How to Enable or Disable Direct Play in Windows 11/10 [Tutorial]
21How to Enable or Disable Direct Play in Windows 11/10 [Tutorial]
If you want to install and enable DirectPlay on Windows 11 and Windows 10, here is how you can do that. This Legacy Components feature is already included in your computer, and you can install it from the Windows Features panel on Windows 11/10. That said, you do not have to download any third-party software to get the job done.
DirectPlay is part of DirectX that allows players to establish a link. While DirectPlay isn't used anymore in most newer games, it is still required for older games. Here's how you can enable or disable DirectPlay on Windows 10 or 11.
DirectPlay is part of Windows, so you should never download anything outside of the Windows operating system. The problem arises when playing some older games because DirectPlay is disabled by default in Windows 10 & 11. It is considered a Legacy component because of how little it is used today.
Issues addressed in this tutorial:
enable disable direct play
enable disable direct play access
enable disable direct play devices
enable disable direct play error
enable disable direct play enable
DirectPlay is an antiquated API library that was a component of earlier DirectX versions. However, Microsoft sidelined DirectPlay in favor of Games for Windows Live. As DirectPlay is obsolete, it’s no longer required to update Windows games.
However, DirectPlay is still more essential to run games that predate 2008 in Windows 10. Consequently, some older games don’t run without DirectPlay.
If a game or app needs DirectPlay, a window opens stating An app on your PC needs the following Windows feature DirectPlay.
This tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops, and tablets running the Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems (Home, Professional, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufactures, like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Alienware, Razer, MSI, Huawei , Microsoft Surface, and Samsung.