on steam anymore, you can download what's avialable today on steam if you just want a simple vanilla experience, which has its place.
Anyone trying to run at more stable fps or any mods at all, just download from a reliable pirate website and use 1.0.4.0 there.

How sad...

[EXBASTARDO]

Guys, if you are downloading for GTA: IV Complete Edition this won't work since it now logs in into Rockstar Games launcher.

The game won't start if you launch it from Steam, and if you do the fix of launch it via GTAIV.exe you'll end up with lots of errors and glitches like corrupted saves, the drunken camera effect, the font glitches and such.

Whenever I managed to solve on those fixes, another one appeared so... if you want to play with mods you need to look for another solution...

[elbow and ass]

I can't change my graphics, it keeps giving me a warning