Если какая-то игра сообщает, что для работы её функций требуется DirectPlay, не торопитесь искать, где скачать эти компоненты в Интернете — подход к установке этого недостающего компонента совсем иной.
В этой простой инструкции для начинающих о том, как установить DirectPlay для Windows 10 или Windows 11 и почему их не требуется скачивать.
Установка DirectPlay в новых системах
Компоненты Microsoft DirectPlay могут требоваться для старых игр, но в новых ОС, таких как Windows 10 или Windows 11 по умолчанию отключены, хотя присутствуют и готовы к включению — то есть скачивать DirectPlay не требуется. Чтобы установить DirectPlay, выполните следующие простые шаги:
- Откройте панель управления и перейдите в раздел «Программы и компоненты» (чтобы он отображался, справа вверху в поле «Просмотр» установите «Значки»). Для открытия панели управления можно использовать поиск в панели задач Windows 10 и 11. Второй способ быстро открыть «Программы и компоненты» — нажать клавиши Win+R, ввести appwiz.cpl и нажать Enter.
- В окне со списком программ, слева нажмите по пункту «Включение или отключение компонентов Windows».
- В списке доступных компонентов найдите раздел «Компоненты прежних версий» (Legacy Components), а затем отметьте «DirectPlay» и нажмите «Ок».
В результате DirectPlay будет установлен на вашем компьютере или ноутбуке: обычно перезагрузка не требуется, но, если игра продолжает сообщать об отсутствии необходимых компонентов, попробуйте выполнить перезагрузку.
Дополнительный способ быстрой установки DirectPlay:
- Запустите командную строку от имени администратора
- Введите команду
dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:DirectPlay /All
и нажмите Enter
Видео инструкция
В завершение еще один момент: если игре требуется DirectPlay, не исключено что после включения компонентов она потребует и каких-то файлов от старых версий DirectX. Если этого произойдёт, скачайте веб-установщик DirectX с официального сайта Майкрософт https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/download/details.aspx?id=35 и он установит всё недостающее.
DirectPlay, a deprecated API part of Microsoft’s DirectX suite, primarily handles communication and multiplayer functionality in games. Even though it’s considered legacy technology, many classic games still rely on it. As new versions of Windows roll out, compatibility issues can arise, preventing these games from executing properly. This guide will detail how to install and enable DirectPlay on Windows 11 and Windows 10, ensuring you can indulge in those nostalgic gaming experiences.
What is DirectPlay?
DirectPlay is a network communication protocol designed for game developers to easily create multiplayer functionality in their games. Initially released in 1995, DirectPlay has been integrated into many popular titles over the years. However, Microsoft officially deprecated DirectPlay in favor of newer networking technologies, leaving it somewhat abandoned yet still in use for legacy applications.
Why Might You Need DirectPlay?
If you’re looking to play older PC games that were developed using DirectPlay but find that they won’t launch or seem to have issues with network connectivity, DirectPlay is likely the missing link. Some common symptoms indicating DirectPlay is required include error messages stating that the application cannot find the necessary components or that DirectPlay is not installed.
Checking Your Windows Version
Before proceeding, confirm your Windows version. The steps to install and enable DirectPlay differ slightly between Windows 10 and 11.
-
Windows 10
- Right-click the Start button and select «System.»
- Look under the «About» section. It will display your Windows version.
-
Windows 11
- Click on the Start menu and select «Settings.»
- In the Settings window, select «System» and navigate to «About.»
- Your Windows version will be shown in the «Windows specifications» section.
Installing DirectPlay on Windows 10 and Windows 11
DirectPlay isn’t included in Windows by default; however, it can be installed through the «Turn Windows features on or off» menu. Here’s how to go about it:
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Open Control Panel
- Windows 10: Right-click the Start button and select «Control Panel.»
- Windows 11: Right-click on the Start button and select «Settings,» then search for «Control Panel» in the search bar.
-
Navigate to Programs
- In the Control Panel, select «Programs.»
-
Access Windows Features
- In the Programs window, click on «Turn Windows features on or off.»
-
Locate Legacy Components
- In the Windows Features window, scroll down to find «Legacy Components.»
- Expand this option by clicking on the plus sign next to it.
-
Enable DirectPlay
- Inside Legacy Components, locate «DirectPlay» and check the box next to it.
- Click «OK» to confirm your changes.
-
Wait for Installation
- Windows will take a moment to install DirectPlay. The process may require a restart to complete. Ensure you save any ongoing work before proceeding.
-
Reboot Your Computer
- If prompted, restart your computer to complete the installation.
Confirming DirectPlay Installation
To verify that DirectPlay is successfully installed:
- Open the Control Panel again.
- Return to «Programs» and then «Turn Windows features on or off.»
- Under Legacy Components, check to ensure that the «DirectPlay» option is marked.
Troubleshooting Installation Issues
While the above steps work flawlessly in most cases, some users may encounter issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips you can follow:
-
Ensure Windows is Updated
- Installing the latest updates can solve various compatibility problems. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and make sure you have all the latest updates.
-
Run a System File Check
- Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted files:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click the Start button and select «Windows Terminal (Admin)»).
- Type
sfc /scannowand press Enter. Wait for the process to complete.
- Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted files:
-
Check for Additional Dependencies
- Some games that use DirectPlay may have other dependencies that need to be installed, such as specific versions of DirectX. Be sure to review any documentation provided with the game.
-
Reinstall the Game
- If the issue persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling the game that requires DirectPlay. On occasion, files associated with the game may be corrupted or incorrectly configured.
-
Compatibility Mode
- Sometimes running the game in compatibility mode can help. Right-click the game executable, select «Properties,» navigate to the «Compatibility» tab, and check «Run this program in compatibility mode for:» and choose an earlier version of Windows.
Configuring DirectPlay for Specific Games
After installing DirectPlay, you may need to configure specific games to utilize the DirectPlay features properly. Each game could have its own unique settings, but general approaches include:
-
Accessing Game Settings
- Most games offer a configuration utility or an options menu where you can adjust settings. Look for network or multiplayer settings where you can enable or tweak DirectPlay-related options.
-
Modifying Registry Entries
- In some instances, modifying the Windows registry may be necessary to ensure DirectPlay works correctly with the game.
- WARNING: Be very cautious when editing the registry. Backup your registry before making changes:
- Press
Win + R, typeregedit, and hit Enter. - Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftDirectPlay, and look for any settings related to your game. Refer to your game’s documentation for specific modifications.
- Press
-
Firewall and Security Software Configuration
- Make sure DirectPlay is not being blocked by your firewall or any security software.
- Go to your firewall settings and ensure that the game and DirectPlay are allowed to communicate through the network.
-
Using Third-Party Software
- If all else fails, several third-party applications can help in configuring older games to work on modern systems. Tools such as DgVoodoo, a wrapper for DirectX, can help in running legacy games by mimicking older graphics settings.
Alternatives to DirectPlay
If you find that DirectPlay cannot meet your expectations due to issues or you’re experiencing difficulties in enabling it, consider the following:
-
DirectX 12 APIs
- Many modern games have upgraded to use DirectX 12, which offers improved performance and broader compatibility. If the game has a remastered version or a patch, you might be able to use more recent forms of DirectX.
-
Steam or GOG Versions
- Gaming platforms such as Steam and GOG often provide updated versions of classic games that have addressed compatibility issues. If the game is available on such platforms, consider purchasing it to avoid the hassle of setting up DirectPlay.
-
Emulators
- Some older games can be played using emulators designed to run legacy software. Research looks into options best suited for the specific game you want to play.
-
Virtual Machines
- Setting up a virtual machine running an older version of Windows may be the ultimate solution for particularly troublesome titles requiring DirectPlay. Ensure that you have sufficient resources to allocate to this virtual environment.
