: Run DXSETUP.exe to ensure legacy libraries are present.
Third-party antivirus programs and Windows Defender frequently flag repack cracks ( steam_api.dll ) as false positives. Disable real-time protection before extracting or installing.
: Install all versions from 2005 to the present (both x86 and x64 variations).
If you already own a legal copy on Steam or Epic, you can convert it into a repack-like working version: