Here are the basics for getting FFVII to run in newer versions of Windows (2000 and higher). You will need:
- The Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit. This can be installed at any time. After FFVII is installed, set ff7.exe to run in either Windows 95 or Windows 98 compatibility mode.
- The following patches, directly available on the Citadel's Downloads page: ff7betap1.exe or codecmaj.exe, and the Chocobo Patch. After FFVII is installed, simply run these patches and you should be good to go.
Square Enix has additional files and patches in case you need them, all of which are available here (just use your browser's search function and look for "Final Fantasy"; they should show up fairly quickly). In addition to ff7beta1.exe, these files include save games for use in skipping certain FMVs and patches specifically for laptops, and computers with Cyrix processors.
This support thread, by the way, is for the official retail version of FFVII PC, originally published by Eidos in multiple languages. Although the Citadel does not condone piracy of this game, at the same time I realize that it has long been out of print (and therefore, very difficult to find otherwise); however, from a technical standpoint, there are no guarantees that these will work using a pirated copy of the game.
If you are having additional problems, please list them below so that your fellow forum members can help you out. Of course, if you have any tips, additional patches, etc., those are welcome too

Finally, DO NOT PM ME ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS WITH FFVII PC. Believe it or not, there are some issues that I can't help people with (especially if they involve any version of Windows that's newer than XP SP3). This thread was made so that anyone can offer help to those who need it.