To get the executables (EXE) files to work under Windows 2000 and Windows XP, we're going to use a feature of Windows 2000 SP2 and Windows XP called "compatibility mode". Windows XP users have this feature enabled by default, but users of Windows 2000 (and only users of Windows 2000) must first install at least Service Pack 2 (SP4 is the latest). Once you've installed SP2,SP3 or SP4, you must then perform the following, as detailed in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 279792.
1. Make sure you are logged on to Windows 2000 as a user with Administrative privileges (or as the Administrator account itself). If yours is the only account on the system then it's probably an administrator account. Administrators accounts can make any changes in the control panel, so if you can do that then you're an administrator.
2. Open the start menu and click on "Run..."
3. Type: regsvr32 %systemroot%\apppatch\slayerui.dll
4. Hit Run (or press enter)
That's it. Now you have compatibility modes available to you, so move on to the next section.
NOTE: This guide is for the Windows Version of Both C&C and Red Alert - I am providing no support for the DOS versions whatsoever. NB: The Gold Version of C&C is just simply the Windows Version (aka C&C95) of C&C. There are no special features in the game other then the Internet play.
For The DOS Version, you may want to check out - http://www.planetcnc.com/cnc2sw/dos_xp.html
Installation and Playing - C&C
Installation
1. Insert either C&C95 disk into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Close the Command & Conquer Windows 95 Edition CD-ROM Autoplay window that appears (if Autoplay is turned on)
3. Click on the Start button at the bottom Left Of Your screen, and then click on My Computer
4. In the My Computer window, right-click on the C&C95 CD-ROM icon (labeled GDI95 or NOD95) and select Open.
5. In the CD-ROM window, right-click on the Autorun icon, and select Properties.
6. On the Autorun Properties window, click on the Compatibility tab.
7. On the Compatibility tab, make sure the "Run this program in compatibility mode" check box is selected, and that Windows 95 is selected in the drop down box.
8. Click OK.
9. Double-click the Autorun.exe icon to start the setup process. This will start the Command & Conquer Windows 95 Edition CD-ROM Autoplay Program.
10. Select the Install C&C:Win95 button, this will start the installation process.
11. On the Select Components screen, unselect the DirectX audio and video drivers (recommended) option. You do not need to install DirectX on Windows XP.
12. Follow the remainder of the steps until you reach the Install Westwood Online Program. It is important to install this component now if you plan to play C&C95 on the Internet.
13. When installation of all components is complete, select "I will restart my computer later", then click Finish.
14. Installation is now complete.
Playing
1. Click on the Start button at the bottom Left of your screen, then click All Programs.
2. Click on the Westwood entry in the list that appears, then click on Command & Conquer 95.
3. Right-click on Command & Conquer Windows 95 Edition and select Properties.
4. Click on the Compatibility tab, and make sure the "Run this program in compatibility mode" check box is selected, and that Windows 95 appears in the drop down box.
5. Click OK.
6. Click on the Start button at the bottom Left Of Your screen, then click All Programs.
7. Click on the Westwood entry in the list that appears, then click on Westwood Chat.
8. Right-click on Westwood Chat and select Properties.
9. Click on the Compatibility tab, and make sure the "Run this program in compatibility mode" check box is selected, and that Windows 95 appears in the drop down down box.
10. Click OK.
11. In order to run C&C95 you will need the Latest product update. This will happen automatically if you connect to the Westwood Online service by running the Westwood Chat application, and then following the instructions contained in the manual to play a game. However it is possible (I haven't checked though) that Westwood online is not longer running, so alternatively, you can update your game without the use of Westwood chat by downloading the XP patch.
The Windows XP Patch can be found here:
ftp://ftp.westwood.com/pub/ccgold/CCGOLDXPPATCH.ZIP
Unfortunately, LAN play is disabled. There is no way to enable LAN play at all. The number one reason is due to the fact that the IPX protocol was re-written in Windows XP/2000, and is now incompatible with C&C. C&C uses a different layer of the IPX protocol to play multiplayer over a network. This layer is no longer used and was phased out of the IPX protocol. Your best bet would be to find a program that can emulate the Westwood online server locally, and play across that. I have no idea if such a thing exists though. There may also be other ways to play across IPX, but that would mean you don't apply the patch, and therefore can't run the game in Windows XP or 2000.
To install the Covert Operations, you will need to have installed C&C95 into its default location, or one that is similar to its default location, or the DOS based setup program will not be able to locate your installation due to its limited ability to read long directory names.