Microsoft update KB3086255 disables Macrovision's Safedisc DRM on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 computers, making it impossible to start hundreds of old games. Previously we reported that Microsoft removed support for SecuRom and Safedisc from Windows 10 which also caused old games to no longer work on Microsoft's latest OS.
Now also on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 older games won't start because Microsoft also removed support for Safedisc from these operating systems. The affected KB3086255 was released on the 8th of September as part of Microsoft's regular patch releases. But after the update users started to complain that some games didn't work any longer, such as Sim City 4.
Games that are copy protected by Safedisc will no longer work on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 because, according to Microsoft, "the update turns off the service for the secdrv.sys driver."
In another sentence Microsoft also explains it can cause issues, as the company writes, "this may affect the ability to run some older games."
The secdrv.sys is the driver of Safedisc which checks whether a gamer has inserted an original CD/DVD, if the software detects a copied game, the game doesn't start. But now Microsoft turned off secdrv.sys by default most games won't run anyway. Original games run from CD/DVD that are protected by Safedisc simply don't want to start anymore.
Fortunately Microsoft does offer a fix, by starting a command prompt as Administrator and typing 'sc start secdrv' the service is loaded again and Safedisc protected games should play again.
