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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 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
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.
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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 :-( !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
