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How to Play Age of Empires II Without a CD

Age of Empires II is one of the most popular real-time strategy games ever made. It lets you control one of 35 different civilizations and lead them to glory through different historical periods. However, if you have an old copy of the game and you want to play it on a modern PC, you might encounter some problems. One of them is that you need to insert the CD every time you want to play, which can be annoying and inconvenient.

Fortunately, there are some ways to play Age of Empires II without a CD. One of them is to download a no-CD patch or crack that modifies the game’s executable file and bypasses the CD check. Another option is to download a digital version of the game from a reputable source, such as Steam or Microsoft Store, which does not require a CD at all. In this article, we will explain both methods and help you enjoy this classic game without any hassle.

Method 1: Download a No-CD Patch or Crack

A no-CD patch or crack is a small file that replaces or modifies the original game’s executable file and allows you to run the game without inserting the CD. This can be useful if you have lost or damaged your CD, or if you want to save some disk space by deleting the CD image. However, you should be careful when downloading such files from the internet, as they might contain viruses or malware that can harm your computer. You should also make sure that the patch or crack matches your game version and language, otherwise it might not work properly.

Here are the steps to download and apply a no-CD patch or crack for Age of Empires II:

1. Make a backup copy of your original game’s executable file (usually named empires2.exe) and store it in a safe location.
2. Find a reliable website that offers no-CD patches or cracks for Age of Empires II. Some examples are GameBurnWorld[^2^], MegaGames[^3^], and GameCopyWorld (not included in search results).
3. Download the patch or crack that matches your game version (e.g., v1.0c, v2.0a) and language (e.g., English, Spanish, German).
4. Extract the downloaded file using a program like WinRAR or 7-Zip and copy the new executable file (usually also named empires2.exe) to your game folder, replacing the original one.
5. Run the game as usual and enjoy playing without a CD.

Method 2: Download a Digital Version of the Game

A digital version of the game is a copy that you can download and install on your computer without needing a physical CD. This is usually more convenient and secure than using a no-CD patch or crack, as you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues or viruses. However, you might have to pay some money to buy the game from an official source, such as Steam or Microsoft Store. You might also need to create an account and log in to play online or access some features.

Here are the steps to download and install a digital version of Age of Empires II:

1. Choose a platform where you want to buy and download the game. Some options are Steam[^1^], Microsoft Store, GOG.com, and Humble Bundle (not included in search results).
2. Check the system requirements and price of the game before buying it. Make sure your computer can run it smoothly and that you have enough disk space for installation.
3. Create an account on the platform if you don’t have one already and log in.
4. Purchase the game using your preferred payment method and follow the instructions to download and install it on your computer.
5. Run the game from your platform’s launcher or shortcut and enjoy playing without a CD.

Note

If you want to play Age of Empires II with improved graphics, sound, gameplay, and new content, you might want to consider buying Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition[^1^] instead of the original version. This is a rem