Anonymous edits have been disabled on the wiki. If you want to contribute please login or create an account.

Warning for game developers: PCGamingWiki staff members will only ever reach out to you using the official press@pcgamingwiki.com mail address.
Be aware of scammers claiming to be representatives or affiliates of PCGamingWiki who promise a PCGW page for a game key.

Difference between revisions of "MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(Added key points regarding included and compatible prior content.)
(→‎API: No d3d8 traces)
 
(78 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{stub}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|cover        = MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries cover.jpg
 
|cover        = MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries cover.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 +
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Cyberlore Studios}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|FASA Interactive}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|FASA Interactive}}
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Microsoft Studios}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Microsoft Game Studios}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MekTek Studios}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Ubisoft|Re-releases}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Atari|MW4 Compilation release}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MekTek Studios|Freeware release}}
 +
|engines      =
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 7, 2002}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|November 7, 2002}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, Freeware }}<!-- current status is unclear.-->
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person, Third-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Vehicle combat }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | Robot }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Stylized }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Sci-fi }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | MechWarrior }}
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20030416192411/http://www.microsoft.com/Games/mw4mercs/
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
−
|gogcom page  =
+
|gogcom id    =  
 +
|hltb        = 5768
 +
|strategywiki =
 +
|mobygames    = 8000
 
|wikipedia    = MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
 
|wikipedia    = MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
 +
|winehq      = 3839
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|MechWarrior}}
 
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{++}} Comes with all 'Mechs from the [[MechWarrior 4: Vengeance]]'s expansion
+
|introduction      = '''''MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries''''' is the second expansion pack for the 2000 [[Glossary:Sci-fi|sci-fi]] [[Glossary:Vehicle combat|vehicle combat]] game ''[[MechWarrior 4: Vengeance]]''. Unlike ''Black Knight'', it is standalone and does not require the base game to play. It includes its own set of campaigns for various mercenary groups, as well as all 'Mechs from ''Vengeance'' and ''Black Knight''; while the official 'Mech Paks are not included, they are compatible with this release.
−
{{++}} Compatible with [[MechWarrior 4: Vengeance]]'s Mech Packs.
+
 
−
{{--}} No longer available as freeware.<ref name="MekTek">[https://web.archive.org/web/20131027154119/http://www.mektek.net/forums/topic/208502-before-posting-on-mechwarrior4/ Before posting on MechWarrior4 - General Discussion - MekTek Community]</ref>
+
|release history  = The original retail version of the game received a [[#Patches|single official patch]]. The game was picked up by [[Company:MekTek Studios|MekTek Studios]] for a freeware release, which was heavily modified and included additional content, but has since been discontinued, leaving the game in unclear legal status.<ref name="MekTek">[https://web.archive.org/web/20131027154119/http://www.mektek.net/forums/topic/208502-before-posting-on-mechwarrior4/ Before posting on MechWarrior4 - General Discussion - MekTek Community]</ref>
 +
 
 +
|current state    = On modern systems, the game may have issues [[#Game does not recognize hardware or graphics card drivers|recognizing hardware or graphics card drivers]], which can be worked around.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
'''General information'''
 +
{{mm}} [http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Main_Page BattleTech Wiki] - A massive wiki for everything BattleTech related
 +
{{mm}} [http://www.thegameengine.org/mechwarrior-4-mercenaries/ MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries on TheGameEngine.org] - solving some technical issues.
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
−
{{Availability/row| Retail | | unknown |}}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | {{DRM|SafeDisc|v2}}. | | Windows}}
−
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B00006IJMS | unknown |}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{--}} This game is no longer available digitally.<ref name="MekTek"/>
+
{{ii}} A free demo version is available from [https://www.gamefront.com/games/mechwarrior-4/file/mechwarrior-4-mercenaries-demo GameFront].
 +
 
 +
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Skip intro videos===
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Run the game with the <code>/gosnovideo</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command-line argument]]|ref=|fix=}}
 +
 
 +
===Patches===
 +
====Retail game====
 +
{{ii}} In 2003, the retail game received its first and only patch, Point Release 1 (PR1). It can be downloaded from [https://www.gamefront.com/games/mechwarrior-4/category/mercenaries-5 GameFront] and [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/2643/7/27616 Patches-Scrolls].
 +
 
 +
====Free release (from Mektek)====
 +
{{ii}} '''51.03.01.0017''' (2010-04): game + first patch.
 +
{{ii}} '''51.03.01.0021''' (2010-05): game + first patch + latest ATI and Nvidia Cards support.
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|game}}\RESOURCE\Pilots\{{p|uid}}\options.mw4}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\options.ini|{{p|game}}\RESOURCE\Pilots\{{p|uid}}\options.mw4}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|game}}\RESOURCE\Pilots\}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\RESOURCE\Pilots\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
+
==Video==
−
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
−
|origin                =
 
−
|origin notes          =
 
−
|steam cloud          =
 
−
|steam cloud notes    =
 
−
|uplay                =
 
−
|uplay notes          =
 
−
}}
 
−
 
 
−
==Video settings==
 
 
{{Image|MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries settings.png|Launcher settings.}}
 
{{Image|MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries settings.png|Launcher settings.}}
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
−
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/mechwarrior-4-mercenaries
+
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/mechwarrior-4-mercenaries
−
|widescreen wsgf award      = unsupported
+
|widescreen wsgf award      = silver
−
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
+
|multimonitor wsgf award    = silver
−
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = incomplete
+
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = unsupported
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
−
|widescreen resolution      = true
+
|widescreen resolution      = limited
−
|widescreen resolution notes= False for retail; true for Free Release (abandoned project [http://www.dropshipcommand.com/forum/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=7&topic_id=49240#49241/ mektech] offered High Definition Patch).
+
|widescreen resolution notes= False for retail; true for freeware MekTek release.
−
|multimonitor              = unknown
+
|multimonitor              = true
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
−
|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
+
|ultrawidescreen            = false
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
 
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
 
|4k ultra hd                = unknown
Line 72: Line 101:
 
|anisotropic                = unknown
 
|anisotropic                = unknown
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
−
|antialiasing              = true
+
|antialiasing              = limited
 
|antialiasing notes        = On/off only; set in the launcher.
 
|antialiasing notes        = On/off only; set in the launcher.
 +
|upscaling                  = false
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = unknown
 
|vsync                      = unknown
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
−
|60 fps                    = unknown
+
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
−
|120 fps                    = unknown
+
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 +
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
Line 96: Line 130:
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = true
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = true
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
Line 106: Line 142:
 
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 
|invert controller y-axis  = true
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
−
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
−
|button prompts           = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = unknown
−
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers         = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =  
 +
|other button prompts     = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=  
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
−
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = unknown
−
|light bar support notes   =  
+
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
 
{{Image|MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries audio settings.png|Audio settings.}}
 
{{Image|MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries audio settings.png|Audio settings.}}
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    = Music and Sound Effects.
 
|separate volume notes    = Music and Sound Effects.
−
|surround sound          = unknown
+
|surround sound          = true
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|subtitles                = false
 
|subtitles                = false
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
−
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|mute on focus lost      = true
 
|mute on focus lost      = true
Line 133: Line 197:
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = true
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
|ref      =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = German
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = unknown
 +
|subtitles = unknown
 +
|notes    =
 +
|ref      =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 141: Line 228:
 
|local play modes    =  
 
|local play modes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
−
|lan play            = unknown
+
|lan play            = true
 
|lan play players    =  
 
|lan play players    =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
−
|online play          = true
+
|online play          = false
−
|online play players  = 2-16
+
|online play players  = 16
 
|online play modes    =  
 
|online play modes    =  
−
|online play notes    =  
+
|online play notes    = The official MSN Gaming Zone service has been shut down.
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
Line 166: Line 253:
 
|udp  =  
 
|udp  =  
 
|upnp =  
 
|upnp =  
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Issues fixed==
 +
===Game does not recognize hardware or graphics card drivers===
 +
{{ii}} When attempting to run the game on a modern Nvidia or AMD GPU, the error may appear: {{code|Your current hardware or driver setup is not compatible with MechWarrior 4...}}. Selecting the graphics card in the {{file|autoconfig_MERCS.exe}} setup program may also be disabled.
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Rename imagehlp.dll|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mechwarrior/comments/6mzki8/using_dxwnd_to_run_mechwarrior_4_mercenaries_on/dqvuvnr/|title=Using DXwnd to run MechWarrior 4 Mercenaries on Nvidia GPUs : mechwarrior|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Go to {{folder|{{p|game}}\Assets\Binaries}}
 +
# Delete or rename {{file|imagehlp.dll}}.
 +
# Run {{file|autoconfig_MERCS.exe}} as administrator.
 +
# Select the correct GPU and setup options as preferred and click Continue. The game should now run correctly.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 171: Line 269:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
−
|direct3d versions      = 8.1
+
|direct3d versions      = 7
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 183: Line 281:
 
