Age of Empires II (2013)

Age of Empires II (2013)

202 ratings
[Tutorial] 4K support for AOE2 [MOD]
By xup6.yc
A mod that'll make the game play nice with 4K monitors, UI will be at proper size afterwards.
UPDATED: 04/23/2017 - New easier method found, credits to NoP
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What's the problem
Pretty sure you already know the problem if you entered this guide.
Basically, Age 2 doesn't scale once your screen resolution is pass 1920x1080

so it'll look like this (tiny ui's):
(photo credit to Jakob and/or [TDG] Katana)

but you want this:

Why am I sharing this? because the fixes I could find was inconvenient.
New Method
The new method is super easy, no need for extra programs or codes.
Disclaimer: this method only works after Windows 10 Creators Update (Version 1703)
If you're not on the Creators Update, the Old Method still works.

How to check which version you're on
  1. Windows key+r, type in "winver"

  2. Check which version is displayed

  3. As long as you're Version 1703 or higher, it should work
*If you're not on Windows 10 Version 1703 or higher, you can 1.Update or 2.use the old method

Using the new method
  1. Simply navigate to "SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Age2HD"
  2. Right click on "Launcher.exe", and click Properties
  3. Under compatibilities tab, check "Override high DPI scaling behavior"
  4. Set "Scaling performed by:" to "system" (Note: do not use "system (enhanced)", you won't be able to interact with the program if it's set to enhanced for some reason)
  5. Apply and OK, now it should be properly scaled

Credits to NoP for finding this method.
Old Method
Old method still works, but it's a bit more tedious, I highly reccomend you use the New Method if possible.
I'm still keeping the Old Method around for people that isn't on Windows 10 version 1703.

  1. Download a program like Restorator[www.bome.com], or Resource Hacker[www.angusj.com]
  2. Open "AoK HD.exe" and "launcher.exe" (optional, as it doesn't affect the actual game) in the program you downloaded (restorator, resource hacker, or any program that has the same function)
  3. Navigate to the manifest section, and edit them.
  4. Play game on 4K screen

Video Tutorial:
https://youtu.be/bb1ocbXYs7E
How does it work?
Basically you're forcing the UI to scale using the settings in windows. Usually you'd do this through external manifest, but for some reason, external manifest didn't work, so using the same idea, I edited the internal manifest.

Video on external manifest hack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M_7OQNM4CI

The new method does the same thing as the old method, except the new method is easier and takes advantage of the new features that comes with the Creators Update. Whereas the old method is done manually/forced.
TLDR
Just read and follow the New method.
If you're not on Windows 10 Version 1703, download the file below.

For those of you lazy people who can't be bothered read the whole thing or watch the tutorial video, download and extract this: Download modified files[drive.google.com] (downloading the files doesn't work anymore due to version changes, so edit the manifests on your own or update your windows)

88 Comments
DOOM'AS 18 Apr, 2024 @ 3:02pm 
Listen to the Rajinikanth go to Nvidia in integer scaling settings add resolution like 1920x1080 or different depending of your monitor. Then before playing change to that resolution and its works quite good. It does need changing resolution all the time tho
Rich 29 Dec, 2023 @ 9:56pm 
does not work
Capt. Commander Colonel 25 Mar, 2023 @ 5:10pm 
I havent been able to play this game for almost 6 years thank you so much !!!!!!!!!!!
buka pintu 14 Aug, 2022 @ 10:28pm 
if you have a fairly recent nvidia or AMD video card, just enable integer scaling and set your resolution to 1920x1080 and you'll get a 200% scale and super crisp visuals
thisideal 22 Jan, 2022 @ 5:00am 
Hello! This fixed the problem, but the cursor stays the same small, how can I fix that?
thisideal 22 Jan, 2022 @ 4:57am 
@lsvanderkroon

1. Open your steam library;
2. Find the game;
3. Right-click on the game
4. Select Properties;
5. In opened menu select "Local files";
6. Select "Browse local files";
7. In opened file explorer window look for the file.
Nature Sync 8 Nov, 2021 @ 11:42pm 
:btd6thumbsup:
skeetz 14 Sep, 2021 @ 3:41pm 
cheers, the latest win 10 has skughtly diff way to switch high dpi override but its just a extra click then when in dpi window tick the top box then tick the bottom thing to switch from app to system, clicked apply etc then worked no more small ui in 1440p :)
lsvanderkroon 23 May, 2020 @ 12:00pm 
Hi guys, i need some help here.. i have windows version 1809 and i also have the problem of everything being very small. I cant seem to find where i click on launcher.exe
where do i find this?

thanks.
Sairen 6 Mar, 2020 @ 5:43am 
Thanks m8 now I can play the game again!