Fallout 3 is the last successor of the Fallout series. It is a total action-packed role-play open-world gaming. The creator Bethesda launched it in 2008 for all platforms. Even after a decade now, due to the immense popularity of Fallout 3, people still play this game today.  However, this was the only game because of which people started idolizing the Fallout series.

Also, Bethesda after such popularity launch a Special Limited version of the game. 

Unfortunately, some of the players who are using an old computer are not able to run this game, even though it was designed to run on any old computer. Fallout 3 is not compatible with the latest Windows versions. However, people have found ways to run it on any operating system. But some users while installing it on Windows 10 reported some problems. If you are facing any such issues while running the Fallout 3 on Windows, then check out the effective instructions or steps to fix the problems you are facing.

Tip 1: Check the Display Settings

Sometimes the issue might be with the display settings of your Windows 10. As the problems can be resolved once you fix the display settings of the PC. So follow the cited below steps to check the display settings of the PC.

  • First, you have to launch the game in Window mode. For that, you need to select Options from the Fallout 3 launcher and then mark with a tick on the window box.
  • Disable the second one from the Window Display Settings, if you are using dual monitors.
  • Now, make sure that the resolution of the game matches the display monitors. And for that, go to the display monitors by selecting Options from the Fallout 3 launcher.
  • Now, under Graphics Adapter and Resolution, select the correct resolution.

After that, check if it solves the problem.

Tip 2: Run Fallout 3 as an Administrator

If the above one does not work, then you can run the game as an administrator. As in many cases, the problem with Fallout 3 fixes when running as an administrator. However, running the Fallout 3 with administrator privileges is quite easy. You can check out the following instructions to do so.

  • Firstly, you have to go to the Fallout 3 folder which is in the Steam folder.

The default location of the Fallout 3 folder: X:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 3 goty or C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 3

  • Now, you have to right-click on the .exe file for Fallout 3.
  • Then you will be given a context menu and then click on the Properties.
  • After that, go to the Compatibility tab.
  • Now, you have to enable the Run this program as an administrator option. So to do so you need to mark the checkbox located directly beside it.
  • Then click on the Apply and then on OK
  •  Lastly, launch the game and check if the problem is solved or not.

Tip 3: Run Fallout 3 in Compatibility Mode

As you know that Fallout 3 is not compatible with Windows 10 officially. This sometimes causes the game to crash or not run properly. Therefore, you can also be a victim of the compatible mode option. Many users try to run Fallout 3 on their Windows 10 PC and fail to run due to compatibility issues. Thus, you can run the Fallout 3 in Compatible mode by following the instructions below:

  • Firstly, go to the Fallout 3 folder which is in the Steam folder.

The default location of the Fallout 3 folder: X:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 3 goty or C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 3.

  • Now, you have to right-click on the .exe file for Fallout 3.
  • Then you will be given a context menu and then click on the Properties.
  • After that, go to the Compatibility tab.
  • Now you need to enable the Run this program in Compatibility Mode option. In order to do so, mark the checkbox located directly beside it.
  • Following that, open the dropdown menu directly under the Run this program in Compatible mode. Now, click on the Windows XP (Service Pack 3) to select it.
  • Then click on the Apply and then on OK
  •  Lastly, launch the game and check if the problem is solved or not.

However, if Fallout 3 does not run, then you can tweak with the Windows XP (Service pack 2) or Windows XP (Service Pack 1) or Windows 7.

Tip 4: Download and Install Windows Live Software

If you cannot solve the above-mentioned steps, you can simply download and install the Windows Live Software. For that, follow the steps listed below.

  • First of all, download the GFW Live Software.
  • After that, once the download is complete, simply install the software
  • Once the installation is completed, launch the Games for Windows Live.
  • The files that are required for the Fallout 3 to run on your Windows 10 will automatically be downloaded Games for Windows Live.
  • Now when the downloading is completed, launch the game and check if you have got relieved of the issue or not.

Tip 5: Modify the falloutprefs.ini File

Lastly, all you can do is to modify the falloutprefs.ini file. This is basically a configuration file of the game Fallout 3. You can make simple modifications in the file to make Fallout 3 run in your Windows 10. Thus, check out the steps cited hereunder:

  • In the beginning, go to My Documents\My Games\Fallout3
  • Now, find the file with the name “ falloutprefs.ini” 
  • Double click on it to open the file in NotePad.
  • Find and locate the bUseThreadedAI=0, now change the 0 to 1. Though if you do not see the bUseThreadedAI=0, simply add it.
  • After that, in a new line iNumHWThreads=2.

(you can the iNumHWThreads=2 to iNumHWThreads=1  if the game does not run)

  • To save the changes, press the Ctrl key and S together.
  • Lastly, run the Fallout 3 and check if the problems get resolved or not.

Wrapping Up

You can use these tips and tricks to play Fallout 3 on Windows 10. However, if the game still does not run, then you can check whether your PC has the minimum requirements to run the game.