Download Desperate Housewives: The Game (Windows)

Arpine 2024-09-05 2 points

For error saving problem. I found out it only occure if you installed on default folder (C:\Program Files....), I dont know if it installed on other folder but still on drive C this problem persist. But I've tried to install it on drive D:\Games and the games could saved successfully.

SELINA 2024-08-21 0 point

@WILLIAM I didn't mention it in my post but my issue was exactly that one, the opening and instantly closed window error. I'm sure you're doing it right but maybe try again? The thing that solved the problem for me was definitely running the PATCH first and then overwriting the .exe, I spent two hours doing both things "at the same time" and it was an instant crash every single time. I think (in my case) that this occurs when you try to run de new .exe before patching the game. Maybe try different links to the PATCH and NOCD content? Sorry if nothing works anyway :(

william 2024-08-20 1 point

i've been at this on and off for months and with selina's post of everything on this chat log, this is the farthest i've gotten. i have everything but the only issue is it opens and closes immediately. there's people that have said this and nobody said anything about it and all i wanna do is just play this game lol. i've done the steps like 3 times, the game is in my folder and there is absolutely nothing that will fix the opening and closing issue.

SELINA 2024-08-16 4 points

I just spent three hours trying to install and run this and it was a nightmare BUT it works. I'm going to repeat most things that ALICE, PEAACHED, SCOMO, LILI and PINNACLE OF VIRTUE said but specifying the order and paths of the things I've done. Credits to all of them!

1. Download and install Daemon Tools Lite to mount the images.
2. Download the game file linked here and extract the folder.
3. Double click on DH Disk1.mdf in the Desperate Housewives Disk Images folder and Disk 1 will mount.
4. Double click on DH Disk2.bin and Disk 2 will mount.
5. Run the setup.exe from Disk 1. I chose the first instalation option, the "default" configuration. It should install a bit and ask you to choose Disk 2. Browse on your computer and find the drive that mounted image 2.
6. Setup should proceed and finish. Choose to never register and not to launch the game.
7. Download both the NOCD and PATCH folders linked here and extract both.
8. Copy the PATCH content into the game folder, my path is C:/Program Files (x86)/Buena Vista Games/Desperate Housewives. It's NOT the folder that contains three shortcuts that the installer opens, it's the one with all the game files and folders.
9. Run the patch and it will update the game to 1.4 fixing some issues. It's important doing this BEFORE overwrite the .exe, we're going to do that now. It will show the error ALICE said if you do it after:
"Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was found. No update done since file contents do not match."
10. Then, copy the NOCD content in the same game folder (C:/Program Files (x86)/Buena Vista Games/Desperate Housewives) and overwrite the DesperateHousewives.exe with the new one. I also pasted the other file.
11. Right click on the DesperateHousewives.exe, Properties, Compatibility tab, enable the Compatibility mode and set it to Windows XP (Service Pack 3).
12. I also unchecked the read only select in properties for most of the folders, but I don't really now if that made anything work.
13. Run the DesperateHousewives.exe or the shortcut as an Administrator.

I think that the most important thing for me was to overwrite the DesperateHousewives.exe AFTER patching the game, I didn't need to mount a SCSI drive and everything worked with the links and files provided here.

For the saves to work I did as the following:
1. Run the game, create a family and begin the tutorial. Remember the last name you've given to your family. As soon as the game let you click on the option to exit to desktop, do it.
2. Press Windows key + R.
3. Write %AppData% and click Accept. The path should be C:\Users\[your_user]\AppData\Roaming.
4. Find a folder there called Desperate Housewives and if it's not there, create it. Double click that folder.
5. There should be four folders there, if they're not, create them. The names are: Saves, Coupons, Photos and Profiles.
6. Inside the Profiles and the Saves folders should be a folder called as the last name of your family. If they're not there, create them, one on each folder.

This is what worked for me and I hope it works for you too! Happy gaming my Wisteria Lane friends! :)

Alice 2024-08-06 1 point

Update on my last message!!

I did a clean re-install and it worked. It originally installed it on my E: drive, and now I put it on C:, though I'm not sure that's what made the difference.

Alice 2024-08-06 1 point

Trying to get this game to work!

I managed to install it, but the 1.4 patch updater doesn't work. It says:
"Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was
found. No update done since file contents do not
match."

