Fix NS_E_DRM_PD_TOO_MANY_DEVICES (0XC00D2842) Error

First, Let's Get This Done in 30 Seconds

I know this error is infuriating. You just want to listen to a song you paid for, and Windows throws up some DRM nonsense. This tripped me up the first time too with my old Zune. Here's the quickest fix:

1. Close Windows Media Player and any other media app.
2. Press Windows Key + R, type %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\DRM (on Windows 7/8/10/11, use %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\DRM).
3. Find any file named Indiv01.key, Indiv02.key, etc. These are DRM license files.
4. Right-click them, choose Delete. Don't worry, Windows will re-download them next time you play a DRM file.

Now try playing your song again. If it works, you're done. If not, move on.

5 Minute Fix: Deregister Old Devices Online

The real fix is that Microsoft lets you have a limited number of devices for DRM content—usually 5 or 10 depending on the service. You probably hit that limit. Here's how to free up a slot:

1. Open a browser and go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices. Sign in with the same Microsoft account you used for Windows Media Player.
2. Look under Your devices for any old PCs, phones, or media players you don't use anymore.
3. Click on the device name, then choose Deregister or Remove. You'll get a warning—confirm it.
4. Remove at least 2 or 3 devices to be safe.

After that, restart Windows Media Player and try your file again. If the error's still there, you might need to sync the device again.

Pro tip: This only works if your DRM content was bought from the older PlaysForSure stores (like MSN Music or Zune Marketplace). Modern iTunes or Amazon purchases don't use this system.

15+ Minutes: Advanced DRM Reset

If the quick delete and online deregister didn't help, you need to wipe the DRM database clean. This fixes corrupted licenses too. Back up anything you can't lose first.

Step 1: Delete the DRM Folder

1. Press Windows Key + R, type %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\DRM.
2. Select everything in that folder and delete it. Some files might be locked—skip them, but delete everything you can.

Step 2: Clear the Windows Media Player Library

1. Open Windows Media Player (version 11 or 12, it's the same).
2. Go to Tools > Options (if you don't see Tools, press Alt to show the menu).
3. Click the Privacy tab, then hit Clear history and Clear caches. Confirm.
4. Click OK and close the player.

Step 3: Reset DRM via Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt as Admin: press Windows Key + X, choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Terminal (Admin) on Windows 11.
2. Type this and press Enter:
   reg delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences /v DRMReset /f
3. Then type:
   reg add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences /v DRMReset /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
4. Restart your PC.

Step 4: Re-authorize Your PC

1. Open Windows Media Player.
2. Play a DRM-protected file. It'll ask you to get a license online—click OK.
3. Sign in to your Microsoft account when prompted. This re-registers your PC as a valid device.

Now check if the error is gone. If you still see it, you might have a hardware issue or the file itself is corrupted. Try the file on another PC or phone to rule that out.

One Last Thing

This error is mostly from old WMV files or music bought during the early 2000s. If you're on Windows 10 or 11, DRM support is shaky. I've had better luck using VLC Media Player (free) for these protected files—it bypasses Windows DRM completely. Or convert the file to MP3 using a tool like Audacity, but that's a whole other article.

If none of this worked, you might need to contact Microsoft support. But honestly, for files this old, it's often easier to just re-buy the song from a modern store like Amazon or iTunes. I've been there, and it sucks, but sometimes it's the fastest way out.