Downloads Hub
Here you will find downloadable resources for Close Combat.
Unless otherwise stated, none apply to any Steam releases.
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README – Close Combat I Trial/Demo
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1. Overview
- Developed by Atomic Games for Windows 95.
- Runs on Windows 11 with adjustments.
2. Installation
- Installer runs without compatibility settings.
- After installation, set program compatibility mode to Windows 95
(may also work with 98 or XP).
3. Compatibility Notes
- Reduced colour mode (8-bit / 256 colours) recommended.
- Sound issues: crashes on modern systems. Works if sound is disabled.
- May work with legacy sound adapters (e.g. SoundBlaster 16).
- Virtual Machine (Oracle VirtualBox) tested with Win95/98/XP:
- Sound works with SB16 audio.
- Mouse pointer may disappear during gameplay (still functional).
4. Credits
Author: Atomic Games
Curated by: vonB
Contact: vonb@thewizard.org
Website: vonb.thewizard.org
Release date: 15/12/2025
5. Checksums for cctrial.EXE
SHA‑256: DF3759A8E5CEBEABE47283F1A5C00ED8A0A6F7C09F839C822E4C3BD8CAB592A8
MD5: 95DF8FC160D40F2B84ADA3702133F47E
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End of README
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README – Close Combat II A Bridge Too Far Trial/Demo
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1. Overview
- Developed by Atomic Games.
- Runs on Windows 11 with adjustments.
2. Installation
- Recommend Windows XP Compatibility Setting for Installer.
(Tested in this configuration)
3. Compatibility Notes
- Recommend Windows XP Compatibility Setting for Game.
(Tested in this configuration)
4. Credits
Author: Atomic Games
Curated by: vonB
Contact: vonb@thewizard.org
Website: vonb.thewizard.org
Release date: 22/12/2025
5. Checksums for MSABTF.EXE
SHA‑256: 51A5400BBE9545ECD8718EA3FB0AB6CD2036AD6FFDE73B811894FA2A6F7639D6
MD5: 355DC6FD13403C7DB2C16A1CFA5AAA21
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End of README
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README – Close Combat III The Russian Front Trial/Demo
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1. Overview
- Developed by Atomic Games.
- Runs on Windows 11 with adjustments.
2. Installation
- Recommend Windows 98 Compatibility Mode for the installer.
(Tested in this configuration)
3. Compatibility Notes
- Recommend Windows 98 Compatibility Mode for the game.
(Tested in this configuration)
4. Credits
Author: Atomic Games
Curated by: vonB
Contact: vonb@thewizard.org
Website: vonb.thewizard.org
Release date: 22/12/2025
5. Checksums for mscc3.exe:
SHA‑256: ED94179E26C603B5F881902D7B5AEDA689071C24CFAA8564927FFE8A5F75386C
MD5: 0CF2B123087D6800904C8F09660E4873
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End of README
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README – Close Combat III Update cc30b.exe
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1. Overview
- Official update developed by Atomic Games and
released by Microsoft for Close Combat III:
The Russian Front.
2. Installation
- Applies only to Legacy installations of
Close Combat III: The Russian Front.
- Requires an original Microsoft Retail installation.
3. Compatibility Notes
- No known issues. Originally released for
Windows 95/98.
- Tested on Windows XP without Compatibility Mode.
4. Credits
Author: Atomic Games
Curated by: vonB
Contact: vonb@thewizard.org
Website: vonb.thewizard.org
Release date: 31/12/2025
5. Comments
- This modifies the Close Combat III executable:
cc3.exe
File Version 3.98.12.902
Product Version 3.0
If your version of CC3.exe is:
File Version 3.99.3.3001
Product Version 3.0b
The update is already installed.
*** This does NOT update Cross of Iron! That
requires its own update installer. ***
Other releases such as GOG already have this
update. The Steam release is a different and
more recent development. Any updates will be
managed through Steam.