I've also tried the no-CD patch, but that only opens up the splash screen and then closes it immediately.

peaached 2024-05-15 2 points

ADDITIONALLY- TO SAVE GAME:
Shoutout to this reddit thread https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/wwfwyj/comment/ilkvffa/ for helping out! Once the game is successfully running, create a family with the desired last name, and then quit without saving. Next, use Win+R and type %appdata% and hit enter. Here, I personally had to create a Desperate Housewives folder, but if you have one you can use that. It does not matter that there are no game files in it. In THIS folder, add the additional folders mentioned in the reddit thread (Profiles, Saves, Photos, and Coupons). Then, create another new folder in Saves, titled the last name you chose for your family originally. You should be able to save upon creating a NEW family using that last name.

peaached 2024-05-15 4 points

Anyone who is trying to use this on a Windows 11 and struggling with the game opening for a second and closing:
I had to follow BOTH instructions by SCOMO and LILI (I followed the comment by HOTGIRLSHIT). Follow all of SCOMO's instructions- including downloading the gamepressure desperate housewives 1.4 patch and pasting that directly into the folder with DesperateHousewives.exe (as stated in original comment) (as is, not replacing anything). Run the .exe you just pasted and allow it to patch. Next, follow LILI's instructions and download the file they provided from MediaFire. REPLACE the original DesperateHousewives.exe file with LILI's file. The game should run when doubled-clicked as normal.

pretz 2024-05-02 0 point

@STARDUSSTIE you have to extract with 7zip or another extraction service instead of windows! hope this helps

H44rmz 2024-04-21 2 points

I've been following hotgirlshit's steps but once I have to replace the DespreteHousewives.exe it won't let me. Did anyone else have this problem?

laorill 2024-03-07 1 point

The tutorial by HotGirlShit worked perfectly, both of the patches mentioned are on this site, so it's super easy to download.

stardusstie 2024-02-19 2 points

I followed all of the instructions, but when I get to Lili's step where I extract the No-CD patch, I receive an error message that won't let me copy the files into my game folder. It says Error 0x80070005: Access is denied. Please help, what do I do??

buffy 2024-01-21 2 points

I still dream of playing this game Lool

BWafffles 2024-01-13 3 points

"Please insert the original disc instead of a backup (1000)."
I did everything and this shows up. The "NoCD" patch does not work. When you click on it, it flashes then disappears. Been trying and trying... maybe i'm not cut out to sleep with other wives' husbands and slap bitches rip lol

shadow 2023-11-12 0 point

Hi i hope we can be frinds please its my first time

bamaou 2023-10-07 2 points

The game crash in 0.5 second.... how can i do ?...

vdogz 2023-09-26 0 point

i was able to install it but i cant see any crack folders :( what am i doing wrong? help

buffy 2023-09-25 2 points

has anyone figured it out yet?

GAVIN 2023-09-25 1 point

Hi does this work

Dawn 2023-09-24 1 point

Natalia, did you get and paste the patch file from hotgirlshits link?

buffy 2023-09-24 0 point

im having the same problem as natalia and the others i cant make it work fvgbhnj pls help

Natalia 2023-09-24 1 point

Whenever I try to run the application it shows me a message saying "lease insert the original disc instead of a backup (1000)." I don't know how to fix this and why it is happening. Any answers?

Dawn 2023-09-22 2 points

I have the the same issue as HIGHERX and NITAREBEL, I've followed the steps and everything went fine but when I run the game it only opens for 1 second then immediatelly closes. Anyone found a solution yet?

Nitarebel 2023-09-14 2 points

game crashes as soon as I open it can't get pass the loading screen. I have uninstalled and reinstalled multiple time

bella 2023-06-02 4 points

am i the only one having the problem that it won't save once i start the game? If you did, how did you fix that?

cici 2023-03-28 1 point

i tried pressing on the link that LILI gave but whenever i do, it just says " sorry, the file you requested does not exist. " does anyone know what to do??

SugarPie 2023-03-26 2 points

LILI the link doesn't work anymore, can anyone help?

