Wow! See, the problem with many of the Win Vista, Win 7 and Win 8 games is that a MicroSoft update back in 2016 blew up the Windows 7 feature which allowed one to enter the authentication codes, so the games would no longer boot up. One had to delete that update. With Win 10, it seems to me improbable that older games could be installed because the authorization codes would not be accepted. The reason MicroSoft did this update in 2106 was to reduce the chance a hacker could access the system via the programming that allowed entry of the authorization codes.
I refuse to use steam because I don't like the idea of the slow downloads, errors that gamers complain about and the fact you don't actually own the game, in your hand, to do with what you want, but rather you are really only leasing the right to use it.
This is the reason I will not use Windows 10--I have too many older games which I run on Windows 7, and a few I run on Win XP. (I also have an old desktop running Win 98 for a few DOS games I still enjoy like Exploration, Caesar II, Colonization, Rise & Rule of Ancient Empires, Pirates! and Conqueror 1099 A.D..)
So, question: Does Patrician III or IV install without an activation code? Or are you talking about a stream downloaded version, which I am not? (Those are two questions.)
Thanks if you can clarify this. Appreciate your post.