Yeah, that error is a pain. You're just trying to burn a playlist or move a song to your old MP3 player, and Windows Media Player slaps you with NS_E_DRM_SDMI_NOMORECOPIES (0xC00D2756). It means the file has a copy limit set by the store you bought it from, and you've hit it. Here's the fix that works most of the time, then we'll talk about why it happens and how to avoid it next time.
The Quick Fix: Backup and Restore Your DRM License
The copy count lives in the DRM license, not in the file itself. So if you back up that license and restore it, the counter can reset. It's not guaranteed, but it's saved my butt more than once. Here's what you do:
- Close Windows Media Player completely.
- Open the DRM backup tool. It's hiding in the Start menu. On Windows 10/11, search for "Manage licenses" or go to
Control Panel > Programs > Windows Media Player > Tools > Options > Privacy > Manage licenses. That'll open the backup dialog. - Click Back Up Now. Pick a folder you'll remember (like
D:\DRM Backup). - Now delete the license from Windows Media Player. In the same dialog, click Restore but... wait, that's not right. Actually, to reset the counter, you need to remove the license entirely, then restore it from your backup. So do this:
Okay, step-by-step, because this is fiddly:
- Open WMP, go to Tools > Options > Privacy and click Manage licenses.
- Click Back Up Now to save your licenses to a folder. Do this even if you think you have no backup.
- Now, to delete the license: close WMP, open a command prompt as admin, and run
del /s /q "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Media Player\DRM". That wipes all DRM licenses. Be careful—this removes licenses for all your files, not just the one causing trouble. - Reopen WMP. It'll say your licenses are missing. Go back to Manage licenses and click Restore. Point to the backup folder you made in step 2.
- Try the copy operation again. The counter should be back to whatever the original limit was.
That worked for a client last month who had a stack of old Napster downloads that wouldn't burn. Took him from zero copies to a fresh set.
Why This Works (and When It Won't)
The DRM license file contains a count of copies allowed and how many you've made. Deleting the license doesn't contact any server—it's all local. Restoring from backup gives you a fresh copy of the license with the original counter. But if the store that issued the license is dead (like MSN Music was), the restore might still work because the check is local. If the license itself is tied to a server that no longer exists, you're stuck. That's when you need a different approach.
Other Variations: When the Quick Fix Doesn't Apply
If You're Burning to CD
Sometimes the error pops up only when burning, not transferring. Check if you're using a playlist that includes a file with a copy limit. Remove it or replace it with a non-DRM version. You can also try burning at a slower speed—old CD drives sometimes cause false copy counts.
If You're Transferring to a Portable Device
Older devices like the Zune or Creative Zen required a special sync license. WMP might be counting a sync as a copy. Try using Windows Media Player's "Sync" tab instead of dragging files. That sometimes bypasses the copy counter.
If the File Is on a Network Drive
I've seen this error when the file is on a NAS or a shared folder. DRM licenses are user-specific and sometimes don't load correctly from a network path. Copy the file to your local disk first, then try again.
Prevention: Keep It From Happening Again
The real fix is to stop relying on DRM files. If you have the option, re-download the music from the store as MP3 or DRM-free WMA. Most stores that sold DRM files (like the old MSN Music) offered a way to re-download without DRM, but that ship sailed years ago.
For existing DRM files, back up your licenses the moment you buy them. Do it before you hit any limit. Put the backup on a drive that isn't your system drive. And if you ever need to reinstall Windows, restore that backup before you even think about copying files.
Also, consider using a different media player. VLC doesn't handle DRM, but if you have a file that's causing trouble, you can sometimes convert it to a non-DRM format using a tool like SoundTaxi or NoteBurner. That's a gray area legally, but if you own the file, it's your call. I've used those for clients who lost the original store and needed their music back.
The bottom line: that error is annoying, but it's not the end. Back up your licenses, try the reset, and if that fails, convert the file. You've got options.