Age of empires II won't work via windows 10

AOE II - HD is availalbe on steam.

www.steampowered.com - they have a digital version of the game that works on Windows 10.

I am using the digital version (steam) with the same issue as the others here. On or offline, the game won't load after pressing play. This is very frustrating.

I am using the steam digital version of AOE II HD edition and am having this exact same issue. Straight answer, is the game compatible with Windows 10 or not? Getting mixed messages from every Microsoft representative I speak to, if they're not compatible what are Microsoft going to do to change it and make it compatible. I don't want new graphics etc, I like AOE II HD edition as it is and don't want to upgrade to a newer version of the game.

There is not a fix from Microsoft on this issue, and they do not plan on providing one.

I called them, as I own the entire Age of Empires & Age of Mythology collection, and their official response is;

Microsoft security prevents Safedisc copy protection on the disc from running and is not supported in windows 10.

They recommend that you purchase the new Online version of the game.

The patch listed above does not apply to the windows 10 issue, and "gameJackal" costs more than the new game as well as opening your system to security threats, so there are no good options, we just got screwed by Microsoft.

Frustratingly I have the digital copy through steam and that still doesn't work.

Hello, I know this is almost a year after the posted question, but I have found a fix for this problem. I have the CD version of AOE II Gold Edition. I first played it on another PC running windows 7. However, once I tried playing it on my new PC running Windows 10, it seized to work. I had to go through multiple steps to fix this issue. Many sources were used.

4% Installation Issue

The first problem I encountered was the game getting stuck at 4%. In order to fix this you must go to your PC where the CD can be found. Right click and copy the CD then proceed to paste it on your desktop. Now, open that file,  go to SYSTEM, then go to FONTS. Install every single font, even if it says it already exists. That should fix the 4% issue.

Patches

1)After the game is done downloading it wouldn't open at all for me, even as administrator. The first step is to download and install the first patch found on    http://aok.heavengames.com/blacksmith/showfile.php?fileid=11438   . Click the download button in red stating "Download file".

2)Once you have installed this, install the second patch found on    http://userpatch.aiscripters.net/   . I checked everything in the options given. A device such as WinRAR might be needed to open these files.

YOU MUST install the patches in the order given!!! -installing these patches in order should also fix the "empty error message with a red X" if you are experiencing this.

Compatibility

After the patches have been installed, right click the AOE II desktop icon (the one that shows up after installing the game), go to properties, and then compatibility. I have, "Run this program in compatibility mode for" : Windows XP (Service pack 2) enabled. I also have "Run this program as administrator" enabled. Click APPLY and OK. I did not reduce the color mode as it did not comply with my PC (it made the game look weird... do not change the resolution either.) The game should open now. It should start off in a small screen. You may change the screen size in the options located in the menu. Please note that once you click play, the game will automatically go to the screen option chosen (full screen for me on 1600x900). -you may play around with the compatibility options in order to suit your PC's needs-.

Please feel free to ask any questions relating this problem, sincerely Astefan Jamil.