Installing disc copies of FF7 on Windows 10

[RedManMark86]

Trying to install an old copy of FF7 on Windows 10 and finding that it doesn't work? Have no fear! Use Tom's Installer! It'll install the game from original discs, even on Windows 10, where the original installer doesn't work! Note: It will not help with piracy. You need discs. ~Covarr

Just a heads up, in the RTM build of windows 10 final fantasy 7 will not install so make sure to install a clean copy before you upgrade if you plan on using 7th Heaven as I'm completely stuck ha.

It did work fine with earlier builds and I've tried all sorts of compatibility settings but with no luck. It seems to get stuck once you click install and then it switches to the 32bit installer through the wow64 compatibility layer, when you check task manager it has started it up but it is just sitting there using 0% cpu and 1.4mb ram :/

Hopefully the game converter can maybe be updated to force the install to happen or copy the files across and write the necessary registry settings otherwise be ready to buy the steam version

Edit: Just to be clear, this only applies to disc-based versions of the game. The Steam version installs just fine, and is recommended for people purchasing FF7 for the first time. ~Covarr

[Sega Chief]

Thanks for the heads-up; I had all these misgivings about upgrading so I held off on it.

[Covarr]

I've had issues with old versions of InstallShield even as far back as Windows 7. This comes as no surprise to me.

If nobody else steps forward, I might make a replacement installer that grabs the data off the discs so people don't have to rely on the original piece of junk installer. This idea has been stewing around in my head for a while, so now's as good a time as any to actually do it.

[Kaldarasha]

I've had issues with old versions of InstallShield even as far back as Windows 7. This comes as no surprise to me.

If nobody else steps forward, I might make a replacement installer that grabs the data off the discs so people don't have to rely on the original piece of junk installer. This idea has been stewing around in my head for a while, so now's as good a time as any to actually do it.

Maybe Tom has made some improvements on his FF7config.exe. http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=16126.0
Would be nice to have it installed, too.

[Covarr]

I remember he was also working on a replacement installer. But, like his FF7config, it was never released. I don't know if it's been finished to a releasable state or not.

[RedManMark86]

if someone could make an installer I would be forever grateful! Right now I'm stuck and don't want to pay for the steam release just to convert it back to the old version :/

Plus with microsoft shoving windows 10 down every ones throats this is going to become common and windows 10 itself is actually a really good OS

[yarLson]

common?  Maybe not, there are very few people who still have the original version of the PC game.  Most people have steam this is really only a problem for a few nerds like us lol

[RedManMark86]

so is there any chance of anyone doing this as right now I am completely stuck on what to do to get this to install other than buying the steam release

[Insight]

Hm, i had no issues at all with SE downloadable version (bought version from the shop) on windows 10. I did this....

Started the GameConverter in admin mode. Set the correct game path (even when he does find it, just set it manually) and thats it.

[RedManMark86]

Hm, i had no issues at all with SE downloadable version (bought version from the shop) on windows 10. I did this....

Started the GameConverter in admin mode. Set the correct game path (even when he does find it, just set it manually) and thats it.

This isn't about the releases, this is for the original CD version

[Insight]

This isn't about the releases, this is for the original CD version

ah ic, now i understand.  sorry for mixing it up <_<

[-Ric-]

Damn! I just picked up the game from my pile and decided to give it another playthrough and i can't install it because of windows 10... has anyone figured out any workaround?

[yarLson]

you can install windows 7 or 8 install the game then upgrade to windows 10 through there.  I still have my 7 install doing in that way so that should work for others too

[Covarr]

you can install windows 7 or 8 install the game then upgrade to windows 10 through there.  I still have my 7 install doing in that way so that should work for others too

This is good to know. Since nobody else has said or done anything about this, I think I'll get started on a replacement installer myself later tonight. No guarantee on when I'll have it done, and I can't promise any special features beyond simply installing the game, but this shouldn't be too hard.

[Tom]

We should sticky this thread since it contains critical information on running the game

Don't worry I'm working on the Installer Remake (and have been for a while)!



The installer should be 1:1 to the original and will come in 2 versions. One that runs from your HDD and installs from disc and another that can be burned onto the disc (conver to iso, add installer to iso via patch and re burn)

Its based on a Q-Gears installer however will work on stock ff7 (and will have 100% original texts so ignore the Q-Gears label up top)

Kaldarasha my updated FF7Config will be included in this update as an option (selectable on the screen where you select if you want DirectShow installed)

[hgdagon]

Is it the Installshield issue only? 'Cause it's possible to bypass it one way or another. Does the game itself run?

[Tom]

Yes, the game itself does run if you install it in windows 7 or 8 then upgrade to 10 with your upgrade disc

EDIT 26/8/2015:  Looks like a 64 bit installer is also possible if anyone wants it.

[RedManMark86]

this is amazing guys! I don't want it to do anything fancy but just to install the game so I can install New Threat lol.

Also I'm all for 64bit if it won't break 7th heaven and so on?

[Tom]

off course it won't break 7thH its only an installer, the installed product is identical to if you had used the original installer.
Infact since its new we can add mod support to it so you can select a list of mods to install and the installer install them on the fly while it installs the game. 
The sky is the limit with this new installer

You can now read all about the new installer on its forum thread: http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=16328

[genesis063]

Even if you run a 64bit things should still install in the 32 as they did not take the time to switch over.  Original it was suppose to be replaced but there are two many things installed in there to get rid of it.  Though this may depend on your build but mine is Asus with windows 10 and it runs things fine so far aside from Ochu.

[Tom]

Does windows 10 even come in a 32 bit version?
And yes, it will install in the 32 bit program folder because Final Fantasy 7 is a 32 bit program

[genesis063]

Doesn't matter never put anything in the 64 it will not work.  As stated you still need to use the 32 one as it is still the main system thing being used.

[Tom]

Tom's Installer has been released! Check out the project thread to download the latest version and *finnaly* play Final Fantasy 7 on your sparkly new Windows 10 machine!
Link: http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=16328
I have also added a few other goodies in there such as auto 1.02 updating and automatic chocobo races crash fix

[Dtizet]

This is wierd cause today i just installed FFVII from my original cd on windows 10 :O, at first when i  press install, the launcher didn't show up, but the process was there, a few hour later i figured out that you need to end the process of  "Microsoft OneDrive (32bit)" and  "Speech Runtime Executable" i dont know why but it worked

[eXistenZe]

Original setup working fine for me too.
Using original ff7 ISOs made a decade ago, with windows 10 (x64) automatic image mount.
Worked flawlessly for me.