Understanding the Impact of Legacy DRM Deprecation
In a recent update to its support documentation, Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of legacy digital rights management (DRM) services within Windows Media Player, as well as in Silverlight, Windows 7, and Windows 8. This shift marks a significant change for users relying on these platforms for media consumption.
Digital rights management, commonly referred to as DRM, serves as a protective measure for intellectual property, ensuring that media such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs are encrypted to limit unauthorized access. However, with the phasing out of these legacy services, users will find themselves unable to play any DRM-protected content through the aforementioned applications.
As reported by Windows Latest, this change also extends to streaming capabilities, meaning that users will no longer be able to stream DRM content to devices like the Xbox 360. For those still operating on Windows 7 or Windows 8, the only path forward is to upgrade to either Windows 10 or Windows 11 to restore access to DRM-protected media.
For individuals who prefer to stick with Windows Media Player, the options are becoming increasingly limited. Transitioning to alternative media player applications that support DRM is now essential. Among the most popular choices is the free and open-source VLC media player, which offers robust support for a variety of media formats.
Further reading: Hey everyone, it’s time to switch to Windows 11
This information was initially published in our sister publication, PC för Alla, and has been translated and localized from Swedish for our readers.
