diff --git a/src/audio/wasapi/SDL_wasapi.c b/src/audio/wasapi/SDL_wasapi.c
index 6c8eee6cae..e5e4f48728 100644
--- a/src/audio/wasapi/SDL_wasapi.c
+++ b/src/audio/wasapi/SDL_wasapi.c
@@ -580,12 +580,7 @@ static bool mgmtthrtask_PrepDevice(void *userdata)
     IAudioClient *client = device->hidden->client;
     SDL_assert(client != NULL);
 
-#if defined(SDL_PLATFORM_GDK) // CreateEventEx() arrived in Vista, so we need an #ifdef for XP.
-    device->hidden->event = CreateEventEx(NULL, NULL, 0, EVENT_ALL_ACCESS);
-#else
-    device->hidden->event = CreateEventW(NULL, 0, 0, NULL);
-#endif
-
+    device->hidden->event = CreateEvent(NULL, FALSE, FALSE, NULL);
     if (!device->hidden->event) {
         return WIN_SetError("WASAPI can't create an event handle");
     }
diff --git a/src/gpu/d3d12/SDL_gpu_d3d12.c b/src/gpu/d3d12/SDL_gpu_d3d12.c
index d6c15723e5..915d82a067 100644
--- a/src/gpu/d3d12/SDL_gpu_d3d12.c
+++ b/src/gpu/d3d12/SDL_gpu_d3d12.c
@@ -6849,7 +6849,7 @@ static D3D12Fence *D3D12_INTERNAL_AcquireFence(
             return NULL;
         }
         fence->handle = handle;
-        fence->event = CreateEvent(NULL, 0, 0, NULL);
+        fence->event = CreateEvent(NULL, FALSE, FALSE, NULL);
         SDL_SetAtomicInt(&fence->referenceCount, 0);
     } else {
         fence = renderer->availableFences[renderer->availableFenceCount - 1];