SECDRV.SYS Not Loading in Windows 10; this will break thousands of older games.

Anonymous
2015-08-01T20:13:40+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Gaming

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.

0 comments

293 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-09T09:19:08+00:00

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  3. Anonymous
    2015-09-09T10:11:49+00:00

    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?

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-09-09T11:16:44+00:00

    I tried the signing as well, I'm thinking WMCOLE is correct, they have put in place something to ensure secdrv.sys is disabled everytime windows restarts.

    If such is the case, the only work around besides a dual boot setup with an older version of windows, is to purchase the game through an online portal like steam and play it through there where it doesn't require a cd.

    (or digging through the waste of malware and viruses to find a no cd hack, which even if you have the cd is not legal)

    No doubt at some point a virtual windows 7 will be available somewhere, but I still don't see secdrv ever seeing the light of day.

    Not only has Microsoft made an enormous attempt to see its demise, it's my belief that Macrovision changed their name to RIVO in an effort to shed responsibility for older software that is now ravaged by malware and viruses.

    (I could be wrong)

    This of course, is not necessarily just to leave the full burden on companies that publish a new OS to deal with the pieces, but there are some clever alternatives to just shutting the software out, like I posted above.

    We can only hope MS is willing to listen, as the older software may be old, but there is still enough that is valid, enough that they really need to address it.  Users will find a way around it anyway, and they will spend more time plugging those holes, than if they just create a solution.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-09-09T18:44:57+00:00

    I suggest trying to move games to Steam or Origin or uPlay depending on who the publisher is

    uPlay has removed all the DRM from their games so they will generally run ok on any machine

    Steam has not been a problem, Origin has had issues but that was due the browser changes

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments