Microsoft Game Studios - Halo: Combat Evolved for Windows

For a list of all Halo for Windows related Knowledge Base (KB) articles, please visit the Articles about Halo for Windows Microsoft Help and Support page.

To view top Games for Windows support issues, product-specific content, “Show Me How” videos, and other related resources for playing games, please visit the Games Help and Support Web site.

Halo Hot-Fix v1.07: Halo Hot-Fix v1.07: The Halo for Windows v1.07 Hotfix addresses a rare hang that could occur if a malicious individual (hacker) purposely imitates a game server and sends invalid data to a server. This hot-fix changes the version number of Halo for Windows and the Halo for Windows Dedicated Server to v1.07 from v1.06.

NOTE: Due to an incompatibility discovered between some systems and the updated auto-patcher released with version v1.05, users of v1.05 will have to manually download an updated auto-patcher and run it from the Halo directory to receive this latest update. Users updating from the current 1.06 version, or versions prior to 1.05, can auto-patch from the game. This issue only affects users still running the old version 1.05.

Instructions for manually updating the Halo for Windows auto-patcher (for Halo v1.05):

Save the auto-patcher update file below to the game install directory, such as c:\program files\microsoft games\halo. Overwrite the existing file. Remember to "save" this file, don't try to "open" it directly from the Web site.

After saving the file to the proper location, double-click the exe to install. If you receive an error message (such as strings.dll not found) you likely did not save it to the proper game install directory.

Start Halo and the new updated auto-patcher should prompt you to update your version to v1.07.

DOWNLOAD NEW AUTO-PATCHER 230 KB

Versions other than v1.05 can auto-patch, or download and run the file below.

DOWNLOAD HOT-FIX v1.07 4.7 MB

RELEASE HISTORY
The Halo Update v1.031 added to the changes from v1.02, providing many options to allow servers to automatically prevent players from repeatedly killing teammates, by setting thresholds for automatic temporary or permanent bans, and limitations to the amount of damage teammates can do to each other. This update also includes a number of other new options and improvements, which are detailed in the release notes.

Note: Due to technical changes made for this version, checkpoints saved in previous versions of the game will now load at the beginning of their respective levels; progress through these levels will be reset. It is recommended that you complete your current level, which will unlock the next level, before applying this update.

All updates to the Halo Dedicated Server are documented in the Halo Dedicated Server Readme file, which is available here: Halo Dedicated Server Readme

The Halo Update v1.02 added support for multiple instances to our (Bungie) dedicated server, enabling us and the community to roll out many more servers for gamers. Also introduced were client support for RCon (Remote Console), allowing dedicated server operators to have control over their servers running in data centers.

Also available is the Halo for Windows Technical and Performance FAQ, which answers most frequently asked technical questions about Halo for Windows.

More information...

Each time you join or create an Internet multiplayer game, Halo automatically checks the Internet for the latest update. You may also run the stand alone updating tool, haloupdate.exe, from the root of the folder where Halo is installed. This is usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Halo.
A dialog box indicating that Halo is “Checking for update.” is displayed.
Update Dialog Box
If there is an update available, your current game is shutdown, the update is downloaded and installed, and the game is restarted. If you choose to cancel out of your update, you are returned to the Multiplayer screen. The next time you attempt to join or create an Internet multiplayer game, the process starts all over again.
Note: If there is a Halo update available, you must allow the update to download and install, if you wish to continue playing multiplayer Halo. In order to maintain your ability to connect to or host multiplayer games of Halo, it is recommended that you install the latest update when it becomes available. In addition, you must be logged in as an Administrator of the computer in order to successfully install any updates for Halo.
For information about Known issues with Halo multiplayer please see the following articles in the Microsoft Product Support Services Knowledgebase:

829469: Halo Combat Evolved Known Multiplayer Issues
829473: Halo Combat Evolved: Network Ports Required for Multiplayer Game

When Halo Combat Evolved starts there are a variety of dialogs and errors that you might see. Each of these dialogs is permanently dismissible and offers to link you to more information. If you are experiencing problems with these alerts, please review this article: Troubleshooting Halo Combat Evolved Alerts and Dialogs.

The following Microsoft Product Support Services Knowledgebase (KB) articles are also available:

829479: Halo Minimum System Requirements
829478: Known Video Issues with Halo PC
829477: Known Sound Issues with Halo Combat Evolved
829473: Halo Combat Evolved: Network Ports Required for Multiplayer Game
829471: Halo Combat Evolved Game is Slow or Performs Poorly
829470: Known Game Controller Issues With Halo PC
829469: Halo Combat Evolved Known Multiplayer Issues

For a list of all the KB articles that are either Halo specific or contain information and troubleshooting steps that apply to Halo, please visit this Articles About Halo Microsoft Product Support Services compilation page.

To view top support issues, product-specific content, and other related resources for playing games, visit the Games Support Center. Also available on this site are resources to help you troubleshoot issues associated with game setup, performance, multiplayer networking, sound, video, or your game controller.