Windows 7
Windows 7 is an Operating System for the PC by Microsoft. It was published in 2009 and is still supported with updates up until 2020. An upgrade to Windows 10 was offered free of charge for one year after its release, a limit that was further extended for users using any kind of assistive technologies - tools designed for people with impaired hearing or sight - up until the end of 2017.
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Improvements
Windows 7 differs from its predecessor Vista mainly in terms of faster execution and an overall improved look and feel. Technically there were some improvements, too, especially the reduction of requests for administrative privileges, which on Vista were quite common and lead to most users just agreeing without reading the messages displayed and understanding the consequences.
Where Vista was not very much liked by the users, who preferred to stick with the older and proven Windows XP, 7 was a huge success, so much that people were refusing to migrate to the newer Windows 8 and even the current Windows 10, citing the same reasons: Better compatibility, accustomed look and feel, and - especially in the case of 10 - better privacy.
Compatibility with Tomb Raider Games is very good, even for older games from the pre-NT era.
Tomb Raider Games for Windows
Using Third Party Software
The following games will work best with Windows 2000 and newer by using Glidos, DosBox, or similar techniques:
- Windows NT and newer systems based on it do not support real mode DOS.
- On 32-bit machines Tomb Raider can by played in the command shell, although many limitations do apply, like problems with sound and only low resolution graphics without hardware acceleration.
- On 64-bit versions of Windows it is technically impossible to run 16-bit applications like the original Tomb Raider in the command shell. You will have to use Glidos or DosBox.
Using Compatibility Mode and/or (Third Party) Patches
The following games will work with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 by either using the compatibility mode and/or an unofficial third party Patch:
- Tomb Raider II through Chronicles will for the most part run at once or with the "Windows 98/ME" compatibility mode enabled that has been available since Windows XP.
- From Vista on Microsoft has removed the Direct3D interface used by EAX. Owners of a Sound Blaster X-Fi sound card manufactured by Creative can avoid this problem by using the program ALchemy. You might also try the Multi Patch listed at tombraiderchronicles.com.
Out-of-the-Box
The following games will work without problems in Windows XP and newer:
64-bit System Required
The following games will only run on a 64-bit system:
- Officially supported only on Windows 7 and newer. Needs at least DirectX 11.
Lara Croft Games
- Windows Vista and newer.
- Windows Vista and newer.
