I was told about this on another casual gaming site and knew that there would be those here who would be interested in this.

Some kind person decided to go about fixing this issue for the many who still wish to play the game on Windows 10/Windows 11. People have reported that it works.

The fix can be found here: Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove Compatibility Fix

Oh, and here's a Reddit thread posted by the patch creator, with more explanations about it all:

Reddit thread

Oh my gosh, and if you read further down in the Reddit thread, this patch also works for Hidden Expedition: Devil's Triangle. Apparently this game came out around the same time as Dire Grove and they both had the same issue.

Thanks for the information and links, Marian!

Dire Grove was in my top 20 list. Maybe I might be able to play it again.

Here's hoping, rtrooney!

You are welcome, ob.

Are Dire Grove and Dire Grove, Sacred Grove the same game?

No, Tally Ho. There is Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove; it was released in 2009. Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove, Sacred Grove was released in 2014.

Dire Grove, Sacred Grove WILL play on modern machines without a patch.

Correct.