6. Checksums for cc30b.exe:
SHA‑256: 880E3CE7E76A15216F602D523BFA53481E8E6A0208E175FFE1FA7BA3E6E141D7
MD5: EEF91742FF3E6532EC1EEB1A8A6007CD
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End of README
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Overview:
This package provides a modern ddraw.dll wrapper to restore compatibility for Close Combat III on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The game relies on an early DirectDraw system that modern versions of Windows no longer support reliably, which can cause it to fail to launch, display incorrectly, or suffer from severe graphical issues.
This wrapper replaces the original DirectDraw interface with a modern, actively maintained implementation, allowing Close Combat III to run smoothly on current systems.
It has been tested and confirmed working on my own Windows 11 setup.
Included Files:
- ddraw.dll – the DirectDraw compatibility wrapper
- ddraw.ini – preconfigured with essential settings for Close Combat III
- LICENSE.txt – MIT License for the cnc-ddraw project
Installation
- Download and extract the ZIP archive.
- Copy ddraw.dll and ddraw.ini into your Close Combat III installation folder (the same folder as the game’s executable).
- Launch the game normally.
No system files are modified. To remove the wrapper, simply delete the two files.
Why You Need This:
Close Combat III was designed for Windows 95/98-era DirectDraw.
Modern Windows versions no longer provide full support for that system, which often results in:
- the game refusing to start
- black screens or corrupted graphics
- flickering or incorrect colours
- unstable fullscreen behaviour
The included ddraw wrapper restores the missing functionality, making the game playable again on current hardware and operating systems.
Notes:
- The included ddraw.ini is tuned specifically for Close Combat III.
- You may edit the INI file to adjust scaling, filtering, windowed mode, and other behaviour.
- This wrapper is open‑source and released under the MIT License (included).
Troubleshooting:
If the game does not start or behaves unexpectedly:
- Ensure no other wrappers (dgVoodoo, WineD3D, etc.) are present in the game folder.
- Try running the game once as Administrator.
- Update your GPU drivers.
If problems persist, remove ddraw.dll and ddraw.ini to restore the original behaviour.
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Project Home Page:
For updates, source code, and the full cnc-ddraw package, visit:
https://github.com/FunkyFr3sh/cnc-ddraw
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Checksums for cc3-directdraw-fix.zip
SHA‑256 : 22D2304B8CA2432EA7DCD02964D10FAFCE2A3263A80CDD7668F2916D2BD14B1D
MD5 : B815C747B833173AC1AF4ED4DE0546D3
[Note: the extracted File CCIIICompatibilityUpdater.exe is 157MB]
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CC3 Compatibility Updater – Readme
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Before You Begin (Recommended)
• Place the updater inside your Close Combat III installation folder (the folder containing CC3.exe).
• Close all other applications.
• Ensure the game is not running.
• If using the Microsoft retail/ISO release, temporarily disable antivirus if it interferes with the patcher.
• If using the GOG release, ensure Galaxy is not updating the game in the background.
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Purpose:
This tool prepares Close Combat III: The Russian Front for reliable use on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The original 1999 game requires several compatibility adjustments to run correctly on modern systems.
The updater supports both:
• Microsoft retail/ISO release
• GOG release
Each release follows a different update path, described below.
Supported Releases & Behaviour:
Microsoft Retail/ISO Release
• Offers to apply the official Microsoft patch (cc30b.exe)
• Creates a backup (CC3.exe.bak)
• Applies Windows 98/ME compatibility mode to required executables
• Installs the DirectDraw wrapper
• Deploys the Readme and MIT license
GOG Release
• Detects the GOG installation automatically
• Skips patching
• Skips compatibility mode
• Installs the DirectDraw wrapper
• Deploys the Readme and MIT license
No changes are made to the GOG CC3.exe.
What This Updater Does:
For All Releases
• Verifies Windows 10/11
• Confirms the updater is in a valid CCIII installation
• Detects your CC3.exe version
• Installs the DirectDraw wrapper (ddraw.dll and ddraw.ini)
• Deploys the MIT license for the wrapper
• Writes a log file for transparency
Microsoft Release Only
• Offers to apply the official Microsoft patch
• Creates CC3.exe.bak
• Applies Windows 98/ME compatibility mode to cc30b.exe and uninstal.exe
GOG Release Only
• Skips patching
• Skips compatibility mode
• No backup is created
Why Administrator Permission Is Required:
The updater must write files into the game directory and apply compatibility settings to executables.
