How do you install directplay on windows 10 to play old games?

Please help me! Trying to play theme hospital on windows 10 and when I try to play it says I need to install directplay. It then says it needs to restart the pc to do so. It restarts and then nothing happens and it hasn't installed. Tried this over and over. Read many other threads online for this problem and none of the advice helps. I have tried going into windows features and turning directplay on by ticking the box but it then says about restarting the pc, which again I do and it restarts, nothing has happened and the box is unchecked again. Going round in circles!
I would be grateful for the help!
Thanks in advance.

Hi,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I have checked and my account is definitely showing as an administrator.
I can't actually install the game as windows 10 doesn't even seem to be compatible with the disc I have (hard to explain on here but I click install and nothing happens), so after looking it up on other forums I downloaded a file for a newer version of theme hospital (I think) and it isn't installed but you can click on it and it looks as if it will start up and you'll be able to play the game but that's when the issue of directplay comes up and stops it going any further. So I can't see that there is anything to uninstall right now. If that makes sense?! Sorry for the confusing explanation but I am not a computer expert so struggle to explain. Not sure if I am a lost cause and this issue is unresolvable!
Thanks again.

I have attached a screenshot of what comes up when I try to load the game up from the file on my computer.

I have tried to do a screen shot to show you but I can't seem to be able to?!? I don't understand computers!!
It says "Windows completed your requested changes" and then below it says "windows needs to reboot your pc to finish installing the requested changes." so then I can click reboot and when it comes back on nothing has happened and directplay is unticked again. Or I can choose not to reboot and again, nothing has changed.

TairikuOkami said:

Theme Hospital -75% on GOG.com

Thank you, I would go for it but I doubt it will work on my laptop with this issue with directplay....

Thanks, I'll do that!!