Split-screen on PC

Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour

Up to 8 players on one PC, with controllers, keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice.

8Verified handler

Handler “CnC Generals Zero Hour” by messenils, version 3

P4+4 more players

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 8 players can play Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers, keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice. The free community handler “CnC Generals Zero Hour” by messenils does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 3, updated 15 Sept 2025. Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour is a real-time strategy and strategy game from 2003.

Players8
ControllersSupported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceOne per player
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour split screen on PC

Get Nucleus Co-op
Download Nucleus Co-op, free for Windows 10 and 11, and unzip it into its own folder, for example C:\NucleusCo-op. There is no installer.
Keep it out of Program Files, your user folder and OneDrive.
Download Nucleus Co-op
Install the Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour is installed.
Download the handler file (.nc)
Take a seat
Each player presses a button on their own controller to join and takes a spot on the screen. Pick a layout that fits your players.
Playing with several keyboards and mice? Press End once everything is in place to give each window its own cursor.
Launch and connect
Press Launch: Nucleus opens one copy of Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour per player and lays the windows out on your screen. Then link them in game, usually one player hosts a LAN or online session and the others join it. The handler notes say how.

What you need

A Windows 10 or 11 PC
Nucleus Co-op runs on Windows only. System requirements
Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour for Windows
Installed on that PC. Nucleus starts every player's window from that one install.
Nucleus Co-op, free
With .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later and the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtimes (x86 and x64). Download
Something to play with
One controller per player, or one keyboard and mouse per player. Controllers · Keyboards and mice
A PC that can run 8 copies
Each player runs their own copy of Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour, so the PC carries several times the usual load. Lower the graphics settings if it struggles. Performance tips
A multiplayer mode
Nucleus links the windows through the game's own LAN or online mode; the handler takes care of it.

Handler notes

Realtime Strategy game available on Steam.

This can connect with CnConline\Getools but also works without it. If you use it you need to make sure it is installed first, it is available here: http://cnc-online.net

This game can be played with multiple X-input controllers or multi mice and keyboards.

Thanks to happyexpress for making the network fix to connect without gentools.

Also thanks to SAM1430B for his help with cursor accuracy.

About Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour

It's Zero Hour, and time to unleash the absolute latest in modern weapons technology in a quest to become the world's most powerful General. In Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour, the first expansion pack to Command & Conquer Generals, players will wage a global war for control of the modern world and face the ultimate challenge by squaring off against the world's most elite commanders. Selecting from a variety of new units and an arsenal of new high-tech weaponry, players will use whatever it takes to remove enemy Generals from power. To emerge victorious, even the most experienced C&C Generals' veteran must discover new tactics and strategies to take full advantage of-and learn to defend against-the world's most lethal weapons. With the addition of new units, structures, and upgrades-plus enhanced controls, Battle Honors, and a variety of new online features-Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour gives players the firepower they'll need for global domination. With 15 new missions, players may be tasked to destroy the U.S. fleet in the Mediterranean, root out a splinter cell in Cairo, infiltrate a U.S. intelligence building, or send in special operatives to capture weapons of mass destruction. An all-new Generals Challenge mode allows players to control any of 9 new armies in battle against 9 AI generals. The ultimate goal will be to successfully make their way through all 9 enemy Generals, and unlock a select number of their armies for play in Skirmish and Online modes and prove once and for all they are the Ultimate Modern Warfare General.

Summary from IGDB

Command & Conquer: Generals - Zero Hour screenshots

Version history

v3Current
Added fix for retail version not starting and "duplicate serial" message + added note that different desktop scalings breaks the cursor
15 Sept 2025VerifiedDownload (875 KB)
v2
fixed problems adding game to list
27 Aug 2025VerifiedDownload (875 KB)
v1
first one
25 Aug 2025VerifiedDownload (875 KB)