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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.
I'm not very technical, but my son is sad about not having his former game now. I have to decide if we go back to Windows7 within the 30 days or if there is a hope.
It is possible to have a virtuell machine with Windows7 on my Windows10 such that the secdrv.sys works? Or is the underlying Windows10 than the master for accessing the CD-drive?
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So why upgrade to windows 10... for that matter why build a new pc and get windows 10???
Does Microsoft realize a very large portion of PC users at this point are gamers?
Not only does this kill the desire for me to continue using the PC, it also sets me down the thought of taking my xbox one and dumping it in the trash.
I mean the games I bought on disc can't run without the disc in the drive.
This is beyond unacceptable.
So, my PC is for gaming, I'll be "correcting" this issue that MS has created for me and completely opening it up on my PC, instead of MS providing a better secured product.
To quote MS own words,
Non-Affected Software
| Operating System |
|---|
| Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 |
| Windows Server 2003 for Itanium-based Systems |
| Windows Vista |
| Windows Vista x64 Edition |
So, windows 10 is inferior to windows vista?
What I would really like to see-
better information
Macrovision appears to have changed names to ROVI, and Safedisc is completely removed from any credible source on the web.
I'm guessing a good portion of this was beyond MS control, but when I buy a game for my Xbox One, and it REQUIRES the disc in the drive, I have no doubts there is a fair solution beyond a smack in my face.
Perhaps even something as simple as a compatibility mode option that requires the windows credentials to activate on a shortcut.
Then at least its only active on the shortcut, and if you really wanted to get secure, require the credentials each time its launched, at least that makes it possible to use the software that is now defunct thanks to Scandisc being hacked out of existence.
Find a solution, please, it can't be that hard.
Adam,
Thanks for the detailed info.
I attempted your suggested workaround on the latest release of Win 10 Pro x64, and there is no change - first the 'permissions' alert, then when run as admin, - nothing. Event log now shows:
"The SecDrv service failed to start due to the following error:
Windows cannot verify the digital signature for this file. A recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source."
That is a difference in symptoms from the originating post (and pre-dseo application) but the result is the same.
I wonder if Microsoft saw your workaround and then put logic in a Win 10 update to defeat it. Since they will say nothing other than "When Macrovision updates their driver for Windows 10...." which is BS. Macrovision, - at least the part that deals with SecureDisk copy protection - doesn't exist anymore in any way that anyone could request such an update to be made. So, it appears the speculation that this is a Microsoft attempt to up its App Store sales is correct.
Easy to install by kids and than they couldn't play their games :-( !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