Conclusion
Enabling DirectPlay on Windows 10 and 11 is a practical solution for gamers craving to revisit nostalgic titles that rely on legacy technologies. While the installation steps are straightforward, overcoming obstacles may require patience and additional configurations. By carefully following the outlined steps and employing troubleshooting methods, most users can successfully enable DirectPlay and enjoy their favorite classic games.
As a final note, always ensure你 your system is backed up, and maintain a watchful eye during installations and configurations. Happy gaming!
Все способы:
- Запуск старых игр в Виндовс 10
- Вариант 1: Права администратора и совместимость
- Вариант 2: Параметры экрана
- Вариант 3: Включение старого DirectX
- Заключение
- Вопросы и ответы: 5
Старые игровые проекты, которые принесли нам немало приятных впечатлений, к сожалению, уходят в прошлое. Это происходит не только из-за морального устаревания графики или выхода новых аналогов, а и по причине невозможности их запуска на актуальных версиях операционных систем. В этой статье мы приведем несколько вариантов решения проблемы со старыми играми в Windows 10.
Запуск старых игр в Виндовс 10
Причин, приводящих к невозможности запуска некоторых игр под Win 10, несколько, и все они имеют корни в несовместимости с программным обеспечением или компонентами системы. Также устаревшие проекты могут требовать особых режимов экрана, которые по умолчанию отключены в «десятке», или повышенных привилегий (прав).
Вариант 1: Права администратора и совместимость
Игры, выпущенные во времена Windows XP, по умолчанию требуют повышенных прав для старта и нормальной работы. Именно поэтому любые приложения, разработанные для «хрюши», необходимо запускать от имени администратора. Сделать это можно в контекстном меню «Проводника», но лучше выполнить одну настройку в свойствах файла.
- Кликаем правой кнопкой мыши по ярлыку игры (или исполняемому файлу с расширением EXE в папке установки) и переходим к свойствам.
- Идем на вкладку «Совместимость», устанавливаем флажок напротив соответствующей позиции и жмем «Применить».
Следующий шаг – выбор режима совместимости с предыдущими версиями «винды». Здесь можно действовать путем перебора вариантов или выяснить год выпуска проекта и сопоставить с актуальной на то время версией ОС. Всю нужную информацию можно найти в поисковых системах.
Ставим галку в разделе «Режим совместимости» и выбираем в выпадающем списке один из пунктов. Не забываем применить изменения.
Вариант 2: Параметры экрана
Устаревшие игры могут не работать из-за отсутствия поддержки установленного разрешения экрана, а также цветовой гаммы. Для настройки этих параметров на вкладке «Совместимость» есть несколько пунктов. Здесь трудно дать точный рецепт, так как все проекты разные, поэтому придется действовать «методом научного тыка». Попробуйте разные сочетания цветности и пониженного разрешения, отключите оптимизацию во весь экран.
Вариант 3: Включение старого DirectX
Дело в том, что установленный по умолчанию пакет 12 версии DirectX, может не содержать нужных для запуска устаревших игр компонентов предыдущих редакций. Для того чтобы они появились в системе, необходимо скачать и установить «DirectX End-User Runtimes». Обратите внимание, что это должен быть автономный установщик, содержащий все нужные файлы. В нашей ситуации пользоваться нужно только им, так как его веб-собрат непременно скажет, что все уже инсталлировано.
Скачать автономный пакет DirectX с официального сайта
- После нажатия на кнопку загрузки откроется следующая страница, на которой снимаем все галки и жмем кнопку, показанную на скриншоте.
- Запускаем инсталлятор и в стартовом окне нажимаем «Yes».
- Выбираем папку для распаковки файлов. Лучше создать ее заранее в любом удобном месте.
- Нажимаем ОК.
- Идем в папку и запускаем файл DXSETUP.exe от имени администратора.
- Принимаем условия соглашения.
- Жмем «Далее».
