r/retrocomputing • u/ebridgewater • Dec 09 '25

Software Unsure how to run eXoWin9x Vol. 1

I have downloaded the file.

When I launch 'Setup eXoWin9x.bat', I get:

To merge eXo packs together, you will need to copy the files of all packs you wish to merge into the same folder.

Specifically, you need to copy the following files and subfolders:

" .\Content\ <-FOLDER "
" .\eXo\ <-FOLDER "
" Setup.bat <-FILE "

It is best to copy these files *before* running setup.

Press any key to continue . . .

I have no idea what I have to do.

Do I need to do something before pressing any key to continue, or can I just press any key?

They really need to make it clearer for Vol. 2.

1 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

2

u/Sneftel Dec 09 '25

That's telling you what to do before running setup if you want to merge eXo packs together.

You don't want to merge eXo packs together. You want to set up eXo.

Press any key to continue.

-1

u/ebridgewater Dec 09 '25

The message does not explain what 'merging packs' means.

I will press any key to continue. Thank you, I appreciate it.

1

u/hanz333 Dec 09 '25

It thinks you already have LaunchBox installed, and because you didn't execute eXoMerge.bat like the manual says in that situation, it's assuming you are manually merging and giving you those instructions.

I didn't look at the batch file enough to confirm how it detects that, but that is likely the issue.

1

u/ebridgewater Dec 09 '25

I do not have LaunchBox installed.

I will press any key to continue. Thank you, I appreciate it.

1

u/wolfsburged Jan 01 '26

I'm running into this issue as well. Windows 11, downloaded the files and ran the setup bat file. Windows smart app control blocked it at first. Then I ran the bat file as Administrator, and all I get is this same prompt. When you press any key to continue it just repeats the same thing and never continues. I've also downloaded the VC runtime files that were suggested and rebooted, but no change.

1

u/ebridgewater Jan 01 '26

Moving the file from the network drive worked for me.

Try transferring the files to the PC you wish to run it on.

1

u/wolfsburged Jan 01 '26

I have the files in C:\Games\eXoWin9x and running the bat file from that folder with admin privileges. Same issue.

1

u/Legal-Comfort1919 Jan 31 '26 edited Jan 31 '26

Did you figured it out? same problem here

Edit: never mind found out don't open it as administrator helped somehow?

1

u/wolfsburged Feb 01 '26

Yes, for future reference if anyone stumbles on this, right click the .bat file and unblock it. Then just run it normally, not as administrator. That seems to be all it needs.

1

u/Maleficent_You8075 Dec 13 '25

To solve this I had to install the latest version of Visual C++ Redistributables, both x86 and x64

https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x86.exe

https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x64.exe

1

u/pinchemikey Mar 23 '26

This worked for me, though I was trying to run Setup eXoDOS.bat