Troubleshooting Simcity 4 Crashes in Windows 10

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SimCity 4, released by Electronic Arts in 2003, was once an exciting urban planning simulation game. However, many players still encounter issues running the title on modern operating systems like Windows 10.

In this article, we will focus specifically on resolving Simcity 4 crashing problems that may occur when trying to launch or play the game on your Windows 10 machine.

Reasons Behind SimCity 4 Crashes

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1. Incompatible System Requirements:

- Outdated graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues with newer operating systems.

- Insufficient RAM (512 MB recommended for basic operation) might also lead to crashes.

2. Corrupted Game Files or Installation Issues:

3. Conflicting Programs and Processes:

Malfunctioning background programs, startup items, or processes could potentially interfere with SimCity 4's performance.

Troubleshooting Steps

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### Step 1: Update Graphics Drivers

Ensure that your graphics card drivers are up-to-date to avoid compatibility issues.

- Go to Device Manager (Press Windows + X and select 'Device Manager')

- Double-click on Display Adapters or Sound, video and game controllers depending upon your system architecture (32-bit/64-bit)

- Right click on the dedicated graphic driver

- Select Update Driver

### Step 2: Check for Updates in Steam Client (if applicable)

If you're using a digital copy of SimCity 4 from Valve's popular client platform - Steam, it is recommended to check for any available updates.

1. Launch Steam by double-clicking on its desktop icon or searching 'Steam' in the Start menu

2. Once logged into your account, click on Library at the top navigation bar

### Step 3: Run System File Checker (sfc) and DISM Commands as Administrator

These commands can help identify and repair any corrupted system files that might be causing issues with SimCity 4:

- Press Windows + X to open the Start menu

- Right-click on 'Command Prompt' or type cmd in Search bar, then right click and select Run as administrator

- Type sfc /scannow followed by Enter key press

### Step 4: Uninstall and Reinstall Simcity 4

If none of the above steps resolve your problem, it might be worth trying a fresh installation:

1. Press Windows + X to open the Start menu

2. Right-click on 'Apps & Features' or type 'Uninstall' in Search bar

3. Locate SimCity 4 and click Unpin from taskbar at top right corner then select Unistall

### Step 5: Disable Startup Items and Background Programs (Optional)

If you still encounter crashes after attempting the above steps, try disabling any non-essential startup items or background programs to see if it resolves your issue:

1. Press Windows + R keys simultaneously

2. Type 'msconfig' in Run dialog box then press Enter key once

3. In Startup tab uncheck all boxes beside applications you don't need running at system start-up

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SimCity 4 was a classic game back in its time, but compatibility issues can still arise when trying to run it on modern operating systems like Windows 10. By following these simple troubleshooting steps outlined above - updating graphics drivers, checking for updates via Steam (if applicable), running System File Checker and DISM commands as administrator, uninstalling and reinstalling SimCity 4 altogether, or even disabling unnecessary startup items/programs - you should be able to enjoy hours of urban planning fun without any further crashes!

Simcity 4 crashing windows 10