Running SimCity 4 disc version on Windows 11

[ambi 2]

I recently found my old copy of SimCity 4 Deluxe edition on disk version, but whatever I do, it doesn't open, not even a black screen or anything. I tried to search online for fixes but none of them worked (including the Voodoo2 one). Is there a way to make the game run?

P.S. I tried contacting EA help to get a digital copy of the game, but they don't seem willing to give me one.

In case someone answers to this post, I also speak Italian.

[rsc204 21,866]

The Discs have not worked correctly since Windows 10 was released. MS removed the driver needed to validate the DRM for SC4 and a ton of other games too.

You might find this helpful to working around it:

https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/utility-breaks-the-shackles-of-safedisc-optical-disc-drm-for-retro-gamers-safediscshim-restores-playability-for-classic-pc-titles

Although I would caution anyone that the disc-based game will not be compatible with DLL modding. Given it’s $/£/€ 5 price when on sale, if this is important to you better to get the digital edition. 

[ambi 2]

Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't planning to mod the game so for the meantime I'll just use the workaround. In case the game goes on sale I'll consider buying it.

[Ulisse Wolf 4,461]

Because of the ongoing changes, the DVD version of SC4 as well as the MAC version of SC4 and the pirated versions of SC4 are no longer supported by the community due to Mod DLL incompatibilities and as a result you cannot install all the mods that improve stability and make it faster. 

My advice is to buy the digital version of SC4 and you can find it either at full price (GOG and Steam), or with discounts on GOG and Steam or you can use sti like Kinguin and G2A to buy SC4 key for 2 euro

[ambi 2]

Oh, I'll consider buying a key on G2A atp

[ambi 2]

I got the key and all seems to run fine, thanks a lot.

[RobertLM78 1,598]

Well, tried this method of getting it to run without success:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/play-games-safedisc-securerom-drm-windows-10/

Which is unfortunate because the GoG version is not an option..... I suppose now with a windows 11 machine I am not completely limited to WINE, so maybe there's another DRM-free option that'll work.

Edit: ^^^option #4 that is, as mentioned in the article, sorry forgot to mention that^^^