- Ждем завершения установки.
- Закрываем окно инсталлятора кнопкой «Готово».
- Для верности перезагружаем машину.
Далее необходимо скачать и установить еще один компонент.
- Вызываем параметры системы сочетанием клавиш Windows+I и переходим в раздел «Приложения».
- Открываем раздел управления дополнительными компонентами.
- Жмем «Добавить компонент».
- Выбираем «Инструменты для графики».
- Нажимаем «Установить».
- Дожидаемся окончания установки.
Теперь нужно проверить, включены ли устаревшие компоненты.
- Открываем системный поиск и пишем «Панель управления». Переходим к классическому приложению.
- Выбираем режим представления «Мелкие значки» и запускаем апплет «Программы и компоненты».
- Нажимаем на ссылку «Включение или отключение компонентов Windows», ищем папку «Legacy Components» (или «Компоненты прежних версий»), открываем ее и устанавливаем флажок возле «DirectPlay». Жмем ОК.
- Перезагружаем ПК.
Заключение
Чаще всего рекомендации, приведенные выше, работают только в комплексе, то есть все вместе. Если с их помощью не удалось исправить ситуацию с запуском, стоит поискать на просторах сети ресурсы, которые распространяют старые игры в цифровом виде. Такие установщики могут содержать специальные патчи для устранения несовместимости. Только помните об авторских правах разработчиков и издателей и ищите сайты с платным предоставлением продуктов, а также интересуйтесь правомерностью передачи вам как самих дистрибутивов, так и лицензионных ключей.
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Table of contents
- How to enable DirectPlay in Windows 10
- Initiate Windows Features
- Find DirectPlay from Legacy Components
- Enable DirectPlay
- Restart Your Computer
- How to install DirectPlay on Windows 11
- How to download DirectPlay
- How to fix my DirectPlay
- Temporarily Disable Your Anti-Virus Software Application
- Use Task Manager to Shut Down Anti-Virus Processes
- Re-Enable DirectPlay from Windows Features
- Use Command Prompt to Install DirectPlay with the No-Restart Option
- Use DirectPlay with Compatibility Mode
Windows has come a long way as a useful computer operating system (OS). Some of the best features of this OS have been further developed over the years. Others have long lost their usefulness and have been replaced by more efficient features. However, there are a few Windows features like DirectPlay that can still serve a purpose.
DirectPlay used to be one of the most important features on Windows, especially for gamers. The feature served as a multigame functionality and allowed more than one user to play the same game at the same time. In other words, with DirectPlay, two or more Windows users could play games together or against one another.
As DirectPlay is part of the Microsoft DirectX, it also boosts gameplay on Windows. As such, experienced Windows gamers will be able to tell when DirectPlay was enabled on a computer and when it was not. However, DirectPlay is no longer a default feature on Windows 10 or 11. This means that you need to enable it yourself before you can use it.
This article is all about showing you how to enable DirectPlay in Windows 10 and even how to install DirectPlay on Windows 11. The article also gives pointers on how to solve DirectPlay issues using different methods, and download it to use or keep for future references.
How to enable DirectPlay in Windows 10
Enabling DirectPlay in Windows 10 is not difficult. As long as you pay attention to the following steps, you should be able to get DirectPlay running on your Windows machine in 2 minutes or less. These steps can be simplified as follows:
- Initiate the Windows Features from Control Panel
- Locate DirectPlay from the Legacy Components option
- Enable DirectPlay by ticking the checkbox next to it
- Click OK and restart your computer to save and activate your changes.
If these steps are simple enough for you, then all is well and good. However, since we are not all computer wizards, here are a few more specifics on enabling DirectPlay in Windows 10 or 11.
Initiate Windows Features
Windows Features are very important components for the smooth running of the Windows OS. They work the same way as addons and extensions on web browser applications. More importantly, these features are original, meaning that they are not created by third-party developer companies but by Microsoft Corporation. Therefore, they are trustworthy.
