Instruction on how to run the Origin version of Red Alert 2 on Windows 11 with full resolution patch
- Download RA2+YR from within the Origin client.
- Download https://bibber.eu/downloads/cnc-ultimate-collection-launchers/
- Unzip "cnc-ultimate-collection-launchers.zip"
- Run and install "C&C Ultimate Collection Launchers Setup.exe"
- Choose RA2+YR in the installer menu.
- When it's done, copy the following folder to another location:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Command and Conquer Red Alert II"
To, for example: "C:\RA2"
In your copy of the above folder, "C:\RA2" in the example, do the follwing:
- Download this: https://github.com/CnCNet/cnc-ddraw
Direct link: https://github.com/CnCNet/cnc-ddraw/releases/latest/download/cnc-ddraw.zip
- Extract the zip file into the copied folder from above. There should now be a new folder called "Shaders", and some new files in "C:\RA2": cnc-ddraw config.exe ddraw.dll ddraw.ini
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Run "C:\RA2\cnc-ddraw config.exe"
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Go to Display Settings (should be opened by default) and: Set Presentation to "Borderless" Enable "Maintain aspect ratio" Disable "VSync" Enable "Adjust mouse sensitivity" Enable "Lock cursor to window / screen"
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Go to Advanced Settings: Set Renderer to "OpenGL" Set Shader to "Shaders\interpolation\bilinear.glsl" Disable "Limit frame rate" Disable "Enable windowboxing / integer scaling" Enable "Show window borders in windowed mode" Disable "Remember window position and size"
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Go to Compability Settings: Set "Limit game speed" to 60. i'll show how to specify it more fine grained later. Disable all other (5) settings
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Exit "cnc-ddraw config.exe"
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Open "ddraw.ini" and:
Find the line "maxgameticks=60", should be on line 85. Set it to your preferred speed. (I recommend somewhere around 100.)
- Save and exit the "ddraw.ini" file.
- Open "RA2.INI"
- Find the video section and change the defaults to your resolution like this (for 1080p in this example):
ScreenWidth=1920 ScreenHeight=1080
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Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the file "RA2MD.INI"
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Do not try to change the resolution from within the game. Always change it from these two above configuration files.
Run "C:\RA2\RA2Launcher.exe" Choose the game, RA2 or YR. Enjoy.
- Download CnCNet5_YR_Installer.exe from here: https://cncnet.org/yuris-revenge#download
Direct link: https://downloads.cncnet.org/CnCNet5_YR_Installer.exe
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Make a copy of the "C:\RA2" folder to, for instance, "C:\RA2_CNCNET"
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Run "CnCNet5_YR_Installer.exe"
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MAKE SURE you choose "C:\RA2_CNCNET" instead of the default: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\Command and Conquer Red Alert II"
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MAKE SURE you do not choose "C:\RA2" as well.
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It will start automatically. Make sure to press Yes to edit the settings.
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Exit the game.
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Edit "C:\RA2_CNCNET\ddraw.ini".
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On line 79 it should say the same value you chose before, eg: maxgameticks=100
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Save the file.
Run ""C:\RA2_CNCNET\CnCNetYRLauncher.exe" for the CNCNet multiplayer client. Enjoy.
- Open Origin.
- Uninstall RA2.