Win 8.1 - install help (prior cursory search performed)

Just to be clear, I did perform a few cursory searches for win 8.1 help but only found win 7 help and such. I did see one person state that they have win 8.1 and works flawlessly. However, the directions to get there were not available. So here is what I have,

I have the Retail box version of SH3 that comes with the game shadow install (opted out), and the star force (cd required) version.

I have win 8.1 and installed SH3 from disk. I went to run the game, and an error box pops up and says that you need win 95/98/ xp/me/nt... yadda yadda yadda... with no apparent continuation of how to proceed. Which is why I am here now.

So, I need to know what I need to do to make the install compliant with win 8.1, any help....

Note that I do have the rld-sh14 patch and the Star Force free patch (sfdrvup.exe). I ran the star force free patch prior to install.

Any help from some sea worthy captains will be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks !