Service Depot: Official Red Alert Freeware Release Instructions

The following is the official guide for the freeware release of C&C: Red Alert as was released by Electronic Arts in 2008.

For a more complete and up-to-date solution, check out the guide titled Installing Command & Conquer: Red Alert, Counterstrike & The Aftermath.


For the thirteenth anniversary of Command & Conquer, EA officially released Red Alert for free download! This follows up on the success of C&C1’s free release for the twelfth anniversary. As this is an old game it will only run in XP with modifications, but this guide will take you through it step-by-step.

64 Bit Users: Players have reported success installing the game using the Red Alert Setup Manager v0.98 tool.

  • First you need to download it. The files have been released in their original format; one for Allied missions and another for Soviet missions, you only need one to play online though.

The files have been compressed to save on filesize (and so EA can add unnecessary promotional material), you’ll need to download and install WinRAR to extract them:

  • Double click the .rar file:

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  • Double click RedAlert1_SovietDisc (or RedAlert1_AlliedDisc) twice:

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  • Drag the .iso file and the XP_Patch folder onto your desktop:

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Once downloaded and extracted you can either burn each .iso file to a CD, provided you have the correct software, or:

  • Download and install MagicISO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM.
  • Right-click the MagicISO Virtual CD/DVD-ROM Manger icon in the notification area,
  • Mouse-over Virtual CD/DVD Rom:

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  • Mouse over J: No Media (the drive letter may vary depending on your individual computer setup),
  • Click Mount:

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  • Browse to one of the downloaded ISOs and open it.
  • The autoplay window will now appear with a cheery “Welcome to Westwood” message, close it.
  • Explore the disk,
  • Double-click the Setup95 folder icon.
  • Right click on SETUP and select properties.
  • Select the Compatibility tab.
  • Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for: box.
  • Then select Windows 95 in the drop down window below.

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  • Click Apply then OK.
  • Now double click SETUP.exe to install the game.
  • Untick the install DirectX option.
  • If you wish to play online you should choose to also install Westwood Chat.

Now the game is installed, you do not need to repeat this with the other file. The next step is to install the patch:

  • Open the XP_Patch directory we extracted to your desktop earlier.
  • Copy the patch file into the Red Alert installation directory, by default this is located at C:\Westwood\RedAlert
  • Double click on the patch to run the patch file. This will create three more files – Patch.exe, Patch.rtp, and Patch.txt.
  • Double clicking on Patch.exe will initiate the update process.

You should now be able to play Red Alert, however if you receive an error message follow these instructions:

  • Click on the My Computer icon.
  • Navigate to the Red Alert installation directory, by default this is located at C:\Westwood\Red Alert
  • Right click on RA95 and select properties.
  • Select the Compatibility tab.
  • Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for: box.
  • Then select Windows 95 in the drop down window below.

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  • Click Apply then OK.

Red Alert is now installed and playable both off and online!

Screenshot Credits: Frankaz

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