You will need to enable DirectPlay to run older Windows games. If you didn’t have this Windows feature activated you get an error message “An app on your PC needs the following Windows feature DirectPlay.”
DirectPlay in Windows is a part of DirectX that creates a link between multiple players in a game. Primarily DirectPlay enables the players to use multiplayer functionality to run games that predate 2008 in Windows 10 PC.
Since Microsoft abandoned DirectPlay and decided to roll out games for Windows Live, enabling DirectPlay is no longer required to play modern PC games.
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What is DirectPlay in Windows 10?
DirectPlay is a core API library linked with DirectX to run 2D and 3D graphics in games. Its main role is to act as a network communicator allowing PC games to connect to the internet to find game sessions for players.
With this feature installed and enabled, you can easily join a multiplayer gaming session that you have left earlier.
After the release of modern games using Windows Live, DirectPlay has become a depreciated feature. If you still want to run an aged multiplayer game then you will need to enable DirectPlay on Windows 10.
How to install and enable DirectPlay on Windows 10
Follow these steps if you want to play classic games on Windows 10.
- Press Windows + R and type control appwiz.cpl to open Control Panel.
- From the left side click on the Turn Windows features on or off.
- A new window will appear to find out Legacy Components and click the (+) plus icon.
- Tick the DirectPlay
- Click the OK button.
- Restart your computer.
Now that you have enabled DirectPlay in Windows 10 try to play games.
How to fix DirectPlay Errors on Windows 10
In case you have already enabled DirectPlay on Windows 10 and you are still getting an error such as error code 0x80073701 or app on your PC need the following Windows feature: DirectPlay.
Then follow these steps to fix them.
Fix 1. Disable Antivirus Software to Install DirectPlay
Users confirmed that if you have third-party software installed on your PC then it won’t let you install DirectPlay on your PC.
All you need is to disable the antivirus program temporarily install DirectPlay on Windows 10 and then restart the game in question.
Fix 2. Run Game in Compatibility Mode
In case you still can’t run the game even though you have enabled DirectPlay on Windows 10, then try running the game in compatibility mode.
Windows 10 has a built-in option to run old games that are originally developed for older Windows OS.
To run games in compatibility mode, follow these steps;
- Navigate where you have installed the game and locate its launcher (.exe).
- Right-click on it to open Prosperities > Compatibility Tab.
- Under Compatibility mode check box “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”
- From the drop-down menu and select an older version of Windows.
- Also make sure that you have checked the “Run this program as an administrator” option as well.
- Click OK and try launching the game again.
Fix 3. Use Program Compatibility Troubleshooter
Follow these steps;
- Type compatibility in the search box.
- Select Run for Programs made for earlier versions of Windows option to open.
- Click Advanced and select the Run as administrator option, then press the Next button.
- Then select a listed game, or select Not Listed, click Next and press the Browse button to select a game to fix.
- After selecting a game, press the Next button to go through the troubleshooter ‘s resolutions.
Is It Still Safe to Install DirectPlay?
There’s no harm in installing DirectPlay on Windows 10. You may already have that in the shape of DirectX.
Can I download DirectPlay Offline Installer?
No, you can’t download DirectPlay offline installer from third-party sites. There’s only one way and that is to download this feature using the Windows Control Panel Feature.
How to Remove DirectPlay from Windows 10
To remove DirectPlay, you need to follow the same steps that you have used to enable DirectPlay on Windows 10.
- Open Control Panel Search and click on Turn Windows feature On or Off.
- Locate the Legacy Components box and expand it.
- Uncheck the box from DirectPlay
- Click the OK button.
- Restart your computer.
