How to Get Diablo 2 to Work on Windows 7 | 2 Methods

Diablo 2 is an action RPG (Role Playing Game) hack-and-slash video game that has been very popular amongst gamers since its release. The fast-paced gameplay can entice anyone. Although the game was originally released for Windows 10, many Windows 7 users want to play the game as well.

But it is difficult to run Diablo 2 on Windows 7 and most of the time, the game crashes or doesn’t run at all. But of course, there are workarounds such as running the game on administrator mode, updating the game files, etc.

Here, in this article, we will show you how you can get Diablo 2 to work on Windows 7.

How to Get Diablo 2 to Work on Windows 7

Working Methods to Get Diablo 2 to Work on Windows 7

Here we will go through some of the methods that will help you play Diablo 2 on your Windows 7 PC. Keep in mind that some methods might be confusing but if you follow the steps properly, it will work for you.

Method 1: Set up Compatibility Mode and Run Diablo 2 as An Administrator

This is a long and complicated method. But we will divide it into 4 steps and make it very simple for you. Here are the steps –

Step 1: Set up Compatibility Mode

You will need to set your compatibility mode to Windows XP (Service Pack 3). Follow the below process –

  1. Find the executable file (.exe file) for Diablo 2.
  2. Right-click on the file and select Properties.
  3. From the Properties window, click on the Compatibility tab.
  4. Here, under the section labeled Compatibility Mode, check the box for Run this program in compatibility mode for option.
  5. From the drop-down menu, select the Windows XP (Service Pack 3) option.
  6. Click on Apply and then OK.

This step is now complete. Let’s move on to the next step.

Step 2: Run in 256 Colors

Now you will set your Windows 7 to 256 colors. Follow these –

  1. Right-click on an empty space on the Desktop and select Screen Resolution.
  2. From the window that popped up, select the Advanced Settings link from the right side of the window.
  3. Now select the Adapter tab and then click on the List All Modes button.
  4. Here, select one of the resolutions with 256 colors.

Your windows 7 will now be in 256 colors mode. Now the next step.

Step 3: Disable Desktop Composition

Now you will need to disable your desktop composition. Follow the process described below –

  1. Click on the Start menu and then go to Control Panel.
  2. Now select System and Security and then go to System.
  3. Click on Advanced system settings.
  4. From this System Properties window, click on the Advanced tab and then click on the Settings button (Performance section).
  5. Uncheck the box for Enable Desktop Composition.
  6. Click on Apply and then OK.

This step is also completed. We are getting close to the end of this method.

Step 4: Run Diablo 2 as An Administrator

Finally, you will need to run the game as an administrator. Follow the below steps –

  1. Right-click on the .exe file of Diablo2 and select Properties.
  2. Click on the Compatibility tab.
  3. Check the box for Run this program as an administrator.
  4. Click on Apply and then OK.

And you’re done. You should be able to launch and play Diablo 2 now on your Windows 7 PC without any issues.

Method 2: Create a .bat File to Run Diablo 2

Diablo 2 will crash on startup without DirectX 12. So here is another workaround –

  1. Go to the Nuget website and then click on Download Package.
  2. After downloading the .nupkg file, rename this file and then add the .zip extension.
  3. Now, extract the renamed .zip file.
  4. Now, enter the extracted folder and then navigate to the bin folder > x64.
  5. Find and copy the d3d12.dll and dxilconv7.dll files.
  6. Go to where the game is installed and paste the files where the .exe file of the game is.
  7. Now, you will need to download the v0.1-winx64-rel.zip file from GitHub and then extract the contents of it next to the .exe file of the game.
  8. Then create a new text file and then paste this – withdll /d:win10verhack64.dll game.exe in the text file and save it.
  9. Now, rename the text file with the extension .bat (This file will now be executable).
  10. Lastly, run the renamed .bat file.

The game should now work after running the .bat file.

Note: This method is not foolproof. Depending on the situation, this may not work. If your GPU doesn’t support DirectX12, it will not work. You will also need the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2019. Update this if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Diablo 2 64-bit or 32-bit?

Diablo 2 is a 32-bit application. It will not run on a 64-bit operating system.

Can I still play the original Diablo 2 on Windows 7?

Yes, you can still play the classic Diablo 2 on Windows 7. The developers have stated that it will not be going away as many fans prefer Diablo 2 over Diablo 3.

Conclusion

Diablo 2 was not made for Windows 7 originally. But with the methods described above, you can play the game on your Windows 7 PC without any issues. We hope we were able to help you in getting Diablo 2 to work on your Windows 7 computer. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us in the comments section.

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