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We are investigating reports that new installs of Fallout 3 are failing due to Games for Windows Live not installing. When we have an update on this, we will update this article. If you would like to be notified of updates on this topic, please log into the website and select 'Subscribe to Article' on this page.

To resolve Fallout 3 performance issues on Windows 10, you should first ensure that you meet the game's minimum requirements and you have the latest NVIDIA or AMD graphics card drivers installed. It may prompt you to have Games for Windows Live installed. If it does, click here for a direct download from Microsoft. Alternately, if you own Fallout 3 through the Bethesda.net launcher, it will have GFWL installed along with it and may bypass the issue.
Note: Fallout 3 is not optimized for Windows 7 and later operating systems

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• Right-click on the Fallout: New Vegas launcher application found here: C: Program Files (x86) Steam steamapps common Fallout New Vegas (by default) or C: Steam Library steamapps common Fallout New Vegas. Select Troubleshoot Compatibility and choose Troubleshoot Program; Check the box that says The Program requires additional permissions.

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If you continue to experience issues, you can also try the following troubleshooting steps:

Check your Display Settings

Issues associated with launching and playing the game can often be resolved by changing the following display options:

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• Launch the game in Windowed Mode by selecting Options from the Fallout 3 Launcher and ticking the Windowed box under Mode.
• If using dual monitors, disable your second one from your Windows display settings.
• Ensure that the resolution of the game matches that of your display monitors by selecting Options from the Fallout 3 Launcher and selecting the correct resolution under Graphics Adapter and Resolution.

Run the Fallout 3 Executable as an Administrator
Note: If you are NOT an administrator on your computer, you will not have the Compatibility tab.

1. Go to your Fallout 3 install folder within Steam and locate the executable
   • Default location: C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonFallout 3 goty.
2. Right click the Fallout 3 application file and select Properties.
3. Select the Compatibility tab and tick the Run this program as an administrator box.
4. Select Apply and then OK.

Fallout Steam Key

Run Fallout 3 in Compatibility Mode - See images below for examples of what this looks like

Fallout Steam Cheats

1. Go to your Fallout 3 install folder within Steam.
   • Default location: C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonFallout 3 goty.
2. Right click theFallout 3 application file and select Properties.
3. Select the Compatibility Tab and check the box that says Run this program in compatibility mode for:
   • Check the drop down box and troubleshoot with different Windows versions.
     • Optionally, you can try compatibility with Windows XP SP3 .
4. Click Apply and OK.
5. Attempt to launch Fallout 3 to see if the error persists.
   • After setting it to run in Windows XP (Service Pack 3) you may receive an error 'Ordinal 43 could not be located in the dynamic link library c:windowssystem32xlive.dll' which is a message indicating you need Games for Windows Live. You will need to contact Microsoft for assistance in resolving this error with Games for Windows Live.
   • File Location & Properties

Compatibility Settings

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