if you search on archive.org there is a 50.8gb archive from 2013
but other than that I know nothing else that exists

Out of curiosity I've checked one of the oldest sites that I remember and yes, GCW is still there.

eM-!3 wrote on 2025-07-09, 12:00:

Out of curiosity I've checked one of the oldest sites that I remember and yes, GCW is still there.

Phew even back in the late 90's early 2000's that was my first port of call.
I've always NO-CD my games to help preserve them. So for any game I own I generally have a zip containing the iso, any patch and associated no-cd crack.

keropi wrote on 2025-07-09, 06:56:

if you search on archive.org there is a 50.8gb archive from 2013
but other than that I know nothing else that exists

Sounds interesting!
Can you give hints for the search terms?

//EDIT:
I found it 😀

They already did.

The problem with sites like that is that for the most part these are modified copyrighted binaries instead of patches or diffs so would be copyright infringement. The DMCA allows bypassing when it no longer effectively controls or protects (when the company no longer supports so it cannot be ran but it also applies when the company supposedly still supports it but doesn't fix it so it can be ran....see court cases for precedent) but copyright infringement is another matter so only a patch (best option) or diff (since only a 'part' of the work is being copied) are legally allowed and yes you actually do own the software no matter what a EULA or T.O.S states since you bought it. Obviously this doesn't mean you can do whatever you want with it but you are legally allowed to keep it and get it working to run it no matter what you hear elsewhere. (Talk to a lawyer to confirm). The above applies to the U.S.A.

I think SafeDisk, Starforce, TAGES SolidShield and now SecuROM fall into "no longer controls or protects" category. Many SecuROM protected games (especially old ones) already acted very finicky on Windows 10 and Windows 11 just killed all support. So end of support for Windows 10 marks the end of all major disc DRMs legally.

The Serpent Rider wrote on 2025-07-10, 10:10:

I think SafeDisk, Starforce, TAGES SolidShield and now SecuROM fall into "no longer controls or protects" category. Many SecuROM protected games (especially old ones) already acted very finicky on Windows 10 and Windows 11 just killed all support. So end of support for Windows 10 marks the end of all major disc DRMs legally.

There was some work done on SafeDisk emulation by RibShark. I think the oldest games can work with it, however it didn't work on SafeDisk v1 for me

keropi wrote on 2025-07-09, 06:56:

if you search on archive.org there is a 50.8gb archive from 2013
but other than that I know nothing else that exists

Warez releases sites still hold them, however its quite an hassle to get each game and extract the crack out of it

BEEN_Nath_58 wrote on 2025-07-10, 12:43:

There was some work done on SafeDisk emulation by RibShark

Not a user problem at this point anyway. Easier to apply old cracks.