Fix NS_E_DRM_UNSUPPORTED_ACTION (0XC00D28AD) on Windows

What causes this error

You're trying to play a DRM-protected file—usually an old WMV or ASF file from a service that's been dead for years. Windows Media Player (WMP) tries to talk to the DRM server to get a license, but the server's gone or the license is corrupted. The error code 0XC00D28AD means the action just isn't supported anymore. I've seen this on Windows 10 and 11, especially after a Windows update replaced the DRM components.

Don't bother reinstalling WMP or running SFC. That's not the fix. Start with the quick check below.

Fix 1 (30 seconds) – Check if the file is dead DRM

Right-click the file, select Properties, then go to the Details tab. Look for Protected or DRM info. If it says Yes but you don't have the license file, you're out of luck. The DRM server is offline. In that case, your only option is to convert the file using a tool that strips DRM (like TuneFab or NoteBurner, but that's borderline legal, so I'm not linking it). If the file is yours and you lost the license, skip to Fix 2.

If the file plays fine on another PC, the issue is local to this machine.

Fix 2 (5 minutes) – Delete the DRM folder and force WMP to rebuild it

This is the cleanest fix for corrupted license files. Close WMP completely. Open File Explorer and paste this into the address bar:

%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player

Delete all files in that folder. Don't worry, WMP will recreate them when you launch it again. Then run this in an admin command prompt:

regsvr32 drmupnpserver

You'll get a success message. Now open WMP, go to Tools > Options > Privacy, and uncheck all the DRM-related boxes (Acquire licenses automatically, etc.). Then re-check the one for renewing DRM licenses. Click OK. Try playing the file again.

Had a client last month whose entire print queue died because of this—actually, no, that was printer driver hell. But this DRM fix saved me on a Windows 10 machine that stopped playing purchased Zune music (yes, Zune). Worked like a charm.

Fix 3 (15+ minutes) – Manual DRM license reset via registry and cleanup

If Fix 2 didn't do it, the DRM store is deeper in the weeds. