How to Play Age of Empire 3 Without a Disk
By Chappy Sinclair
Updated September 22, 2017
Age of Empires 3 is a real-time strategy game. It features both a single player campaign and multi-player mode. Each of these are linked to an EXE (executable) file. As an anti-piracy measure, the game requires that you have the CD in the disc tray to run the game. However, using what is called a \"no-CD crack\", you can bypass the CD check and run the game directly from the EXE file. No-CD cracks do not cause damage to the game or limit the game's functionality.
Download the Age of Empires 3 no-CD crack that corresponds with the version of the game you're using. For example, if you're using version 1.2, you will need the 1.2 no-CD crack.
Click the \"Start\" in the taskbar. Select Search. This will open the search window.
Search for and open the main Age of Empires 3 directory. By default, this is \"C:\Program Files\Ensemble/Age of Empires 3\".
Copy the \"aoe3.exe\" file. Paste it into the same directory. This will create a backup of the file titled \"Copy of aoe3.exe\".
Copy and paste the no-CD crack into the main directory for Age of Empires 3.
Click \"Yes\" when warned that you would be overriding the original.
Click the \"aoe3.exe\" file to begin the game.
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Writer Bio
Chappy Sinclair has been writing professionally since 2006. He has been able to share his gaming and computer-related impressions and opinions on a national scale with published submissions in "PC Gamer Magazine" and "Maximum PC." Sinclair is currently studying for an aeronautical degree in navigation and avionics at the American Academy of Aeronautics.