Microsoft Squashes SafeDisc DRM in Windows Vista, 7, and 8

Say goodbye to SafeDisc

With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft effectively dropped the ban hammer on SafeDisc, one of the most hated forms of digital rights management (DRM). That same courtesy has now been extended to Windows Vista (SP2), Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.

"This security bulletin addresses a defense-in-depth update for the secdrv.sys driver, a third-party driver. The update turns off the service for the secdrv.sys driver," Microsoft explains.

At the same time, getting rid of SafeDisc DRM "may affect the ability to run some older games." That's an unfortunate side effect, though Microsoft provided instructions on how to get those older titles running again.

To run an older game that requires SafeDisc, you'll need to fire up an elevated Command Prompt and manually start the driver's service. Here are the steps to do that:

1. Click the Start button and search for Command Prompt. When it appears, right-click and select Run as administrator.
2. Type "sc start secdrv" (no quotes) and hit enter.
3. When you're finished playing your game, go back into the Command Prompt and type "sc stop secdrv" to disable SafeDisc.

Another way to restore SafeDisc is through the registry. The steps are as follows:

1. Click Start > Run and type regedit in the Open box. Click OK.
2. Navigate to HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\secdrv
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 5 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.

As always, be careful when mucking around in the registry. Also be advised that by enabling SafeDisc, you leave your PC vulnerable to malicious attacks.

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