Set keep aspect ratio in video driver. Turn off any vg-sync's. Set maximum performance power mode and NV\amd card as default device.

Even if there is fps limiter separated form *-sync, better keep it un-touched - by 3d application - and install RivaTuner. Not MSI Afterburn, but RivaTuner - pay attention which one site and which one app you download.
If you already have MSI Afterburner installer - uninstall it.
In downloaded RTSS add game exe(s) (not the laucnher, unfortunatly RTSS cannot handle it for 'daughter-process' and you need add each exe files separately). Limit fps there to some specific one. Cant say for sure which one is should b maximum.

If you have any exntended settings (aspect ratio, g-sync, any 'enhancer's) in display device (gaming monitor, TV) experiment with them.

After all that you need experiment in launcher setting (or in dxcfg.exe directly). Do not turn off aspect ratio correction, turn off vsync, experiment with screen and resolution modes (for start try 'by application' options).

Uncheck any compatiibility modes (exe properties). Experiment only with fullscreen optimisation checkbox on\off. This one worked for daughter process, so uncheck everything from all exe files and for experimenting do options enabld back only for main launcher.
If your UI scale for Windows is more than 125% - maybe try some DPI scaling options there in exe proeprties. Better lower UI scale, i guess.

MSI Afterburner not he only one overlay-app that can cause problems. Close every ones not needed apps. Especially ones lokks like part of the drivers (which ones are not actually). Like LogiOptions, Acer\Asus\etc Tools, Nahilim App and more and more names for PC manufacter apps, sound apps, Nvidia Experience (not a Control panel), or input devices apps.

If nothing help:
- check game pages on GOG Support site for all 3 Blizzard games here (Diablo too);
- check PCGW articles for Wc1-2;
- check PCGW Troubleshooting guide
[url=http://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Series:Warcraft]http://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Series:Warcraft[/url]
http://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Troubleshooting_guide

Have you managed to fix it? I also have this now OUT OF NOWHERE!!!

EDIT:
I have fixed the issue. I have reinstalled my graphics card driver (AMD) and it now works once again flawless.
EDIT2:
Funny enough... it seems I still have the issue. Sometimes when I launch the game it does not have the issue, sometime it does have and no matter how many times I restart it.. the stuttering still won't go away. One day later, I launch the game it works again. I have no idea what causes the issue.

I wanted to update this because I'm also experiencing lag and stutters on my machine when playing the "enhanced" version of the game. Here are my specs:

+ Core i5-8400 (4 core, 8 thread)
+ 16GB RAM
+ Windows 10 pro
+ Nvidia Quadro P1000 mobile

Laptop is a Dell Precision 7530.

None of the suggested fixes above worked. What *did* work for me was this:

- Set CPU affinity to use only one core using the task manager. For those who aren't aware, this tells Windows to only use the selected cores to run the application. It seems that Warcraft 2 BNE DX (that's what the "enhanced" version's runtime is called) doesn't like more than one core. At least on my system.

So either you write a script to start the game using CPU affinity or just default back to playing "Classic" Warcraft 2 BNE. Classic doesn't have any of the stuttering, the "Enhanced" version does. Hope this helps someone.

I cannot post links but you can google how to make a script to do this pretty easily.

Also note - turning off Hyperthreading did NOT work. The game stuttered and sputtered on my CPU regardless of hyperthreading being enabled or disabled.

EDIT - I also wanted to note that my other computer, which is a desktop sporting a Core i5-3570, does NOT have this problem. Not sure why but only my newer architecture has this issue.

Maybe some overlay applications... Nahimic MSI afterburner, input devices additional apps... NV GF Expierence too.

I found that launching from Warcraft II BNE_dx in the game directory, rather than the launch tool, seems to fix the problem for me.

using the 'launch warcraft II' shortcut and choosing warcraft II enhanced always leaves my game stuttering and running poorly.

Using the dxcfg application and disabling aspect ratio correction still affects Warcraft II BNE_dx, so the game will run 16:9 still.