Most older titles released by PopCap Games in the early to late 2000s are somewhat odd in that they have two executables:

1. The normal game executable that you would start to play the game.
   
2. The true game executable, which is unpacked by the normal executable at runtime. This is temporarily stored in a file and then run. It is this executable that actually contains the game. The temporary executable file is deleted by the parent process when the game exits.

This bizarre dual run management scheme is entirely implemented in the first executable, which unpacks, starts, and controls the true game executable, which it then deletes when the game exits. PopCap presumably had their reasons for doing this.

Due to the simplicity of the system, finding the true executable is trivially easy. One could easily find it by accident just glancing at Windows Task Manager while the game is running. The temporary executable file will appear in the process list and has a different name than the normal executable found in the game's installation folder. Also, it usually has "popcap" in the name, making it obviously related to the game. And if you ask Windows Task Manager to show the location of the game's executable, it will take you to the location of the temporary file.

If you are using Valve's Proton then this file will be in the same location. Sometimes this is inside of the game's Proton prefix. Most Linux-based operating systems have some equivalent to Windows Task Manager, which can show you the command line of the game's process. This should contain the location of the true executable, including the path of the game's Proton prefix.

Because the true executable exists as a file while the game runs, you can simply:

1. Copy the true executable while the game is running
   
2. Exit the game
   
3. Replace the normal executable with the copy of the true executable.
   
4. Use the new executable and run the game as normal without the Dual-run system.

Because the normal executable is monitoring things in the background, it slows things down quite a bit. This is not usually a major issue in the native Windows environment of these games. Compatibility layers such as Wine and Proton sometimes exacerbate this into much worse lag. Replacing the normal executable gets rid of all this and results in much smoother performance.

As for downsides, as far as I know there are none at all. Even Steam Achievements still work just fine after the replacement, in games that have them.

Common issues known to be fixed via this method include:

• Lag. Seen in various games, but most prominently visible in Plants vs. Zombies, which experiences extreme lag during plant selection and whenever Crazy Dave is onscreen.
  
• The -changedir error. Seen in various games and prevents the game from starting. This can also be fixed by adding '-changedir' to the game's launch options. Once the game can start, executable replacement can be performed and the launch option removed.

Here is all the info you need to perform this process with Talismania Deluxe.

Normal executable: 'Talismania.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Talismania's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Talismania Deluxe/')

Just do the following:

1. Run Talismania Deluxe.
   
2. Go to the file location given above.
   
3. Copy "popcapgame1.exe".
   
4. Quit Talismania Deluxe.
   
5. Rename "Talismania.exe" to something else, like "Talismania.exe.old".
   
6. Rename the copy you made of "popcapgame1.exe" to "Talismania.exe".
   
7. Done! Now you can play the game as normal without the dual-run system.

Here is some useful information for each specific game I have. I do not have any PopCap titles outside of Steam, so only titles with a Steam release will be listed here. Games newer than 2010 are unlikely to use the scheme detailed in this guide, especially considering that PopCap Games was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2011. So I am not going to bother with listing anything newer than 2010.

If anybody has the SpinTop Games titles (the Amazing Adventures series, Escape series, Mystery P.I. series, etc.) and is willing to test them and post the appropriate information in the discussion I can add them to the list.

File locations should be the similar on Linux-based Steam installs, with the caveat that locations under C:\ on Windows will instead be under drive_c inside the game's Proton prefix.

AstroPop Deluxe (originally released in 2004)
Normal executable: 'WinAP.exe'
True executable: Randomised, format is 'pop****.tmp'
True executable location: In AstroPop's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/AstroPop Deluxe/')
Notes: AstroPop Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe.

Bejeweled Deluxe (originally released in 2001)
Normal executable: 'WinBej.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\Bejeweled\'
Notes: Bejeweled Deluxe defines the standard configuration that would be used in several later titles.

Bejeweled 2 Deluxe (originally released in 2004)
Normal executable: 'WinBej2.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\Bejeweled2\'
Notes: Bejeweled 2 Deluxe uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

Bejeweled 3 (originally released in 2010)
Bejeweled 3 is a newer title that does not use PopCap's old system. It also does not have any issues with Proton, and has a Platinum rating on ProtonDB.

Bejeweled Twist (originally released in 2008)
Not sure if this method works. I do not own this game. It came out in 2008, so the method may work. If anybody owns it and wants to test it and could post their findings in the discussion that would be very nice.

Big Money! Deluxe (originally released in 2002)
Normal executable: 'WinBM.exe'
True executable: Randomised, format is 'pop****.tmp'
True executable location: In Big Money's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Big Money Deluxe/')
Notes: Big Money! Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe.

Bookworm Adventures Deluxe (originally released in 2006)
Normal executable: 'BookwormAdventures.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\WinBAD\'
Notes: BookWorm Adventures Deluxe uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

BookWorm Adventures Volume 2 (originally released in 2009)
Normal executable: 'BookwormAdventuresVol2.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\BWAVol2\'
Notes: BookWorm Adventures Volume 2 uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe. Replacing the executable also solves a game-breaking issue on Proton which causes the game to fail to start unless '-changedir' is added to the launch options, which is unnecessary with the true executable.

BookWorm Deluxe (originally released in 2003)
Normal executable: 'Bookworm.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\Bookworm\'
Notes: BookWorm Deluxe uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

Chuzzle Deluxe (originally released in 2005)
Normal executable: 'Chuzzle.exe'
True executable: Randomised, format is 'pop****.tmp'
True executable location: In Chuzzle's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Chuzzle Deluxe/')
Notes: Chuzzle Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe.

Dynomite! Deluxe (originally released in 2002)
Normal executable: 'Dynomite.exe'
True executable: Randomised, format is 'pop****.tmp'
True executable location: In Dynomite's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Dynomite Deluxe/')
Notes: Dynomite! Deluxe is particularly easy to do this with because the true executable is stored right there in the install folder. You do need to change the extension as well as the name in this case. Dynomite! Deluxe's configuration was reused in various other games.

Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown Deluxe (originally released in 2006)
Normal executable: 'FeedingFrenzyTwo.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Feeding Frenzy 2's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Feeding Frenzy 2 Deluxe/')
Notes: Feeding Frenzy 2 Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe, but with the fixed filename from Bejeweled's configuration.

Gyromancer (originally released in 2009)
Not sure about this one. I do not have it. It came out in the same year as Plants vs. Zombies though, so it is certainly possible. If anybody owns it and wants to test it and could post their findings in the discussion that would be very nice.

Hammer Heads Deluxe (originally released in 2006)
Normal executable: 'HammerHeads.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Hammer Heads' installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Hammer Heads Deluxe/')
Notes: Hammer Heads Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe, but with the fixed filename from Bejeweled's configuration.

Heavy Weapon Deluxe (originally released in 2005)
Normal executable: 'Heavy Weapon Deluxe.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Heavy Weapon's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Heavy Weapon Deluxe/')
Notes: Heavy Weapon Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe, but with the fixed filename from Bejeweled's configuration.

Iggle Pop! Deluxe (originally released in 2006)
Normal executable: 'IgglePop.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Iggle Pop's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Iggle Pop Deluxe/')
Notes: Iggle Pop Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe, but with the fixed filename from Bejeweled's configuration.

Insaniquarium! Deluxe (originally released in 2004)
Normal executable: 'Insaniquarium.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\Insaniquarium\'
Notes: Insaniquarium! Deluxe uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe. Considering that this game can get laggy even on Windows in the more hectic levels, I highly recommend performing the executable replacement on this title regardless of operating system, just for the performance boost.

Peggle Deluxe (originally released in 2007)
Normal executable: 'Peggle.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\Peggle\'
Notes:Peggle Deluxe uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

Peggle Extreme (originally released in 2007)
Normal executable: 'PeggleExtreme.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PeggleExtreme\'
Notes: Peggle Extreme uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

Peggle Nights (originally released in 2008)
Normal executable: 'PeggleNights.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PeggleNights\'
Notes: Peggle Nights uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

Pizza Frenzy (originally released in 2005)
Normal executable: 'PizzaFrenzy.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Pizza Frenzy's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Pizza Frenzy/')
Notes: Pizza Frenzy uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe, but with the fixed filename from Bejeweled's configuration.

Plants vs. Zombies: Game of the Year Edition (originally released in 2009, GOTY edition in 2010)
Normal executable: 'PlantsVsZombies.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PlantsVsZombies\'
Notes: Plants vs. Zombies: Game of the Year Edition uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe. As far as I know this is identical in the original version of the game. This game has well-known lag issues on Proton. Replacing the executable fixes this. Steam Achievements still function even after the replacement.

Rocket Mania! Deluxe (originally released in 2003)
Normal executable: 'RocketMania.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Rocket Mania's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Rocket Mania Deluxe/')
Notes: Rocket Mania! Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe, but with the fixed filename from Bejeweled's configuration.

Talismania Deluxe (originally released in 2006)
Normal executable: 'Talismania.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Talismania's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Talismania Deluxe/')
Notes: Talismania Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe, but with the fixed filename from Bejeweled's configuration.

Typer Shark! Deluxe (originally released in 2003)
Normal executable: 'WinTS.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In Typer Shark's installation folder (in your steamapps folder under 'common/Typer Shark Deluxe/')
Notes: Typer Shark Deluxe uses the same alternate configuration used by Dynomite! Deluxe, but with the fixed filename from Bejeweled's configuration.

Venice Deluxe (originally released in 2007)
Normal executable: 'Venice.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\Venice\'
Notes: Venice Deluxe uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

The Wizard's Pen (originally released in 2008)
Normal executable: 'WizardsPen.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\The Wizard's Pen\'
Notes: The Wizard's Pen uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

Zuma Deluxe (originally released in 2004)
Normal executable: 'Zuma.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\Zuma\'
Notes: Zuma Deluxe uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

Zuma's Revenge (originally released in 2009)
Normal executable: 'ZumasRevenge.exe'
True executable: 'popcapgame1.exe'
True executable location: In 'C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\ZumasRevenge\'
Notes: Zuma's Revenge uses the same standard configuration as Bejeweled Deluxe.

The guide is over. Feel free to comment, offer some constructive criticism, or point out typos. I hope this guide is helpful to you.

Version History:

• 19/08/2025: Version 1.0: Guide published.
  
• 25/08/2025: Version 1.01: Guide updated with information on issues fixed via this method. (See "Benefits")