IV Released GTA IV Downgrader

[ItsClonkAndre]

GTA IV Downgrader

This tool allows you to easily downgrade the Steam/RGL Complete Edition (1.2.0.30 and up) of GTA IV to either 1.0.8.0, 1.0.7.0 or 1.0.4.0!

 

Requirements

• .NET Framework 4.7.2 (Should be installed on every Windows 10 machine)
• Windows 11 (Not tested), 10, 8.1, 8 or 7. Works best on Windows 10.
• Internet Connection

 

Download most recent version

• GTA IV Downgrader Version 1.8.1 (6,90 MB) (Mirror)

 

 

Spoiler

OLD Version! ONLY use when you have problems with the version above!

GTA IV Downgrader Version 1.7 (1,6 GB) (Mirror)

 

Incase you want do downgrade manually, or just need some vanilla files, then you can find every file used by the GTA IV Downgrader here.

 

How to use

1. Download the Downgrader.
2. Extract the downloaded 7zip somewhere on your PC but NOT in your GTA IV folder!
3. Run the Executable file (.exe) and follow the steps.

         ⚠️ It is recommeded to run the downgrader with admin rights! (Right click on the exe, and click on Run as administrator) ⚠️

 

Screenshots of version 1.7

 

Suggestions / Bugs

Do you have any suggestions for this tool? Or did you ran into a bug? Write a comment, or join my discord server and ask in #help!

 

Credits

Thanks to @Internet Rob for being my QA tester, and also for all of his ideas!

Thanks to @catsmackaroo for helping me creating this downgrader and for creating that EPIK logo!

 

Other Links

lcpdfr

gtainside

GitHub

 

Support

If you want to support me or this project, you can do that via Patreon, Ko-fi or PayPal. Any support would be greatly appreciated!

 

Changelog

Spoiler

• Version 1.8.1

1. The “Temp” folder will no longer delete itself when you close the Downgrader so it keeps the already downloaded files in there so you don’t have to redownload them next time (Mods will still be downloaded even if they already exists to ensure that they are up-to-date).

• Version 1.8

1. Added automatic save file downgrader using GTASnP.com
2. Fixed error screen showing wrong details when moving game files process failed.
3. Updated ToolTip for the “Download and install Prerequisites (Recommended)” CheckBox on the “Select mods that should be installed” step.
4. Reduced the size of the GTA IV Downgrader massively! Every file required for downgrading will now be downloaded from the web. This makes the downgrader an online only application.
5. On the “Select IV Executable” step, you now just need to select the GTA IV Directory that you want to downgrade instead of selecting the GTAIV.exe file.

• Version 1.7

1. Added Games for Windows Live compability.
2. Added check if the selected GTA IV Directory is on drive A:\ or B:\.
3. Added Animations.
4. Cleaned up source code.
5. The Downgrader will now kill any GTA IV Process if it’s still opened to prevent any errors while downgrading.
6. The Downgrader will now create a “settings” and “saves” folder in the GTA IV root directory for the XLivelessAddon that comes with the 1040 downgrade so your settings and saves will be correctly saved.
7. The Downgrader will now delete both DLC Folders if you choose to downgrade to 1040 because this version can’t load DLCs.
8. The Legacy Radio Downgrader will now be forced for 1040 because the Sneed Radio Downgrader is known to cause some issues.
9. Made the internet check function more reliable(?).
10. Updated text on “Welcome” and “Select version you want to downgrade to” page.

• Version 1.6

1. Fixed temp folder not getting deleted when the downgrader closes.
2. Fixed minor start GTA IV Downgrader over commandline bug.
3. Fixed “Could not create SSL/TLS secure channel” exception occuring on Windows 7.
4. Removed “availablevidmem” argument include option from commandline step because “nomemrestrict” should already take care of this.

• Version 1.5

1. Adjusted window minimum size.
2. Added error message to the downgrader that informs the user that the downgrader conflicts with the d3d9.dll if the downgrader got extracted in a GTA IV Directory with some ENB installed.
3. Added error message to the downgrader that informs the user that the downgrader can’t be run from within a zip file.
4. Added MD5 verification step (Which checks if your GTA IV directory is modified or not).
5. Added step that automatically moves the selected GTA IV directory to another place of your choice if the current path has some errors.
6. Added a “Restart with admin rights” button on error page when a System.UnauthorizedAccessException occured to quickly restart the app as a admin.
7. Added a proper logging method.
8. Added a button on the final dialog with which you can open the just created log file.
9. Downgrader can now be started with a commandline argument to the target GTAIV.exe path to slightly automate stuff if needed.
10. Cleaned up source code.
11. Changed extraction method.

