[badhooverdog]

I was also having major problems getting win8 to install IL2. None of the solutions, compatibilty mode etc worked & had virtually given up when I read on another site about (GoG) Good old Games. Downloaded a win8 compatible copy of IL2 from them for $9.99. Not only did it work straight off but is ready patched to 4.11.1. Saved wasting half a day downloading patches . Well chuffed & all for about 6 quid sterling. Hope this is of some use to someone.