Fix 0XC00D2723 DRM Decrypt Error in Windows Media Player

Let's Get This Fixed

If you're seeing NS_E_DRM_DECRYPT_ERROR (0XC00D2723) with a message that says "The media file is corrupted," take a breath. It's not your hard drive dying or your music collection gone. Nine times out of ten, it's a corrupted DRM (Digital Rights Management) license cache. I've run into this on Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines, especially after a Windows Update or when switching between Windows Media Player and Groove Music.

The Fix: Clear the DRM License Cache

This is the only step that reliably resolves 0XC00D2723. You don't need to reinstall Windows or delete any actual media files.

1. Close Windows Media Player completely. Don't just minimize—close it.
2. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
3. Type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Media Player and hit Enter. This opens the Media Player folder in File Explorer.
4. Look for a subfolder named DRM or DRMStore. On most systems, it's just DRM.
5. Delete everything inside the DRM folder—don't worry, Windows will rebuild these files the next time you play a DRM-protected file.
6. Restart Windows Media Player and try playing the same file again. It should work now.

What If the DRM Folder Doesn't Exist?

Sometimes Windows hides this folder or it hasn't been created yet. In that case, open a Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

cd %localappdata%\Microsoft\Media Player
rmdir /s /q "DRM"

This command force-removes the DRM folder and its contents. Reboot, and Media Player will recreate it with fresh licenses.

Why This Works

The 0XC00D2723 error is a decryption failure. DRM licenses are stored locally as tiny files—if one of those gets corrupted (common after a system update, a power loss, or even a sync conflict), Windows can't decrypt the media file. It throws that "corrupted" error even though the media file itself is fine. Clearing the cache forces Windows to re-download fresh licenses from the content provider (like a music store or TV streaming service). That's all it needs.

Less Common Variations of This Error

1. Error Shows in Groove Music or Xbox Music App

Same error code, same root cause. But the folder path is different: %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.ZuneMusic_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\DRM. Delete everything inside DRM and restart the app.

2. Error Occurs After Syncing with a Phone or MP3 Player

If you synced protected content and then played it on a new device, you might get this error. The fix is the same—clear the DRM cache on the computer. On the device, you may need to re-sync the file from scratch.

3. Error in Windows Media Player on Windows 7 or 8

On older Windows, the folder is at %appdata%\Microsoft\Media Player\DRM. Same steps. If you're still on Windows 7, you should also run Windows Update—there was a known DRM bug in KB2962407 that caused this error. Install all pending updates.

Prevention: How to Stop This From Coming Back

• Keep Windows updated. Microsoft patches DRM issues regularly. I've seen this error vanish after a cumulative update.
• Don't run disk cleanup tools that target DRM files. Tools like CCleaner can inadvertently delete DRM licenses, causing the error. If you do run one, make a system restore point first.
• If you're using a VPN or proxy, disconnect before playing DRM content. Some VPNs can interfere with license acquisition. I've seen it happen with PIA and NordVPN on Windows 10.
• For purchased content, always download the license again from the store. Most services (like Amazon Music or iTunes) allow you to re-download your purchases. That gives you a fresh license file.

Pro tip: If you own a lot of protected media files, back up your DRM folder after clearing it and verifying everything works. That way you can restore it later if needed. Copy the entire Media Player folder, not just the DRM subfolder.

That's it. You don't need to reinstall Windows, format your drive, or panic. Clear that cache, and you're back in business. If the error sticks even after this, check if the media file itself is genuinely damaged—try playing it on another PC or phone with the same account. But 99% of the time, it's the DRM cache. I've seen this save hours of frustration for people who almost wiped their music library.