If you want to get DirectPlay running on your Windows computer, you don’t have to rely on a third-party software distributor. Instead, you can simply enable it from Windows Features the same way you enable any other DirectX component.
First, however, you may want to check to see if it is already enabled. You can do that by running Command Prompt as Administrator. Then type in the following code:
DISM /online /get-features /format:table | more
If you notice that DirectPlay is disabled, you can turn on Windows Features using any of the following methods:
- Click
Windows key + Sto enter search mode, and typeTurn Windows features on or offinto the search bar. Select the best match categorized under Control Panel and tapENTER. - Click
Windows key + Rto start the Run prompt, and typeoptionalfeatures. Click OK to launch Windows Features this way. - Launch Command Prompt and click the Run as administrator. Then type the following and tap
ENTERon your keyboard afterward:
DISM /online /enable-feature /featurename:DirectPlay
Find DirectPlay from Legacy Components
If you were unable to use the Windows command line to enable DirectPlay, it means that there is a requirement that your OS does not meet yet. There is nothing to worry about. You can use either of the other methods. Both of these methods will lead you to the same place—the Windows Features page where you can Turn Windows features on or off. Here, you will see all of the main Windows features that allow your OS to run smoothly.
Some of these features serve as the framework for others. For example, NETFramework is one of the main components that make it possible for certain software applications to run on your computer. So, just to be thorough, make sure that this feature is enabled.
DirectPlay should be the only feature under the Legacy Components folder on this Windows Features page. To locate it, simply click on the box next to the Legacy Components folder to expand it.
Enable DirectPlay
Once you have located DirectPlay in the Legacy Components folder, you can enable it by simply clicking on the empty box behind it.
Also, make sure that your computer is connected to the internet so that it can download and install the feature immediately. You should see a prompt telling you that your computer is applying changes to Windows Features.
Restart Your Computer
Once the changes have been applied, close the Windows features page and restart your computer.
Once your OS and up and running, you can enter DISM /online /get-features /format:table | more in Command Prompt (as an administrator) to see if DirectPlay is now included in the list of enabled Windows features.
How to install DirectPlay on Windows 11
Installing DirectPlay on Windows 11 is not different from what we have shown above. Microsoft has made it possible for you to simply install the DirectX component as one of the many Windows features. The installation process does not have to be a separate process from the enabling process. As a result, you don’t have to download DirectPlay as a separate software application from a third-party distributor.
So, in essence, to install DirectPlay on Windows 11, you only need to follow the steps we outlined in the previous section. Use Command Prompt as an administrator to enable DirectPlay. This will work if DirectPlay is already installed in your Windows OS. If it isn’t, you can use the Windows Features option to achieve the same results as the Command Prompt option.
Whichever option you choose, make sure to restart your computer to implement the changes.
How to download DirectPlay
As earlier mentioned, you don’t have to download DirectPlay to have it enabled on your PC. The feature is part of the native Microsoft Corporate store. However, downloading it as a standalone computer program is difficult, if not impossible.
Of course, many third-party software distributors will be happy to offer you versions of DirectPlay. But the chances of these versions negatively affecting the operation of your PC are very high. So, it is better to ignore these downloadable DirectPlay variants and stick to the original DirectPlay version from Microsoft.
How to fix my DirectPlay
Even though DirectPlay is a native Microsoft application, there are times it becomes impossible to use. During such times, it would either seem as if the application has completely disappeared from your PC or it has been disabled. However, you will find that it is still included in the list of enabled Windows features. In such instances, you need to fix DirectPlay.
Fixing DirectPlay is not difficult. There are many ways to go about this. So, if you find error messages like Microsoft.directx.directplay.DLL Not Found, you can use any of the following methods to fix DirectPlay.
Temporarily Disable Your Anti-Virus Software Application
Many useful antivirus software applications can boost Windows protection against malware. Auslogics Anti-Malware, for example, is very effective in detecting and removing all kinds of malware from your PC.
