Microsoft Update Renders Many Old Game Discs Unusable

Microsoft’s latest security update (Update 3086255) for Windows Vista, 7 and 8 appears to stop game disks that use Safedisc DRM from working.

This isn’t the first time that game discs using an older type of DRM were rendered unusable on a windows platform, as Windows 10 doesn’t support discs running SecuROM, which were still usable on older versions of windows.

Although this form of DRM has not been used in games for a while, it could still cause problems for those who still have their treasured collection of PC game discs. According to the update report:

“[The update] addresses a defence-in-depth update for the secdrv.sys driver, a third-party driver.” It then explains how it addresses that problem: “The update turns off the service for the secdrv.sys driver. This may affect the ability to run some older games.”

Microsoft have released a guide on how to get these games working with the update, see it below:

After you install this security update, some programs may not run. (For example, some video games may not run.) To work around this issue, you can temporarily turn on the service for the secdrv.sys driver by running certain commands, or by editing the registry.

Note When you no longer require the service to be running, we recommend that you turn off the service again.

Warning This workaround may make a computer or a network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We do not recommend this workaround but are providing this information so that you can implement this workaround at your own discretion. Use this workaround at your own risk.

To do this, type the following commands at an elevated command prompt. You should press Enter after you type each command.

  • To disable the driver’s service, type the following command:
    sc config secdrv start= disabled
  • To set the driver’s service to manual, type the following command:
    sc config secdrv start= demand
  • To enable the driver’s service (and to set it to automatic), type the following command:
    sc config secdrv start=auto
  • To manually start the driver’s service, type the following command:
    sc start secdrv
  • To manually stop the driver’s service, type the following command:
    sc stop secdrv

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

Or, you can edit the registry directly. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.

  2. Locate and then click the following subkey in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicessecdrv
  3. Right-click Start, and then click Modify.

  4. In the Value data box, do one of the following:

    • Type 4 to disable the driver’s service, and then click OK.
    • Type 3 to set the driver’s service to manual, and then click OK.
    • Type 2 to set the driver’s service to automatic, and then click OK.
  5. Exit Registry Editor.

Let us know what you think about the update in the comments below, and don’t forget to check with GameLuster for the latest gaming news.

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