Windows 10

Windows 10 is the current Windows Operating System for PCs by Microsoft. In late 2014 the first public beta versions (called Preview Builds) appeared. It was release in mid 2015 and has since already gone through many so called "feature upgrades", bringing new functions with them.

Microsoft skipped Version 9 to emphasise the big changes since 8/8.1. Microsoft gave away Windows 10 free of charge to all users of Windows 7 and 8.1 as an upgrade for one year after release, a limit that was further extended for people needing any kind of assistive technologies - tools designed for people with impaired hearing or sight - up until the end of 2017.

Improvements

Unlike the predecessor that focussed on full screen apps, Windows 10 brought back the classic desktop and a start menu. Technically it improves on stability and speed, e.g. using a hybrid sleep mode instead of shutting down the PC for fast start-up times. On the other hand, it clearly favours the use of an SSD to speed up its many disk accesses.

Older hardware is supported quite well, but support for AGP was dropped in version 1607 without prior announcement. Using drivers from older versions can be used as a workaround, but are not guaranteed to work.

Compatibility with Tomb Raider Games is quite good: Windows 10 does support any of the existing Tomb Raider Games similar to Windows 8 using the same tricks like DosBox or Glidos for the original Tomb Raider, compatibility mode and patches for the other classic games and native support for the Crystal Dynamics titles since Legend.

Tomb Raider Games for Windows

Remark: This article describes Compatibility of the original game discs with Windows. For information on newer versions (like downloadable Steam games), see Steam.

---

Using Third Party Software

The following games will work best with Windows 2000 and newer by using Glidos, DosBox, or similar techniques:

• Tomb Raider

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
• Tomb Raider III
• Tomb Raider IV The Last Revelation
• Tomb Raider Chronicles

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.

• Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness

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:

• Tomb Raider Legend
• Tomb Raider Anniversary
• Tomb Raider Underworld
• Tomb Raider (2013)

64-bit System Required

The following games will only run on a 64-bit system:

• Rise of the Tomb Raider

Officially supported only on Windows 7 and newer. Needs at least DirectX 11.

Lara Croft Games

• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Windows Vista and newer.

• Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris

Windows Vista and newer.