Game_Erica 2023-02-10 2 points

Idk if many people still check these comments, but I was wondering if anyone knows how to get the saving to work? I followed what Scomo said and it worked well, the game does run, but when I try to save it just gives me a message saying "An error occurred - the game was not saved". Because of this, the game kept changing my family models to the default ones and forgot my names entirely, they're just spaces. This might have something to do with there being no folder for the game in %appdata% but I have no idea how to fix this

Shyness Clinic 2023-01-30 0 point

HigherX, maybe go through the game's folders, uncheck read-only and run the game as administrator. I really need to test this one again. It's rather buggy.

higherx 2023-01-27 0 point

I was able to make it work and play in november, however after reinstalling i am experiencing the issue of it closing when you click on the .exe. Also, does anyone know how to fix it so your character and family don't get reset when you start actually playing?

Rah 2023-01-24 4 points

I am having the same issue as Jude. I made sure to follow instructions and install it into the right folder.. so im not sure what the issue may be

Alek 2023-01-04 2 points

Thank you to SCOMO and LILI!!!
Ive put both their steps in this comment to avoid any confusion. Just follow as it is pasted.

SCOMO:
"Here is how I got this game to install.
Download the file linked here and extract the archive.
Download and install Daemon Tools Lite.
Double click on DH Disk1.mdf in the Desperate Housewives Disk Images folder (that you extracted)
Disk 1 will mount to a new drive letter.
Double click on DH Disk2.bin and Disk 2 will mount to a new drive letter.
Run the setup.exe from Disk 1. It should install a bit and ask you to choose Disk 2. Browse on your computer and find the drive that mounted image 2.
Setup should proceed and finish. Choose to never register and not to launch the game."

Once the game is installed and you launch it for the first time you will most likely get an error telling you to put the original disk in. This is where you now follow LILI'S steps below.

LILI:
"I found a fixed version of the No-CD patch. Just follow SCOMO's instructions up until the "gameburnworld desperate housewives 1.4" and instead of downloading gameburnworld's patch, download my patch here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w6dc6-Tt2pwCyV7zdBAYxz6dqBRGgTKK/view?usp=sharing

Then unzip it and paste it in your game folder replacing 'DesperateHousewives.exe'. After, just run it and the game should work fine."

harsh 2022-12-24 -2 points

Following scomo and lili worked, thank you both! The game works if you follow Lili's instructions. However, does anyone know how to save the game?

It won't let you save and I'm not sure I can play it all in one go and do it continuously/leave my laptop on.

grxce 2022-12-17 -1 point

it keeps switching saying that it will take 30 mins then it will take 7 days to download, how do I download it quicker?

gumikyuu 2022-09-27 0 point

so hi guys I got this working by follow scomo's comment and followed also the comment by syd which made the game work, I didn't use the patches scomo provided but I used the one on this websites so try and follow scomo's comment and if confused to why crashing follow syd's comment.

Lili 2022-08-08 4 points

I found a fixed version of the No-CD patch. Just follow SCOMO's instructions up until the "gameburnworld desperate housewives 1.4" and instead of downloading gameburnworld's patch, download my patch here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w6dc6-Tt2pwCyV7zdBAYxz6dqBRGgTKK/view?usp=sharing

Then unzip it and paste it in your game folder replacing 'DesperateHousewives.exe'. After, just run it and the game should work fine.

syd 2022-08-02 2 points

found a fix for the instant crash on scomo's. for the instant crash youre probably installing it to the wrong folder (the one with the shortcut and not the exe). follow their instructions and then when the game opens a folder with the 4 shortcuts (i forgot what they were, but it opens), dont drag the patch into that folder. instead, go to the actual program files folder where the .exe is (directory would be my pc/programfiles(x86)/bueno vista games/desperate housewives). then drag all of the patches into that one, as it actually holds the exe application and not just the shortcut. hope this fixes it.

Melancholist 2022-07-28 0 point

Followed SCOMO's instruction and the game crashes at launch

Melancholist 2022-07-28 1 point

I have the same problem as Mish. Someone please help !

