Playing Protected Content
Learn about "protected" content, licenses, and common errors you might encounter while playing your protected files.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 10, unless otherwise noted.
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Why are my songs "protected?"
Either you downloaded a protected file from the Internet (for example, from a music service such as f.y.e. Download Zone or Napster), or you used the Player to rip (copy) tracks from a CD and the Copy protect music check box was selected.
If you downloaded the file from a music service, or ripped the track from a CD, there is no way to "unprotect" it. However, in the future, when you rip tracks from CDs, you can prevent copy protection from being added.
To turn off copy protection when you rip tracks from a CD, on the Tools menu, click Options, click the Rip Music tab, and then clear the Copy protect music check box.
NoteWhenever you copy music that you did not create, it may be copyrighted, and therefore, protected by U.S. and international laws. Ownership of a CD does not necessarily constitute the right to redistribute or share the content; if you intend to do so, make sure you have the necessary permissions.
How can I tell if a file is "protected?"
There are several ways to determine if a file is protected (that is, whether it requires a license for a particular use such as playback):
| • | In the Player, click Library, right-click a file, click Properties, and then click the License tab. If the file is protected, the license terms appear in the License details box. If nothing appears in the License details box, the file is not protected. |
| • | In the Player, click Library, and then click a category to view (for example, All Music). In the Details pane (located in the middle of Library), right-click any column heading (for example, Title), and then click Protected. This adds the Protected column to the Details pane, which includes information about whether the file is protected. |
| • | Open My Computer or the My Music folder, right-click a file, click Properties, and then click the License tab. If the License tab is not present, the file is not protected. |
What is a license and how do I get one?
A license is data associated with protected content that describes how the content can be used. For example, a license can specify how many times you can play a file or whether you can copy the file to a portable device or burn it to a CD. The terms of the license are specified by the person or company that provided the file. Windows Media Player cannot play protected files without a license.
There are different ways you can acquire licenses for files; the most common way is to download them from an Internet content provider (such as a record company or music service). The content provider may also issue the license automatically when you download the file. You may be required to register or pay a fee first, depending on the content provider.
If you try to play a file for which you do not have a license, Windows Media Player can attempt to acquire one. On the Privacy tab, if the Acquire licenses automatically for protected content check box is selected, and the content provider does not require a fee or registration, the Player simply acquires the license. For the Player to acquire a license in this manner, you must be connected to the Internet.
When I try to play a file, a Web page is displayed that says I need to "migrate my licenses." What does this mean?
The Player has determined that a new license is required to play a protected track that you ripped from a CD, so you've reached the Windows Media Personal License Migration Service Web page. This occurs because the content you are trying to play was either ripped on a different computer, or it was ripped on this computer before you upgraded it (for example, by reinstalling Windows).
To play the file on this computer, you must download a new license (a process known as "license migration") from the Web page by clicking the Migrate License button. Keep in mind that a license for a file can only be migrated ten times.
I can’t play my protected content anymore. What should I do?
If you backed up your licenses, you can restore your licenses. If you did not back up your licenses or if they are corrupted, you will need to either rip the tracks from the CD again (if the protected files were ripped from a CD), or download the files again from the content provider (if the protected files were acquired from a content provider). For more information about restoring your licenses, see "To restore your licenses" in Windows Media Player Help.
Why do I receive error messages saying that my licenses are either corrupted or not valid when I try to play a file?
You may see error message C00D2754 or C00D11D6 if the digital rights management (DRM) system on your computer is corrupted. This problem may occur if you have recently replaced hardware components in your computer. As a result, existing licenses on your computer may not work correctly, or it may even be impossible to acquire new licenses. For more information about resolving this problem, see article 810422, "'Licenses for your media files are corrupted' or 'License is either corrupted or not valid' error message when you try to play licensed media files," in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
When I try to upgrade my DRM components, I get an error message. What should I do?
When you try to play a protected file, you may be prompted to upgrade the security components of the Player. When you click OK in the Security Upgrade Required dialog box, Microsoft updates the security components on your computer so that you can play the file. However, you may encounter an error for any of the following reasons:
| • | The Microsoft service on the Internet may be offline. Try again later. | ||||||
| • | If your computer is part of a network that is protected by a firewall, the proxy server on the network may prevent DRM security components from being upgraded. You may get the error message if a Local Area Network (LAN) setting in Internet Explorer is set to detect proxy-server settings automatically. Try clearing the Automatically detect settings check box in Internet Explorer by doing the following:
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| • | In some cases, a problem with Internet Explorer will prevent this upgrade from occurring. If you continue to encounter error messages while trying to upgrade, try reinstalling the latest version of Internet Explorer from the Internet Explorer Web page. |
If you don't find the answer to your question in this column, be sure to check the Archive. Media Advice is not an official Microsoft Support channel. If you need immediate help for an urgent problem, we recommend that you visit Microsoft Help and Support.