I've been an avid fan and simple player of AoE for a long time, since I was 4 and could use a mouse and keyboard... I've wanted to play online with a stable and growing community for forever... and now that I can... I cant seem to link with anyone seeing as there is a compatibility patch that I also have to download. I downloaded it and restarted everything, and it says that the patch wasn't downloaded and that the issue is the same. SO I did it again and again, and the same thing happened again and again. I WOULD LIKE SOME HELP please.

hi
that patch is not needed unless you have the steam version of the game.

install the game as per this from the cd's:
1) The game installed similar to this for XP/ Vista/ Win7/Win10.32 bit:
C:Program files/Microsoft Games/Age Of Empires11/

The game installed similar to this for Vista/ W7/ W8/ Win10. 64 bit.
C:Program files[86]/Microsoft Games/Age Of Empires11/
install the game as admin, in compatibility mode for xpsp3.

if you have the steam version follow this tutorial for a good install: https://support.voobly.com/display/vkb/KB1054+Clean+installation+of+Aoe2HD+with+compatibility+patch
you need to make sure your pc firewall allows voobly and the game through.

Kitt, I've literally spent three days worth of time doing that stupid installation pathway for a clean install and nothing has worked. Before I start downloading the patch I get a "Error: Age2HD installation was not at" and then it continues to install. SO IDK WHAT THE ISSUE IS BUT IT SUCKS

hi
confirm you have the steam hd version.
do you have the cd's?
if you can get in to a lobby, from options at the top of screen, do the game diagnostic and show here in full.