Mish 2022-07-27 0 point

I followed SCOMO guide and can't get it to work, I click play and it just shuts down. Anyone have any fixes?

kari 2022-07-22 0 point

i really want this game, but like i don't understand how to install it... super confusing and i tried following instructions from the comments but yeah can't do it

ScoMo 2022-06-08 3 points

Here is how I got this game to install.
Download the file linked here and extract the archive.
Download and install Daemon Tools Lite.
Double click on DH Disk1.mdf in the Desperate Housewives Disk Images folder (that you extracted)
Disk 1 will mount to a new drive letter.
Double click on DH Disk2.bin and Disk 2 will mount to a new drive letter.
Run the setup.exe from Disk 1. It should install a bit and ask you to choose Disk 2. Browse on your computer and find the drive that mounted image 2.
Setup should proceed and finish. Choose to never register and not to launch the game.
Search google for - gamepressure desperate housewives 1.4 patch - and go to gamepressure to download it.
Extract the patch and paste it in the Desperate Housewives folder you install (where the installed program DesperateHousewives.exe is located, probably Program Files (x86)\Desperate Housewives).
Run the patch and it will update the game to 1.4 fixing some issues.
If you run the game now it will still nag you about locating the CD and warn that you must have the original copy. The Daemon Tools images downloaded here will not work.
Search google for - gameburnworld desperate housewives 1.4
This will find a site that has a no cd patch for 1.4.
Download DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: THE GAME v1.4 [US] FIXED EXE (3.25MB) or maybe the other file if you aren't in the US.
In your game folder with exe rename the exe game file to something like DesperateHousewives-backup.exe to be safe.
Paste the patched DesperateHousewives.exe from gameburnworld into the game directory.
Launch it and profit!

mya 2022-04-30 1 point

how do you get it to run? i have the file and everything but then i get a pop up saying i need to insert the original disc instead of a backup

The common man 2022-03-15 1 point

how to play this its really a nightmare

lexy 2021-12-30 -1 point

I love this game I hope this works for windows 11...

Criken Made Me Do This 2021-08-23 1 point

This was a nightmare to SetUp as I kept getting an original dics error but PINNACLE OF VIRTUE's advice in the comments worked, Thank you~ Must mount as a SCSI this finally prevented the error but nothing seemed to happen. I genuinely walked away from my computer for my sanity when 10 minutes later I heard the theme music. Played in one play through because I was too afraid to start it up again.

That being said I had a lot of fun. It had all the nostalgic vibes of Sims 2 with the well fleshed out ridiculous story line we always wanted the sims to explore further. I only have passing memories of the show from when I was a kid but interacting with the characters was really fun. Weird trip down memory lane.

mehdi 2021-07-24 -4 points

Hey guys

how did some of you guys manage to CRACK the game and play it ? It won't tell the instructions on Readme or on this website :/

slooshii 2021-06-07 1 point

keeps asking me to insert disc 2 :-(

Alysswed 2021-05-09 -1 point

I'm not getting this Daemon tools, and the option to mount doesn't show up... sucks, same thing for oldgamesdownload. At least they have directions, unlike you guys... but still it doesn't work either way

Tox 2021-02-11 0 point

This must be a joke for sure. Right??!

malak 2021-01-22 -2 points

i cant seem to find the option to mount. What do i do?

Mordius 2020-07-21 4 points

How do you mount the disks?

p4ig333 2020-05-10 -1 point

Does this work on macbook?

Lunamitza 2020-04-28 2 points

Having same issue asking for original disk :(

AegonsConquest 2020-04-11 2 points

I Managed to fix the other problem I was having but Now its saying put the original disc instead of a backup disk.. great just when i fixed my other issue

AegonsConquest 2020-04-11 0 point

I keep getting an error with a cabinet file and because its a cabinet file I cannot fix it with compatibility- this is with disk 2.

Big Sis advice 2019-08-26 2 points

dunno anything about this game but looks good

Mikey's 2019-08-16 2 points

I couldn't get it to work, it asked for disk 1 repeatedly, even after I mounted disk 1 :( help please?

Bogo 2019-08-13 -5 points

I diddled the neighbors wife while the husband slept through it.

martin 2019-08-13 1 point

even the them is similer

Retro Pixel Lizard 2019-08-11 2 points

The Sims, but they speak English, with dialog, you can walk around the neighborhood, commit adultery, unleash your inner psychopath, burglarize your neighbors and watch them in their sleep.

Worth a try if you liked the Sims at some point in your life.

bigboye200000000000000000000000000 2019-08-07 -4 points

now you tell me this isnt a sims clone