If I try to install DirectX 9.0c in Windows 2003, I get this error: followed by this: and finally a short but descriptive Does anyone know what's going on here? I tried the web and redistributable installers of both DirectX 9.0b and 9.0c. Windows Update reports the installation as successful, but I get the same error during installation and dxdiag reports version 8.1, even after a reboot. I've tried using compatibility mode as well, to no avail. Any help would be greatly appreciated Edit: Ah, I already found the solution. For anyone interested, I had to re-enable the Cryptographic Services (start -> run -> services.msc).