Windows requires elevated rights for these actions.
The Official Microsoft Patch (cc30b.exe):
This is the final patch released for Close Combat III.
Re-applying it is safe.
The updater extracts and runs it automatically if you choose.
It is not required for the GOG release and will be skipped.
If your Microsoft installation is already patched, re-patching will not harm it.
Windows 98 Compatibility Mode (Microsoft Release Only):
The patcher and uninstaller require Windows 98/ME compatibility mode to run correctly on modern systems.
The updater applies this automatically.
DirectDraw Wrapper (All Releases):
Close Combat III uses an early DirectDraw implementation that is no longer supported by Windows 10/11.
Without a wrapper, the game may fail to launch or crash immediately.
The updater installs a modern DirectDraw compatibility wrapper:
• ddraw.dll
• ddraw.ini
This wrapper is safe, reversible, and required for most modern systems.
Backup Information (Microsoft Release Only):
If the Microsoft patch is applied, the updater creates:
CC3.exe.bak
This is your original executable.
To restore it, delete CC3.exe and rename CC3.exe.bak to CC3.exe.
GOG users will not see this file.
Log File:
A log is written to:
%LocalAppData%\CCIIICompatibilityUpdater\update.log
• Used for troubleshooting
• Can be safely deleted at any time
• If deleted, a new log will be created automatically when the updater runs again
Uninstalling or Reverting Changes:
Remove the DirectDraw Wrapper:
Delete the following files from your CCIII folder:
- ddraw.dll
- ddraw.ini
Restore the Original CC3.exe (Microsoft Release Only)
- Delete CC3.exe
- Rename CC3.exe.bak to CC3.exe
Remove Compatibility Settings (Microsoft Release Only)
- Right-click the executable → Properties → Compatibility → uncheck compatibility mode.
- Remove the Updater
Simply delete the updater EXE and this Readme.
The updater does not install anything elsewhere on your system.
What This Updater Does Not Do:
• It does not modify game data or gameplay
• It does not install mods or unofficial patches
• It does not collect or transmit personal data
• It does not remain installed
• It does not create background services or scheduled tasks
It is a single-use tool.
Troubleshooting:
- Game will not launch
Ensure ddraw.dll and ddraw.ini are present.
- Updater says CC3.exe is missing
Place the updater directly inside your CCIII installation folder.
- Updater cannot write files
Run the updater as Administrator.
Files Deployed in the CCIII Installation Folder:
(depending on options selected)
- CC3.exe.bak – Backup of the original CC3.exe (Microsoft release only)
- CC3Updater_Readme.txt – This file
- cc30b.exe – Microsoft patch (Microsoft release only, if applied)
- DDRAW MIT License.txt – MIT license for the DirectDraw wrapper
- ddraw.dll – DirectDraw wrapper
- ddraw.ini – DirectDraw configuration
- CCIIICompatibilityUpdater.exe – The updater
- %LocalAppData%\CCIIICompatibilityUpdater\update.log - Log File
Files Safe to Delete After Updating (optional):
- CC3.exe.bak
- CC3Updater_Readme.txt
- cc30b.exe
- DDRAW MIT License.txt
- CCIIICompatibilityUpdater.exe
- %LocalAppData%\CCIIICompatibilityUpdater\update.log
Deleting these will not affect your game installation.
We recommend keeping the updater EXE only if you wish to re-run it later.
Compatibility:
Tested on:
• Microsoft retail CD/ISO release
• GOG release
• Windows 11 systems
Version & Author:
CCIII Compatibility Updater
Version 1.0
Created by vonB
Support & Contact:
For updates, troubleshooting notes, or other Close Combat tools, visit:
https://www.vonb.thewizard.org
Email:
vonb@thewizard.org
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Disclaimer
This updater is provided free of charge and without warranty.
All changes made by the updater are local to your Close Combat III installation and are fully reversible.
While the tool has been tested on both Microsoft and GOG releases, you use it at your own discretion.
The author cannot accept responsibility for any unexpected issues, data loss, or system problems arising from its use.
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Checksums for CCIIICompatibilityUpdater.zip: