You have today:
During the lifecycle of Quake 3, id Software officially removed the CD-ROM requirement in later updates. Step-by-Step Installation
The most reliable, legitimate way to remove the CD requirement is to update your game to the final official patch, version 1.32c. quake 3 arena no cd patch top
If you are looking for the absolute top way to run Quake 3 Arena without a CD in the modern era, . Instead, rely on these clean, safe options:
Start the game immediately without finding the disk. You have today: During the lifecycle of Quake
By updating your vintage retail installation to the final stable release, you completely eradicate the need for a physical disc. How to disable CD Key Check before :q3: 1.09 multiplayer
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. Instead, rely on these clean, safe options: Start
Download the small quake3-1.32c zip file. This contains the final official executable updates.
Quake 3 Arena No-CD Patch: How to Run the Game Without a Disc