Starforce was hidden install, that's why people hated it .
i think simbin released the crack for starforce encryption ( GTL 2008 ) for GTL a year or too after the they first closed down and moved to set up RACEROOM .
Simbin then offered a starforce free version . I think around 2010 after W7 was released . If you emailed Simbin the cover, the disc and online serial number of your game they sent you via link and download a free digital un encrypted install version , This lasted for around 1 year. Then GTL finally moved to Steam install a few years later, 2014/15 maybe .