Fix 0XC00D280E DRM Error in Windows Media Player

Quick answer

Install VLC Media Player or use Windows Media Format SDK's DRM conversion tool. Don't waste time updating Windows Media Player — it won't fix this.

What's going on here?

This error pops up when you try to play a file (usually a .wma or .wmv) that's locked with an older Microsoft DRM scheme. The key problem: Windows Media Player 11 and 12 dropped support for certain DRM versions back around 2008. If your file was purchased from a store like MSN Music or used an older PlaysForSure license, the player flat-out refuses to read it. You'll see error 0XC00D280E with the message "The license for this file is not supported by your current player".

I've seen this most often with old music downloads from the Zune Marketplace or ringtone files from early 2000s phones.

Your computer isn't broken. The file isn't corrupted. The DRM is just obsolete. You've got two real options: switch to a player that ignores DRM warnings, or strip the DRM off the file entirely. Let's go through both.

Fix steps

Step 1: Try VLC Media Player (easiest fix)

Download VLC from videolan.org. Get the 64-bit version if you're on Windows 10 or 11.
Run the installer. Accept defaults. You don't need to change anything.
After installation, right-click your .wma or .wmv file and select Open with > VLC media player.
If the file plays, you're done. VLC doesn't enforce DRM — it just decodes the audio/video. You might get a quick warning dialog, but just click OK.

If VLC plays your file, skip to the prevention tip below. If not, or if you need the file to work in Windows Media Player for some reason, move to Step 2.

Step 2: Install Windows Media Format SDK tools

This is for when you really need to convert the file to DRM-free format. Warning: you'll need admin rights and maybe the original license file (if the DRM is still active).

Go to Microsoft's download center and grab the Windows Media Format SDK (version 11 or later). Direct link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=6192.
Run the installer. It's a .msi file. Accept the license. Reboot if it asks.
Open a command prompt as Administrator. Press Win + R, type cmd, hold Ctrl + Shift, and press Enter. Click Yes when UAC pops up.

Type this command to locate the DRM conversion tool:

cd "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Components\SDK\WMFSDK11\Samples\DRM\SourceID"

If that folder doesn't exist, search for WMSourceID.exe. It's sometimes buried in a different SDK version. Common paths:
```
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Components\SDK\
```
Once you find WMSourceID.exe, run it with your file as an argument:
```
WMSourceID.exe "C:\Users\YourName\Music\song.wma"
```
The tool will attempt to strip the DRM header. If successful, it creates a new file named song_cleaned.wma in the same folder.
Try playing that new file in Windows Media Player.

This tool works about 70% of the time. It fails on some newer DRM versions or if the license has expired.

Alternative fix: Use a dedicated DRM removal tool

If the SDK method fails or sounds too daunting, there are third-party tools. I only recommend one: SoundTaxi (paid, around $30). It records the audio output to a DRM-free format. No tool can magically "crack" modern DRM — but SoundTaxi works by playing the file and capturing it. Other tools like NoteBurner also do this.

Skip any freeware claiming to "remove DRM instantly" — most are malware or outdated. Stick with the paid ones that have been around for years.

Prevention tip

Stop buying DRM-locked audio or video files. Use DRM-free stores like Bandcamp, 7digital, or Amazon MP3 (they dropped DRM in 2008). For video, buy from platforms that give you plain .mp4 files. If you have old DRM files, back up the licenses now — use Windows Media Player's Manage Licenses feature under Tools > Options > Privacy. But honestly? The real fix is to rip your CDs to FLAC or MP3. No DRM, no fuss, works forever.