• Version 1.4 - Updated on the 17th of May 2022

1. Updated ZMenuIV and ZPatch to the newest version.
2. Added option to downgrade to 1.0.4.0.
3. Hopefully fixed the invalid file issue when selecting the GTAIV.exe.
4. "Play GTA IV" button on the finish screen should work now.

• Version 1.3

1. Removed version check when you select the GTAIV.exe.
2. When you select the recommended commandline, you now have to choice to include the -availablevidmem argument or not.
3. Added mod "colaccel".
4. Added mod "SimpleTrafficLoader".
5. Added note on the finish screen of the downgrade to always run the game through steam or PlayGTAIV.exe.

• Version 1.2

1. Added missing libraries warning.
2. Added the option to automatically ZIP the backup.
3. Edited and added more information to commandline VRAM question step.
4. Added 'Show Log' checkbox to the finish screen.
5. Added a play button to the finish screen.
6. Some code changes.
7. Tried to get some more information about the "Empty path name is not legal" error.
8. On error, the downgrader will now create a log file in the downgrader directory.

• Version 1.1.1 (Hotfix for version 1.1)

1. Fixed a bug that didn't let the downgrader continue downgrading when the legacy radio downgrade finished.
2. Downgrading step now behaves better when resizing the window.

• Version 1.1

1. Radio downgrade is now optional.
2. Removed dsound.
3. Added commandline step.

• Version 1.0

1. Release

Edited 7 hours ago by ItsClonkAndre
Added link to downgrader files for manual downgrading

[catsmackaroo]

[Th3W0r53]

Don't forget something 1.2.0.43.

[Its-SG]

OMG 😎

[catsandpaws]

THIS IS AWESOME!

[SandeMC]

Oh, good thing I wanted to check if my guide downgrade things are still revelant. I'll update my russian guide with this ASAP. (it hit top 2 russian guides on yearly popularity recently aswell 🥲)

UPD: I think you need to fix that, it defaults to French language after the downgrade. I don't think that's what it should do, haha.

Edited October 28, 2021 by SandeMC
upd

[Legomanarthur]

So when it comes to the RGL version of the Complete Edition, does this downgrader prevent the launcher from downloading the latest files over and over again every time we launch the game?

[B Dawg]

3 minutes ago, Legomanarthur said:

So when it comes to the RGL version of the Complete Edition, does this downgrader prevent the launcher from downloading the latest files over and over again every time we launch the game?

You have to move the game folder somewhere else.

[outofthecage]

When i get to the first step, which is the input of the path of GTAIV.EXE, it says "invalid file - please select GTA IV'S executable file" even though I put the correct path.

[ItsClonkAndre]

38 minutes ago, outofthecage said:

When i get to the first step, which is the input of the path of GTAIV.EXE, it says "invalid file - please select GTA IV'S executable file" even though I put the correct path.

When you hover over gtaiv's executable file, what does it say at "File Description"? It should say Grand Theft Auto IV

Other way to check for the File Description is by right clicking on your executable file, then click on Properties, then on Details and there you should see all the details about the exe

Edited October 31, 2021 by ItsClonkAndre

[Guest]

Can you also post this on cat's Steam guide as well, downloading now, will give feedback later after trying.

BTW is this possible to use on 1.2.0.43?

Edited October 31, 2021 by Guest

[ItsClonkAndre]

1 hour ago, Saad31 said:

Can you also post this on cat's Steam guide as well, downloading now, will give feedback later after trying.

I would have to ask catsmackaroo for that

 

1 hour ago, Saad31 said:

BTW is this possible to use on 1.2.0.43?

:

On 10/25/2021 at 2:25 AM, ItsClonkAndre said:

Steam/RGL Complete Edition (1.2.0.32 and up) of GTA IV to either 1.0.8.0 or 1.0.7.0!

 

On 10/28/2021 at 2:49 PM, MiesThies said:

Haven't tried it out yet, but looks really awesome! Thank you! Are you, by any chance planning to include the ability to downgrade to other versions, e.g. 1.0.4.0 as well? Would love that.

