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How to Download DirectPlay on Windows 10/11

Contents:

Download DirectPlay Overview

What is DirectPlay?

How to Download DirectPlay for Windows 10/11?

Download DirectPlay Overview

For many users who would like to play old games on Windows 10, there is much need for you to get the error that an app on your PC needs the following Windows feature DirectPlay. Under this circumstance, you won’t be able to play games without the DirectPlay on Windows 10/11.

Another condition is that when you open some tools like Adobe PS Elements 12, a pop-up prompts you to download Directplay.

Hence, you are supposed to download Windows 10 direct play in order to run some old programs properly. On the other hand, in terms of people who encountered can’t install direct play for Windows 10, you can also refer to what to do to get this DirectPlay installed on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.

Now before getting deeper into the Directplay Windows 10, it is wise for you to learn about what the direct play is used for on Windows 10.

What is DirectPlay?

This direct play application programming interface makes it possible to develop multiplayer software, such as game applications.

With DirectPlay Windows 10, your games can be logged with two or more users and the network on your PC can enable different users to communicate with each other in the similar server.

From the perspective, you can obviously see how vital it is if you want to play the older games on Windows 10.

But by default, although the direct play is deprecated as a Windows component, the DirectPlay is embedded into Windows 10. So what you are supposed to do is just to enable it.

That is why you are unable to open and run certain programs if the direct play is not installed or activated on Windows 10.

Now it is high time that you managed to enable DirectPlay for Windows 10. Or for some users, perhaps you have to download Windows DirectPlay on your computer.

How to Download DirectPlay for Windows 10/11?

When you hit upon the problem that you cannot install direct play for Windows 10 or an app on your PC needs the following Windows feature DirectPlay on Windows 10, you would better enable the direct play.

In this sense, you would be free to enjoy the old games on Windows 10.

Solution 1: Enable Direct Play on Windows 10/11

Just as what has been mentioned above, DirectPlay is built in Windows 10/11, so if you feel like to perform the applications which required direct play, try to get this Windows feature enabled from the control panel.

Normally, if DirectPlay is not corrupted or missing, you are able to enable it here.

1. Go to the Control Panel.

2. In Control Panel, choose to View by Category and then click Uninstall a program under Programs.

uninstall a program

3. Then you will navigate to Programs and Features window, here hit Turn Window features on or off.

turn windows features on or off

4. Then Windows Features window, scroll down to locate and expand Legacy Components and then check the box of DirectPlay.

turn on directplay

The minute you clicked OK and exited from Windows feature, you will have already enabled direct play for Windows 10.

On this occasion, it is up to you to play old games even on Windows 10.

Or it is also likely that Windows 10 prompts you to reboot your PC in order to take effect. Just restart it to fix Windows 10 can’t install DirectPlay.

Solution 2: Download DirectX to enable the DirectPlay

Microsoft DirectPlay has been deprecated. So when you are prompted to download DirectPlay to solve the problem, you only need to download Microsoft DirectX to open the game or program normally.

For downloading DirectX, follow this article: Full Guide to Download DirectX on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.

Solution 3: Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Program

Once you have enabled the direct play for Windows 10, but the games are still out of work even after that, maybe it is some of the applications that prevent you from using the DirectPlay.

Therefore, you may as well decide to remove the Windows 10 antivirus software recently installed on your PC.

To get rid of these problematic applications, just in Programs and Features of Control Panel, right click the software to Uninstall it.

At the moment there is no software that hinders you from enabling or downloading the Directplay Windows 10, try to open the old game to see if it go back to normal.

In a word, this post can help you download, install, and enable Windows 10 direct play.

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Brian Peng
Brian Peng is a PC technician and network engineer with over 13 years of IT experience. He has worked in the IT industry for a long time, providing IT support and network service support for various companies. Currently, he has written over 1000 articles about computers, games, and mobile.

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