Installation and execution of ZDoom

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How to install ZDoom

  1. Download the latest ZDoom (currently 2.2.0).
  2. Extract all the files from the CAB or ZIP file into a new directory or a directory with an existing IWAD.
  3. When using a new folder make sure to include an IWAD in the ZDoom directory.

How to start ZDoom

  • using the command line with -> Start -> Run

browse for the folder where you store ZDoom click on the file zdoom.exe add parameters as needed, e.g.:

  • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe
  • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -WARP 16
  • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -IWAD Drive:\Folder\IWAD.WAD
  • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -IWAD Drive:\Folder\IWAD.WAD -WARP 16
  • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -IWAD Drive:\Folder\IWAD.WAD -SKILL 1
  • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -IWAD Drive:\Folder\IWAD.WAD -WARP 16 -SKILL 1
  • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -IWAD Drive:\Folder\IWAD.WAD -WARP 1 1 -SKILL 1


By default, ZDoom will start with E1M1 (when using Doom or Heretic), map01 (when using Doom II or Hexen), or map02 (when using Strife), unless you specify a different map with -warp. Substitute IWAD.WAD as shown above with the IWAD relevant to the game you wish to play (e.g. DOOM.WAD, HEXEN.WAD)

  • using the command line to play a custom map, use the above commands and also specify the PWAD.
    • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -file mapname.wad
    • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -file Drive:\Folder\mapname.wad

more than one PWAD can be loaded, as would be the case with resource pwads, i.e.:

  • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -file mapname.wad resource.wad


  • Using batch files to start ZDoom
  1. This involves saving the command line as a text file, i.e. playZD.bat and then employ -> Start -> Run to select the batch file.


  • Another method is to open Windows Explorer and
  1. doubleclick on the appropriate files, zdoom.exe or the batch file.


  • To play a custom PWAD from within Windows Explorer,
  1. drag 'n drop the pwad_file over the file zdoom.exe
  2. open -> Tools -> Folder Options, then under 'File Types' associate the file type wad with zdoom.exe
  3. rightclick on the pwad and choose 'Open with ...', then 'Choose Program' to select zdoom.exe


  • Another method is to 'Drag 'n Drop' the pwad_file onto the ZDoom icon.


  • Another method is to create a shortcut on your desktop.
  1. Then edit the shortcut properties by entering all pertinent parameters.


  • Yet another method is to create a Windows shell extension:
  1. Load Windows Explorer.
  2. Press the File Types tab.
  3. If WAD is listed in the extension column, press Advanced. If not, press new, type WAD, and then press Advanced near it.
  4. Press New....
  5. In the Action field, describe what you want the shell extension to display, for example:
    • Load Wad in ZDoom (Heretic)
  6. In the Application used to perform action field, place an instruction for the shell extension to activate, using %1 to represent the selected WAD file. For example:
    • "Y:\Games\Heretic\ZDoom.exe" -file "%1"
  7. Right clicking on WAD files should now list whatever you marked earlier in the Action field, and should perform the action listed in the second field.


  • A frontend may also be employed to load PWADs and switch between IWADs.

  • DeHackEd patches can come in two flavours. deh for the regular file and bex for the BOOM extensions, and are loaded in a similar manner to custom PWADs. Instead of the parameter -file one has to use the parameter -deh or -bex, i.e.:
    • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -IWAD Drive:\Folder\DOOM2.WAD -WARP 16 -SKILL 1 -DEH Drive:\Folder\patchname.deh
    • Drive:\Folder\zdoom.exe -IWAD Drive:\Folder\DOOM2.WAD -WARP 16 -SKILL 1 -BEX Drive:\Folder\patchname.bex
Retrieved from "http://zdoom.org/wiki/Installation_and_execution_of_ZDoom"
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