Microsoft is deprecating Legacy DRM services - these clients are affected

Microsoft has added one other function to the record of deprecated Home windows options. After tagging Paint 3D and Adobe Type1 fonts as deprecated in August 2024, it set its eyes on legacy DRM options this time.

DRM refers to Digital Rights Administration. It’s used to permit playback of protected media.

Deprecation signifies that the function will probably be eliminated ultimately from Home windows. Microsoft doesn’t say when that is going to occur for the talked about options.

The small print:

The change impacts DRM on Home windows 7 and Home windows 8 solely. Microsoft doesn’t point out Home windows 8.1, which makes it unclear if the system can also be affected.
Home windows Media Participant and Silverlight are talked about particularly by Microsoft.

Home windows 7: Home windows Media Participant affected

windows media player

Home windows 7 customers who use Home windows Media Participant to play DRM content material will not have the option to take action anymore as soon as Microsoft removes the performance.

This implies:

For those who used Home windows Media Participant to tear CDs with protected content material, then you definately will not be capable of play these CDs anymore.
Home windows Media Participant will not play any protected content material anymore. This will likely embrace bought media.

Home windows 7 customers who used Media Participant to tear content material may have to make use of one other program to tear the CDs once more. The free CDex is a good audio CD ripper.

Microsoft launched a Digital Rights Replace Software to the Microsoft Retailer that permits customers to take away copy safety of wma audio information ripped with Home windows Media Participant. This will likely additionally work, however requires Home windows 10 or newer. The software is notoriously buggy in response to opinions.

Home windows 8: Silverlight and extra

Home windows 8 machines will not be capable of play protected content material anymore as effectively as soon as the change lands.

Microsoft mentions Silverlight shoppers and likewise Home windows 8 shoppers as affected. The impact is identical as on Home windows 7: any try and play protected content material in a Microsoft software or a participant that makes use of Microsoft expertise is blocked as soon as Microsoft removes the performance.

This additionally impacts streaming from a Silverlight or Home windows 8 consumer to Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

Home windows 7 and eight aren’t supported anymore

Each working techniques that Microsoft mentions aren’t supported anymore (other than choose non-Client variations). Each ran out of assist in early 2023, which signifies that Microsoft shouldn’t be creating updates for the techniques anymore.

Whereas most Home windows customers have upgraded their gadgets to newer variations of Home windows, a sizeable share of customers continues to be utilizing gadgets with these working techniques.

Statcounter estimates that about 3 p.c of Home windows customers are nonetheless on Home windows 7 or Home windows 8. With greater than a billion Home windows gadgets, that’s nonetheless a sizeable variety of customers.

Closing Phrases

Microsoft launched a brand new Home windows Media Participant within the meantime for newer variations of Home windows. This participant doesn’t seem totally appropriate with DRM media information created on Home windows 7 utilizing legacy DRM techniques.

Chances are you’ll strive the software talked about above to take away DRM, however it could not work in all instances. You may take a look at the newest deprecated options on Microsoft’s web site.

Are you impacted by Microsoft’s choice? Did you utilize Home windows Media Participant or Silverlight up to now? Be at liberty to go away a remark down beneath.

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