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The Sims 1 doesn't run on Windows 10 + Windows Vista-8.1 w/security update
WinMacSims3
Posts: 1,610 Member
It's not only Windows 10 that has that problem, apparently Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 also have issues with The Sims 1 not launching.
The reason The Sims 1 won't run on Windows 10 is because Windows 10 no longer supports games that use SafeDisc or SecuROM DRM and that includes The Sims. However, The Sims 2 and The Sims Stories seem to work even on Windows 10 and even previous versions of Windows with the update. Not only does Windows 10 have the problem but also older Windows versions. According to the article on Rock Paper Shotgun, it's said that there's a security update that disables the SECDRV.SYS file preventing older games from working. For Windows Vista through Windows 8.1, only SafeDisc games are affected.
However, I've read on the Microsoft Knowledge Base article that there's a trick to re-enable the driver to allow The Sims to work. Keep in mind that this will only work on Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. If you have Windows 10, this will not work as Windows 10 doesn't include the SECDRV.SYS driver.
MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015
One method is either using the Command Prompt.
Alternatively, you can also modify the registry explained in the article linked above. Please be careful when modifying the registry.
If done correctly, The Sims 1 should now start. I tested this on Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit and The Sims 1 does work. I don't know if this works for Windows 7 through Windows 8.1 since people say The Sims 1 has problems on those versions of Windows but if you're not on Windows 10 and The Sims 1 doesn't work, hope this helps you. The Sims 2 and The Sims Stories seem to be unaffected by the update.
The reason The Sims 1 won't run on Windows 10 is because Windows 10 no longer supports games that use SafeDisc or SecuROM DRM and that includes The Sims. However, The Sims 2 and The Sims Stories seem to work even on Windows 10 and even previous versions of Windows with the update. Not only does Windows 10 have the problem but also older Windows versions. According to the article on Rock Paper Shotgun, it's said that there's a security update that disables the SECDRV.SYS file preventing older games from working. For Windows Vista through Windows 8.1, only SafeDisc games are affected.
Now Microsoft have released a security patch that also removes support for the Safedisc DRM from Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.
However, I've read on the Microsoft Knowledge Base article that there's a trick to re-enable the driver to allow The Sims to work. Keep in mind that this will only work on Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. If you have Windows 10, this will not work as Windows 10 doesn't include the SECDRV.SYS driver.
MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015
One method is either using the Command Prompt.
- Any version of Windows: Click Start, type cmd.exe, right click on it and click Run as Administrator.
- Windows 8.1: Right click the Start button or press Windows + X and look for Command Prompt (Admin).
- To disable the driver, type: sc config secdrv start= disabled
- To set the driver's service to manual, type: sc config secdrv start= demand
- To enable the driver's service (and to set it to automatic), type: sc config secdrv start=auto
- To manually start the driver's service, type: sc start secdrv
- To manually stop the driver's service, type: sc stop secdrv
Alternatively, you can also modify the registry explained in the article linked above. Please be careful when modifying the registry.
- Click Start, Run, and type regedit on the Open box, and then click OK.
- Locate and click the following subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\secdrv
- Right click Start and click Modify.
- In the Value data box, type one of the numbers in bold.
- Type 4 to disable the driver's service, type 3 to set the driver's service to manual, or type 2 to set the driver's service to automatic and then click OK.
- Exit Registry Editor.
If done correctly, The Sims 1 should now start. I tested this on Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit and The Sims 1 does work. I don't know if this works for Windows 7 through Windows 8.1 since people say The Sims 1 has problems on those versions of Windows but if you're not on Windows 10 and The Sims 1 doesn't work, hope this helps you. The Sims 2 and The Sims Stories seem to be unaffected by the update.
Origin ID: GothicSimmer, YouTube: GothicSimmer
Post edited by WinMacSims3 on
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