Download Auslogics Anti-Malware
Detects malware, spyware and viruses, then safely removes them from your PC to help keep it as secure as possible. The program is made to complement your main antivirus.
Nevertheless, the operation of advanced anti-virus applications like Auslogics’ can prove to be a deterrent for the activation of DirectPlay and other outmoded Windows components. Therefore, you have to temporarily disable your anti-virus software to get DirectPlay running.
There are many ways to disable anti-virus applications on Windows. The most popular of these is using the disable switch from the anti-virus itself. To do this, you only need to
- Locate the anti-virus software on your taskbar or among the apps on your taskbar tray.
- Right-click on the anti-virus icon to bring up the options.
- Select the option that indicates a temporary deactivation.
It is important that you don’t restart your PC once you have deactivated the anti-virus. Most of these applications are programmed to start running whenever you boot up your computer. Therefore, restarting your PC immediately after deactivating the anti-virus will only delay you, and not fix the problem.
Once you have disabled your anti-virus application, try enabling DirectPlay from Windows Features or through Command Prompt once again.
Use Task Manager to Shut Down Anti-Virus Processes
If you notice that DirectPlay runs temporarily and is disabled once again, you might have to uninstall the antivirus you are currently using and replace it with another. But if you don’t want to uninstall the anti-virus, you can simply terminate the anti-virus processes whenever you need to use DirectPlay.
To terminate anti-virus processes so you can use antiquated Windows components like DirectPlay, you only need to:
- Use
Ctrl + Shift + Esckeys to start Task Manager. (You can also useWindows key + X + Tfor the same purpose.) - From the 7 tabs of the Task Manager window, select the Processes tab.
- From the Apps, Background processes, and Windows processes header options, select everything related to the anti-virus and use the End task option after you right-click on these processes. You have to do this one by one under each category.
- Close the Task Manager window and try to use DirectPlay again.
If you notice that your anti-virus starts running after you restart your Windows:
- Bring up Task Manager once more and navigate to the Startup tab this time. This tab shows all your installed programs that Windows automatically launches whenever the OS boots up.
- Select the anti-virus application and right-click it to bring up options.
- Select the Disable option to deactivate the launching of your anti-virus.
This should solve the problem of your anti-virus blocking DirectPlay once and for all. Whenever you need to use your anti-virus or if you no longer need to use DirectPlay, simply activate the anti-virus application processes from Task Manager. You should also enable the anti-virus from the Startup tab in Task Manager.
Re-Enable DirectPlay from Windows Features
Although the previous suggestions on how to fix DirectPlay problems are effective, they may be necessary. Maybe there was a problem during installation, so DirectPlay was not correctly enabled on your Windows PC. In that case, you only need to re-enable DirectPlay to get it working.
The best means of re-enabling DirectPlay to fix .dll not found issues is to use Windows Features. We outlined the steps for this in an earlier section, so you should be able to easily enable DirectPlay this way.
However, if you find that DirectPlay is enabled, first uncheck the box next to DirectPlay (that is, under Legacy Components in the Windows Features window) and restart your PC. Once your OS is up and running, go back to Windows Features and enable DirectPlay. This should fix the problem.
Use Command Prompt to Install DirectPlay with the No-Restart Option
If disabling and enabling DirectPlay using Windows Features does not work, you may have to fall back on Command Prompt to fix it. As earlier stated, make sure you start Command Prompt (or Windows PowerShell) as an administrator. Then copy and paste the following code:
C:/ dism /Online /enable-feature /FeatureName:”DirectPlay” /NoRestart
Once the process is complete, DirectPlay should have been enabled.
Use DirectPlay with Compatibility Mode
The last method to fix issues with DirectPlay on Windows 10 and 11 is compatibility mode. This method allows your OS to run a particular program under an older configuration state. All you need to do here is:
- Right-click on the desktop application of the game to select the Open file location option.
