GTA IV simplified downgrading guide 2025

 

Updated Video guide (a lot shorter):

 

 

 

 

Only 1.0.7.0/1.0.8.0 support – 1.0.4.0 is not supported

Last Supported FusionFix version 3.5.1

Important before you downgrade:

• Downgrading is not necessary for all mods, only do it if you want to use mods that are only available on older patches ( such as IVSDK.NET with Liberty Tweaks). Mods that directly modify game files (for the most part) will be compatible with all versions of GTA IV.
• FusionFix is available and most supported on CE, so if you only want that and the radio downgrader, then downgrading is NOT necessary.
   

The scope and reasons to downgrade:

• For mods that are sadly not available on the Complete Edition of the game because they are old or because of some other technical limitations.
• Do it if you want to skip  RGL entirely (launching and earning achievements on Steam will still be an option****.
• This will  enable you to start the game directly from the  .exe entirely skipping the annoying RGL  essentially creating a version that can be played offline and even portable.
• After you are finished you will have a 1080 or 1070 game with the newest Fusionfix, no bloat,  restored radio stations. Ready for further modding.
   

THE GUIDE:

Please make a backup copy of your untouched GTA IV folder just in case something goes wrong ( more on this in the end)

Please note that you will need Microsoft Visualc++ installed or the game won’t launch (this would normally be installed during the first start of the game). You can download  an up to date all-in-one package here.

 

1. Download the Complete Edition version of the game from Steam or via the Rockstar Games launcher**
                        **Notes for RGL version: If you have any trouble overwriting or editing files, make sure you have permissions to modify game files in the folder.

                        **It might also be a good idea to completely move the game away from the default RGL install folder, since after downgrading you won’t be able to use the RGL to start the game.
 

2. OPTIONAL (but highly recommended) Download the radio downgrader (so you get all the songs back into the game which Rockstar removed due to license expiration, from this point on I will assume that you are also using the radio downgrader in this guide)
       Installing the Radio Downgrader
                  Please note that the Radio restoration mod will only install on completely unmodified copies of the game (it does a hash-check) , so we will install this first before doing any other changes.
                   //Unzip the contents of the downgrader and run the IVCERadioRestoration.exe executable
                  //When you get to the selection screen make sure that you DO NOT select the FusionFix install from here (we will install it manually)
                 //Make your desired radio restoration selection (below is how I  like to have my radios, it is up to you)

                //Select your main game directory. (example: C:GamessteamappscommonGrand Theft Auto IVGTAIV)

         //Finish the installation and note that there will be a new folder called ‘update’ in your game folder.
              
 

3.Do A little cleanup in the game folder (optional but recommended)

           You can delete a lot of unneeded files and folders – in the end all you will need for the game to work are these* files and folders (we will add some more .exe files later):
           *Note that the steam_api.dll file is only needed if you are planning to launch the game from steam later.
              
                                             

4. Get Fusionfix (Latest working version is  3.5.1)
         Open GTAIV.EFLC.FusionFix.zip and unzip the contents into GTAIV/
              

5.Rename dinput8.dll to xlive.dll – very important
              

 

 

6.Get Xlivelessaddon
        Open XLivelessAddon.zip and unzip the contents into GTA IV/
              

7.Get the 1.0.8.0 or 1.0.7.0 downgraded files —> HERE <—(gofile – updated 18/04/25)

        Open the contents of your chosen version ( I recommend 1080 for better performance , only use 1070 if you know the mod you want absolutely needs it)

                     //Extract it to your GTA IV main directory,  it will ask you to overwrite only 2 files, choose yes.
              

In the end the main folder of the game should look like this(+the gta4encoder.exe for the video editor):
               

 

You can start the game via ”PlayGTAIV.exe” or Steam.

 

If you are going to use  Steam to play your downgraded copy set the game updates on steam to only update when you start the game and make sure to create a backup of your modded game just in case steam start verifying files***

 

 

NOTES If you want to get technical:

• The downgraded files I provide come from a trusted source. However, since this is technically a crack  it will be marked malicious by virustotal. Use at your own risk, I have been using these for years without issue.
• We are using the latest version of Zolikapatch for the downgrade (v7.65). Zolika left the modding scene, so no more updates are planned. Zolikapatch is only needed with FusionFix if you use combinded radio stations (EFLC+Base game combined) and if you are planning to play the episodes as well. It is used to avoid crashes which would otherwise happen. If you are only planning to free roam in GTA IV base game and are not using combined radio stations you can remove Zolikapatch entirely.
• I provided Zolikapatch completely bloat free, meaning only those options are enabled in there which are absolutely necessary for us to successfully use FusionFix  on our downgraded copies.
• If you want to earn Steam achievements while playing you will need to use Steam to launch your game, have steam_api.dll in the game folder, download  steam achievements unlocker and put steamachievements.asi into the plugins folder.
• ***Every month or so Rockstar updates GTA IV with new Rockstar game launcher redistributables ( these are just the RGL files basically, so they are not touching the game), this causes Steam to notify us of an update. Please make sure that you have a backup available  of your downgraded copy because it is possible that steam will start verifying files and mess with your modded copy.
• By default when you start your game it will load you straight into the first mission or a save if you already have one. To be able to select the episodes or to load into the menu instead go to  -> Settings (press Escape ingame) -> Game -> and turn OFF Skip into and Skip menu

   

 

 

Check out my mods on Nexus!

 

SOLITUDE – a timecycle mod

 

FIDELITY – a popcycle mod

 

 

 

A huge thanks for the Fusion team for making all this possible, their mod is the backbone now of any stable modern GTA IV installation.

Source