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Hello,
I have discovered an unfortunate problem with Windows 10.
Many games from the early-mid 2000's used Macrovision's SafeDisc (version 2) as a means of copy protection. At game startup, Windows loaded SECDRV.SYS to verify an original game disc was in the drive, after which the game would start.
When you try to run ANY game which uses this SafeDisc form of copy protection in Windows 10, the following happens:
- You get an error window that tells you to log in with Administrator Privileges and to try again. This happens on any account, even those with Administrator access. The game fails to start.
- If you then set "Run as Admin" compatibility mode on the game's startup file, the message disappears, but the game doesn't start.
- Keeping a window open for C:\WINDOWS\SYSWOW64\DRIVERS shows SECDRV.SYS appearing at the moment you try to start the game. Based on its size, it appears to be the file that is present on the game disc (tested across several games), even though I see no disc activity and cannot find the file elsewhere on my system.
- The Windows event log shows that SECDRV.SYS failed to load.
- This happens both with an upgraded install (Windows 8.1 > Windows 10) and with a fresh Windows 10 install, with one of the games being installed immediately upon the fresh install completing.
- On my Windows 64-bit 8.1 system, C:\WINDOWS\WINSXS has a folder called amd64_macrovision-protection-safedisc_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.16384_none_4e6b3758913c9240 with a SECDRV.SYS in it, presumably the one that ships with Windows. Windows 10 had such a folder in early builds, but it is missing from the release build. It appears SafeDisc support is missing entirely.
OTHER TESTING I HAVE DONE:
- I updated one of the games to a version that no longer required the CD check, and it started immediately and ran perfectly once the check was removed. However, this is possible only with a very limited number of games, or resorting to fixes that violate the game's EULA or put the user's system security at risk.
- I tried disabling driver signature verification and installing one of the games again; same problem.
- Multiple compatibility modes; same problem. XP (Service Pack 3) mode and / or Run as Administrator mode make the error message go away, but the games still fail to launch.
SIGNIFICANCE:
Unless this is fixed in Windows 10, a massive catalog of older games will cease to function in Windows 10 for the simple reason that they cannot pass the SafeDisc copy protection check. I am accustomed to some games breaking with every new version of Windows as technology progresses (for example, the loss of the ability to run 16-bit programs in 64-bit Windows), but this seems to be an unnecessarily harsh change.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
STEVE BARTER, YOU DA MAN!!!!!
Do it as he says, it works!
I'm wondering if this is an update or not in Windows 10? If it's an update in windows 10, I will upgrade, and remove KB3086255. If a part of windows 10. I'll sit back here in Windows 7 thank you!
Thanks for a solution.
Go into your windows updates. Uninstall KB3086255. This will allow you to play your games again. Each time you shut down your computer and then start again (if you intend to play a game) you will need to uninstall the update as it is continually resent. Once the update is uninstalled you will be prompted to restart. You need to do this in order to complete the uninstall. Then you will be in good shape. Hope this helps. It should. It is the update (I discovered here on this site) which prevents playing the games. My "Age of Empires" works just perfect now.
Steve Barter
Go into your windows updates. Uninstall KB3086255. This will allow you to play your games again. Each time you shut down your computer and then start again (if you intend to play a game) you will need to uninstall the update as it is continually resent. Once the update is uninstalled you will be prompted to restart. You need to do this in order to complete the uninstall. Then you will be in good shape. Hope this helps. It should. It is the update (I discovered here on this site) which prevents playing the games. My "Age of Empires" works just perfect now.
Steve Barter
Same thing with me. I bought a new Windows 8.1. system, loaded a few of my older games and initially they worked fine. Then they stopped working. I can only presume that an auto Windows update broke it. I've since updated to Windows 10 but, of course, the problem continues.
you might try restoring to factory settings Win 8.1 then disable all updates so the updates which disables secdrv isn't installed. Otherwise your stuck like the rest of us.
There is a way to temporarily enable secdrv in Win 7/8 it is posted else ware in forum
Same thing with me. I bought a new Windows 8.1. system, loaded a few of my older games and initially they worked fine. Then they stopped working. I can only presume that an auto Windows update broke it. I've since updated to Windows 10 but, of course, the problem continues.