- Select the game file and right-click to bring up the options.
- Select Properties and click on the Compatibility tab.
- Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for option and select any of the older Windows OSes.
- Click Apply and close the window, and then restart the game to use DirectPlay.
Whether you want to install or fix DirectPlay, the Windows Features option and Command Prompt serve as reliable methods. As long as you use any of these methods well, you should be able to decide how DirectPlay runs on your Windows 10 and 11.
DirectPlay is one of the most important features for gamers on Windows software. It allows users to play multiplayer games online at the same time. People can join the multiplayer games using Directplay and connect with friends. You can install DirectPlay on the Windows computer easily. The method here is you do not need to manually download it from any store. The Operating System set up the app to suit the games on your computer. Throughout this article, we will learn various methods on how to install DirectPlay on Windows 10/11.
Windows is rapidly improving its technology to compete with the new market competitors. The OS has the best features, with more efficient features replacing the older ones to suit modern-day needs. One of such old features is DirectPlay, which is a special multimedia component. It is a part of Microsoft DirectX, which establishes network connections over the net to enable multiplayer games in the older versions.
In Windows 10/11, the feature is not active by default, but the DirectPlay files are still a part of the OS. So we do not need to download anything, just activate the feature to get it working on your PC.
In this article, we will explore ways how to install DirectPlay using various methods. Continue reading to learn about them in detail.
How to enable DirectPlay in Windows
Enabling DirectPlay is a simple steps process. You can do it in no time if you know the steps. There are multiple ways in which you can enable the DirectPlay app. We can install the app using the control panel, Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), and Powershell. Let us see how to install DirectPlay using these methods.
Method1. Enable DirectPlay using Turn Windows features on or off
Learn the steps and follow them to get Directplay working on your system.
Step 1. Open the Turn Windows features On or Off using the control panel.
Step 2. Scroll down and find DirectPlay in the Legacy Components.
Step 3. Check both components by ticking the box.
Step 4. Click «OK» and restart the device to notice the changes.
The OS sets up the files and enables the app, now you can play the games that require DirectPlay.
Method2. Enable DirectPlay with DISM Command
Users can enable DirectPlay using the DISM command. Follow the steps to know how to activate the feature using DISM.
Step 1. Click on «Windows» on the taskbar, and Search for Terminal App. You can use the same steps to complete this process in the Command Prompt too.
Step 2. The app opens Powershell (default window), Copy and paste the following command in the window.
dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:DirectPlay /All
Step 3. Run the command and wait until the DISM setup the DirectPlay files for use.
Step 4. You will see the Restart Prompt after the process. Press Y to restart your device.
Method3. Enable the DirectPlay using Powershell
Step 1. Press the keys Windows + X simultaneously and Click the «Windows Terminal (Admin)» to open it.
Step 2. This action invokes the Powershell Window, now copy and paste the following command:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature –FeatureName «DirectPlay» -All -Online
Step 3. Run the command and wait for the OS to complete the setup for installing Directplay.
Step 4. After completion, You can see the Restart Prompt on the screen. Press Y to restart your device.
These three are simple methods you can follow to install or activate DirectPlay. In some cases, along with DirectPlay, some games require the older version of DirectX. You can get this from the official website of Microsoft.
Even after enabling Directplay and downloading DirectX, if you are still unable to play the Legacy games, this means there is a software component that is not supporting the feature. In such instances, the problem is with some software that supports the frameworks. In Turn Windows features on or off section, You can see the NETFramework, one of the main components of the computer.
Enable the NETFramework as a precautionary measure to run the games smoothly without further interruptions.
Final Verdict
DirectPlay is already inbuilt into the OS, you just have to install DirectPlay. This action runs the multiplayer games without any interruptions. There are three simple methods on how to install DirectPlay, follow the steps mentioned to get the software running on your OS. You can face some issues regarding the supporting frameworks due to the unavailability of DirectX. Download it and enable other frameworks to get the DirectPlay for games.
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