Windows 10

Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system won't be able to play some older PC games which utilise certain kinds of DRM (digital rights management), such as Microsoft's own SafeDisc and versions of SecuROM, according to a new report.

"Everything that ran in Windows 7 should also run in Windows 10. There are just two silly exceptions: antivirus software and stuff that's deeply embedded into the system." said Microsoft's Boris Schneider, speaking to Rocket Beans TV at Gamescom and translated by Rock Paper Shotgun.

"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. We can just not support that if it's a possible danger for our users. There are a couple of patches from developers already, and there is stuff like GOG where you'll find versions of those games that work."

Hundreds of games will be affected by this unfortunate by-product of the OS's security measures, with neither Microsoft nor SafeDisk willing to fix the problem.

Speaking to PCGamesHardware.de (again translated by RPS) SafeDisk said: "SafeDisc DRM hasn't been supported for a few years now, and the driver has consequently not been updated for some time. Microsoft should have migrated the existing software since Windows 8. We don't know if that's still possible with Windows 10 or if they simply didn't care about it."

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