Thanks! Yes i'm planning on adding the ability to downgrade to 1040 as well!

[outofthecage]

9 hours ago, ItsClonkAndre said:

When you hover over gtaiv's executable file, what does it say at "File Description"? It should say Grand Theft Auto IV

Other way to check for the File Description is by right clicking on your executable file, then click on Properties, then on Details and there you should see all the details about the exe

Ah i fixed it. I needed to just verify the integrity of the game files. However, now the downgrader gets stuck after it says 'Radio Downgrader Finished'

[Guest]

I tried both .net 4.7.2 installed and the downgrader is not opening as well, Windows 7 64 bit.

Tried cat's downgrader as well, stuck on loading complete screen.

Edited November 1, 2021 by Guest

[ItsClonkAndre]

11 hours ago, outofthecage said:

Ah i fixed it. I needed to just verify the integrity of the game files. However, now the downgrader gets stuck after it says 'Radio Downgrader Finished'

Thanks for the information! It should be fixed in the next version! I'll upload it as a hotfix version, so you don't have to download the whole 1,58GB again.

 

3 hours ago, Saad31 said:

I tried both .net 4.7.2 installed and the downgrader is not opening as well, Windows 7 64 bit.

Tested on Windows 7 64 bit aswell and it's working for me.

.NET 4.7.2 was not installed so windows showed me this:

After i installed it, the downgrader worked.

[Guest]

Thanks for info, using 1.2.0.43 version for now. I killed the stuttering though.

[Yosh]

Had the same issue with 1.1, hotfix page does not seem to be working 

[ItsClonkAndre]

44 minutes ago, Yosh said:

Had the same issue with 1.1, hotfix page does not seem to be working 

Fixed link

[Yosh]

Thanks, Awesome work

[eFrostyy]

Seem to be running into some issues when using the Downgrader; not sure if I just missed something obvious or it's a legitimate issue. Probably the former given my unfamiliarity with modding the game. If I use the radio downgrader options (either by Sneed or Legacy), I get stuck in the downgrading process at the line: "[Radio Downgrader] del install.bat" No error, just hangs.

 

If I skip the radio downgrader, it still states "Extracting files for radio downgrader..." followed by "An error occured... Details: Empty path name is not legal."

 

Fresh install of the game, run once to main menu. Not in a system folder either. Antivirus exclusion is set, Framework is installed. Windows 10.

I've tried both with the files in the zip extracted to the Grand Theft Auto IV folder, outside of the GTAIV folder with game contents, as well as inside of it.

Downgrading to 1.0.7.0. All optional components selected in Step 4.

 

Again, probably my obliviousness causing it, but figured I'd ask for help if anyone has a moment to educate me. Thanks for all the work you've put into the project; looking forward to getting it working on my end and playing soon!

[eFrostyy]

39 minutes ago, eFrostyy said:

Seem to be running into some issues when using the Downgrader; not sure if I just missed something obvious or it's a legitimate issue. Probably the former given my unfamiliarity with modding the game. If I use the radio downgrader options (either by Sneed or Legacy), I get stuck in the downgrading process at the line: "[Radio Downgrader] del install.bat" No error, just hangs.

 

If I skip the radio downgrader, it still states "Extracting files for radio downgrader..." followed by "An error occured... Details: Empty path name is not legal."

 

Fresh install of the game, run once to main menu. Not in a system folder either. Antivirus exclusion is set, Framework is installed. Windows 10.

I've tried both with the files in the zip extracted to the Grand Theft Auto IV folder, outside of the GTAIV folder with game contents, as well as inside of it.

Downgrading to 1.0.7.0. All optional components selected in Step 4.

 

Again, probably my obliviousness causing it, but figured I'd ask for help if anyone has a moment to educate me. Thanks for all the work you've put into the project; looking forward to getting it working on my end and playing soon!

Well, I was right; it was my fault.

Turns out, in my infinite knowledge, I didn't realize that A:\ and B:\ were reserved for floppy disks once upon a time before I used computers, and a year and some change back I installed a new drive and designated it as B:\. Seems like there's an issue with doing so, as the process that deletes install.bat when downgrading the radio can't finish and provides an error stating, "Insert the diskette that contains the batch file and press any key to continue." I didn't see this in the installer, as it displays the process of deleting install.bat, but not the error requesting the diskette to be inserted. Changed my drive letter, issue resolved!

Now to deal with everything else linked to that old drive letter that will inevitably not work... Lesson learned!

