How to install ZTCC on Windows 10 Pro

[HeatherL]

My computer crashed a couple of weeks ago and I just got it back. Of course, I can't find my ZT discs. So I thought I'd just install the handy file available here. 

 

No such luck. 

 

I tried watching the installation video but I can barely make it out. When I try to copy what she's doing, I get different results for the same action.

 

 

[Fern]

Microsoft broke disc loading with 10 and 11. You need a hack. There are some here who know more about that than I do. Try Goosifer.

[Goosifer]

I wrote a tool that makes it easy to load the ISO files in one click, but man it's just not working on other computers but mine at the moment....

 

Windows 10 and 11 can mount the ISO files by default. For ZTCC there's usually two ISO files, a Disk 1 and Disk 2. Assuming you already have the game installed, you can just double click on Disk 2. It'll be like you're opening a folder on your computer. Once it opens and you see files, usually SETUP.EXE or something like that, you can close the window. The ISO file is now mounted and you can run your game by either launching it using the new drive mounted on your PC that says MARINE MANIA, or run zoo.exe. You'll have to do this every time you reboot your computer, but only once per session at the computer.

 

If you need to install ZTCC, then open Disk 1 first, run SETUP.EXE, let the installer do its thing, then open Disk 2 and do the same. Now you can do the above moving forward. This goes without saying: don't delete your ISO files and keep them somewhere safe. They're virtual CDs and you'll need to open Disk 2 every time so they computer can run the game.

 

If you're on Discord and comfortable with it, happy to screen share and show how I do it. I promise it's easier than it sounds.

[HeatherL]

I purchased a physical copy of the game from Amazon. It's clearly labelled Complete Collection, but there is only one disc and no indication that there should be more in the case. Did MS ever produce a version with only one disc?

 

Nothing happens when I put the disc into the disc drive. There are no pops up that say something like "Do you want this program to make changes to your computer". Nothing.

 

I have no idea what an ISO file is. I have no idea how to share a screen. Discord always seems like discordant chaos that I can't make heads or tails of.

 

Pretend you're talking to a Gen X that is proud to have mastered copy & paste.

 

One of the suggestions online was to go to File Explorer, click This PC, right-click on Your CD Drive...

 

But, there is no Your CD Drive to click on.

 

I'm sorry. I'm getting really frustrated and now my SO is hiding with the dogs in the bedroom. 

[Fern]

You will need to copy and paste from the disc. This is what I meant when I said that microsoft has broken it. They have basically broken any game that used to load from a disc.

I don't use the iso way

Try this file that Jan uploaded

There is also hack available too.

[HeatherL]

I tried the above file. I get different results when I click on the same same things she did in the instruction video.

What is the hack?

[Fern]

Send a pm to Savannahjan and ask her about it. She is where I got mine from. I think you need the files installed for it to work.

[Goosifer]

On 9/5/2025 at 9:12 PM, HeatherL said:

I purchased a physical copy of the game from Amazon. It's clearly labelled Complete Collection, but there is only one disc and no indication that there should be more in the case. Did MS ever produce a version with only one disc?

 

Nothing happens when I put the disc into the disc drive. There are no pops up that say something like "Do you want this program to make changes to your computer". Nothing.

 

I have no idea what an ISO file is. I have no idea how to share a screen. Discord always seems like discordant chaos that I can't make heads or tails of.

 

Pretend you're talking to a Gen X that is proud to have mastered copy & paste.

 

One of the suggestions online was to go to File Explorer, click This PC, right-click on Your CD Drive...

 

But, there is no Your CD Drive to click on.

 

I'm sorry. I'm getting really frustrated and now my SO is hiding with the dogs in the bedroom. 

 

I made the assumption that you were working with the CC files ZooTek hosts, my bad. If you download those, they are ISO files. ISO files are what you get when you make a digital copy of a CD. They can be "mounted" virtually so they run like normal CDs. My previous comment explains how to do that.

 

Anyway sounds like driver issues; if you have a CD Rom drive it should do as you say. I've never had a problem with disk drives on Win10/Win11. I can try recording a narrated video some time this week and message it to you. I'll include several ways I've run the game.

[HeatherL]

That would be nice, and I appreciate your help.

 

I tried both the files hosted here, a new physical copy, and found my old disks & tried those, too. 

 

I think you're right and something was removed when my computer was repaired last week. Even though I did find a Windows disk in the slot, so I assume at least that was recognized by the machine.