How can I run Rise of Nations on Windows 7?

The following is assuming you are using the disk based version of the game. 'Open' the games disk

and look for a file titled secdrv.sys, which I believe Rise of Nations will have. If this file is there read on.

"they said that my Windows 7 machine may have updated itself to the point where it will no longer

recognize this game program."

Classic 'support' response. May have, indeed. Windows recognises the game alright.

But there is a bigger issue of MS playing dictator.

• Beginning with Win10 MS has introduced a so called security update the blocks DRM on old disk based games.

There is supposed to be a security risk in a file titled secdrv.sys.

 - Since the release of Win10 they have been subversively installing DRM blocking onto Win7/8/8.1 machines.

On Win7 you need to look for Windows update - KB3086255

What makes this whole thing play out more like MS wanting to make disks redundant so they and their buddies

at other download sites sell more games is the game will install, and only gets blocked on the disk check.

• If anyone can explain how a malware is supposed to get installed on a games disk I would be very interested in

learning how this is done. DRM blocking allows a game to be installed from disk, but then reads the  disk

when blocking... 

• What angers me the most is MS did not have the courtesy to include an error message that is descriptive of

what is being done. The most common error is to run Compatibility or use 'run as admin'.

This has many thousands of people running around in circles, or doing as MS likely intends -

give up and buy the game on line.

With Win7 you have three options to circumvent MS's extortion attempt ...

• Uninstall  KB3086255
• My personal favorite, and something I have done for many years due to various issues with DRM,

is use a noCD patch/hack.  ----here----

(Endless disk check loops or not being compatible with 64bit OS's among them.  Not

liking to have to use the disk is the main motivator though.)

• You can disable/enable DRM blocking using commands - (the safest option if you are not also cynical

regarding MS labeling  secdrv.sys as a potential security threat.)

MS15-097: Description of the security update for the graphics component in Windows: September 8, 2015

Note that MS has also been subverting peoples wish not to 'upgrade' to Win10 by automatically starting

the process via automatic Windows updates.

If you wish to stay on Win7 take the precaution of doing only manual updates.

Also know that in their dictatorial push to get everyone on Win10 that there will likely be new updates

that will need to be vetted before installing.

This link is to a discussion on the above topic, and includes a registry fix , as well as updates to avoid,

and other details.

Windows Update No Longer Available, Forces Windows 7 to 10 Upgrade - Microsoft Community

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