[SandeMC]

Would you include DXVK/DxWrapper as an optional component in the online downgrader? That'll help some people if you want to make one installer for all the essentialls, to be honest.

[catsmackaroo]

On 11/5/2021 at 3:44 PM, SandeMC said:

Would you include DXVK/DxWrapper as an optional component in the online downgrader? That'll help some people if you want to make one installer for all the essentialls, to be honest.

An Essentials pack... definitely a consideration for me 🤫

Spoiler

Well actually I've already made one in the past but it's not a program, and not everything is up-to-date 😨

 

Edited November 9, 2021 by catsmackaroo

[Gobite]

Hey so i tried multiple times to install the downgrade, but i always got an error message saying that the Empty path name is note legal. I changed my GTAIV to my SSD and it did nothing, do you have some advices ?

[ItsClonkAndre]

1 hour ago, Gobite said:

Hey so i tried multiple times to install the downgrade, but i always got an error message saying that the Empty path name is note legal. I changed my GTAIV to my SSD and it did nothing, do you have some advices ?

 

@eFrostyy had the same issue, maybe his solution helps

On 11/5/2021 at 2:58 AM, eFrostyy said:

Well, I was right; it was my fault.

Turns out, in my infinite knowledge, I didn't realize that A:\ and B:\ were reserved for floppy disks once upon a time before I used computers, and a year and some change back I installed a new drive and designated it as B:\. Seems like there's an issue with doing so, as the process that deletes install.bat when downgrading the radio can't finish and provides an error stating, "Insert the diskette that contains the batch file and press any key to continue." I didn't see this in the installer, as it displays the process of deleting install.bat, but not the error requesting the diskette to be inserted. Changed my drive letter, issue resolved!

Now to deal with everything else linked to that old drive letter that will inevitably not work... Lesson learned!

 

[Gobite]

11 hours ago, ItsClonkAndre said:

 

@eFrostyy had the same issue, maybe his solution helps

 

My names for my hard drives is : SSD (C:) and HDD (D:). I don't have any A:/ and B:/. My GTAIV folders is in : SSD (C:)/SteamSSD/steamapps/common/Grand Theft Auto IV/GTAIV

[gta sa player]

Is there any difference between the asi loader by AB and the one by thirteenAG? Because if not then I recommend replacing the one with the other and giving it a different name than dsound.dll and then adding DSOAL for the best audio. I would also add these mods:

 

 

Rancher Collision Model Fix
Karin Sultan Trunk Fix
Plane Flight Path Improvements
Fixed Combat Shotgun Icon
Draw Distance Tweak
Controller Button Icon Change (if someone uses a DS3/DS4)
I also recommend reading this guide: How to fix choppiness and stutters in GTA IV

This mod pack's also pretty good. 

Edited November 13, 2021 by gta sa player

[B Dawg]

17 hours ago, gta sa player said:

Rancher Collision Model Fix
Karin Sultan Trunk Fix

I think Fusion Fix already includes a fixed Rancher (done in a better way or something) and the Sultan Trunk Fix has messed up vehicle camera.

[SandeMC]

Why a lot of people seem to face an issue with -availablevidmem in commandline? It keeps setting it at 300mb even though it's set to 2048.0

[LitMan]

I dunno why, but for whatever reason this one does not seem to work for me, but it's also my first time trying to effectively mod GTA IV, so maybe I'm being dumb here. Have tried searching for fix, but no dice.

Installation is not on Program Files (It is, however, in the steamapps folder on my D drive, but I think that's okay?).

The Downgrader itself works fine, no errors, no anything, and it's updated to the most recent version (Hotfix 1), but whenever I press Play, the game just keeps loading infinitely.

If I try to Alt+Tab during it, it'll stop responding. Sometimes it also stops responding after a good 20~30s.

I tried removing save files, adding the commandline.txt arguments to the shortcut, the whole ordeal. Nothing seems to work.

The game runs perfectly fine before the downgrade (whatever version is on steam right now).

I also got a pretty beefy PC, so I doubt it's anything hardware related, or to do with the availablevidmem (I have a RTX 2060 6GB), like so many potential fixes seem to suggest.

 

I did managed to downgrade it using the method described in catsmackaroo's Ultimate GTA IV Setup Guide video, but I figured I might just describe my experience, I have a couple vanilla backups if you'd like me to try anything.