Skip to main content

Games with SafeDisc or Securom DRM won’t run on Windows 10

Windows 10 is still new, as far as major operating system upgrades go. As such, there are still new issues popping up every so often. A new one is causing older disc-based games to break without complicated workarounds. The DRMs in question are SafeDisc or Securom DRM, both of which Microsoft is blocking from working with the new OS, as reported by RockPaperShotgun.

There are quite a few games affected by these DRM services being blocked — hundreds according to initial reports. Some popular titles are in the mix such as the original The Sims, Grand Theft Auto 3, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, and Crimson Skies.

Recommended Videos

First instincts are to blame Microsoft for not letting players have access to certain games, but as it turns out, these DRM systems — especially SafeDisc — are not very secure anymore due to lack of support from the companies that made them, and Microsoft blocking them could actually protect users from security flaws.

The issue seems fairly widespread, with Microsoft even mentioning it at Gamescom this year. Microsoft’s Boris Schneider-Johne says (translated from original German):

“… and then there are old games on CD-Rom that have DRM. This DRM stuff is also deeply embedded in your system, and that’s where Windows 10 says ‘sorry, we cannot allow that, because that would be a possible loophole for computer viruses.’ That’s why there are a couple of games from 2003-2008 with Securom, etc. that simply don’t run without a no-CD patch or some such.”

Users on Microsoft’s support forums are also posting about the issues saying that the SafeDisc issue specifically refers to the SECDRV.SYS file not being present in Windows 10.

The ways in which users can get around these issues is to look for a no-CD crack — which is probably less safe than the DRM itself — by dual-booting into an older version of Windows, purchasing the game again from a digital distributor, or safe-signing the DRM themselves. None of these options are as ideal as simply placing the game in the drive, installing, and playing.

While it makes sense that Microsoft would want to keep users safe by getting rid of DRM that hasn’t been updated in years, it’s also a grim reminder that restrictive DRM can be harmful in the long term as well as annoying in the short term.

Dave LeClair
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Dave LeClair has been writing about tech and gaming since 2007. He's covered events, hosted podcasts, created videos, and…
What’s next in December 2024? 7 upcoming games you won’t want to miss
A team of heroes in Marvel Rivals.

While December is typically a quiet month for new video games, this year is particularly packed. Many high-profile games -- many of which are tied to well-known franchises like Marvel, Indiana Jones, and Power Rangers -- are coming out just in time for the holidays. It's not just the big IPs that you need to keep an eye on, though; games like Infinity Nikki also have a chance to become some of 2024's biggest breakout hits.

To help you keep track of all the video games coming out in the last month of 2024, I'm spotlighting the biggest games that you should be keeping an eye on.
Delta Force (December 5)
Delta Force | PC Open Beta - NEW Operations Map & Mode Teaser Trailer

Read more
Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: Is it finally time to update?
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 sitting on a table.

Windows 11 is the newest version of Windows, and it's one of the best Windows versions ever released. It draws on its predecessors, like Windows 10, but today it's very much its own operating system, with a unique look, advanced features, and the most secure and stable platform for modern Windows application.

If you've been holding out on upgrading, or aren't running the latest version, we have everything you need to know about the most recent version of Windows 11.
Windows 11 2024 update (24H2)
The latest version of Windows 11, is the 2024 update known as 24H2. It initially rolled out to Windows Insiders in February 2024, but has since been released to the wider Windows user base starting October 1. It introduced a number of new and enhanced features to Windows, improving its fundamentals, as well as adding new capabilities, especially those running it on Copilot+ PCs and laptops.

Read more
You have one year to safely use Windows 10 before you’ll need to pay
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.

Microsoft will be allowing consumers to join its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for the first time next year, and it announced the program pricing today in a blog post. The official end-of-service date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, but by paying $30 to join the ESU program, you can receive an extra year of security updates. This will allow you to continue safely using Windows 10 until around October 2026, a full two years from now.

By the time support for Windows 10 ends, it will be almost exactly four years since Windows 11 launched and a decade since Windows 10 launched. It takes a lot of work to keep an operating system secure and running smoothly, which is why a company like Microsoft can't just endlessly support every version of Windows it's ever shipped. It would end up costing a lot more money than it made -- and that's not how businesses function.

Read more