|mantle support        =  
 
|mantle support        =  
 
|mantle support notes  =  
 
|mantle support notes  =  
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
−
|64-bit executable     = false
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
−
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Middleware===
 +
{{Middleware
 +
|physics          =
 +
|physics notes    =
 +
|audio            =
 +
|audio notes      =
 +
|interface        =
 +
|interface notes  =
 +
|input            =
 +
|input notes      =
 +
|cutscenes        =
 +
|cutscenes notes  =
 +
|multiplayer      = MSN Gaming Zone
 +
|multiplayer notes=
 +
|anticheat        =
 +
|anticheat notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 198: Line 326:
 
|minCPU  = 700 MHz
 
|minCPU  = 700 MHz
 
|minRAM  = 128 MB
 
|minRAM  = 128 MB
−
|minHD    = 1 GB <br/>3 GB (Free Release)
+
|minHD    = 1 GB (retail release)<br/>3 GB (MekTek release)
 
|minVRAM  = 16 MB
 
|minVRAM  = 16 MB
 +
|minDX    = 8.1
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 12:48, 29 September 2023

MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries cover
Developers
Cyberlore Studios
FASA Interactive
Publishers
Microsoft Game Studios
Re-releases Ubisoft
MW4 Compilation release Atari
Freeware release MekTek Studios
Release dates
Windows November 7, 2002
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Freeware
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person, Third-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Vehicle combat
Vehicles Robot
Art styles Stylized
Themes Sci-fi
Series MechWarrior
Icon overlay.png
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries on HowLongToBeat
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries on MobyGames
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
⤏ Go to series page
Subseries of BattleTech
MechWarrior 1989
MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat 1995
MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries 1996
MechWarrior 3 1999
MechWarrior 4: Vengeance 2000
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries 2002
MechWarrior: Living Legends (unofficial game) 2009
MechWarrior Online 2012
MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries 2019
MechWarrior 5: Clans 2024

Warnings

SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see Availability for affected versions).

MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries is the second expansion pack for the 2000 sci-fi vehicle combat game MechWarrior 4: Vengeance. Unlike Black Knight, it is standalone and does not require the base game to play. It includes its own set of campaigns for various mercenary groups, as well as all 'Mechs from Vengeance and Black Knight; while the official 'Mech Paks are not included, they are compatible with this release.

The original retail version of the game received a single official patch. The game was picked up by MekTek Studios for a freeware release, which was heavily modified and included additional content, but has since been discontinued, leaving the game in unclear legal status.[1]

On modern systems, the game may have issues recognizing hardware or graphics card drivers, which can be worked around.

General information

BattleTech Wiki - A massive wiki for everything BattleTech related
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries on TheGameEngine.org - solving some technical issues.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 SafeDisc v2 DRM[Note 1].
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
A free demo version is available from GameFront.

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Run the game with the /gosnovideo command-line argument

Patches

Retail game

In 2003, the retail game received its first and only patch, Point Release 1 (PR1). It can be downloaded from GameFront and Patches-Scrolls.

Free release (from Mektek)

51.03.01.0017 (2010-04): game + first patch.
51.03.01.0021 (2010-05): game + first patch + latest ATI and Nvidia Cards support.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\options.ini[Note 2]
<path-to-game>\RESOURCE\Pilots\<user-id>\options.mw4[Note 2]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\RESOURCE\Pilots\[Note 2]

Video

Launcher settings.
Launcher settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 False for retail; true for freeware MekTek release.
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Toggle with Alt+↵ Enter.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
On/off only; set in the launcher.
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
PlayStation controllers
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music and Sound Effects.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
German

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
Online play
16 The official MSN Gaming Zone service has been shut down.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Issues fixed

Game does not recognize hardware or graphics card drivers

When attempting to run the game on a modern Nvidia or AMD GPU, the error may appear: Your current hardware or driver setup is not compatible with MechWarrior 4.... Selecting the graphics card in the autoconfig_MERCS.exe setup program may also be disabled.
Rename imagehlp.dll[4]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Assets\Binaries
  2. Delete or rename imagehlp.dll.
  3. Run autoconfig_MERCS.exe as administrator.
  4. Select the correct GPU and setup options as preferred and click Continue. The game should now run correctly.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 7
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Multiplayer MSN Gaming Zone

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 98, ME, 2000, XP
Processor (CPU) 700 MHz
System memory (RAM) 128 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 1 GB (retail release)
3 GB (MekTek release)
Video card (GPU) 16 MB of VRAM
DirectX 8.1 compatible


Notes

  1. ↑ SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[2] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[3]
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References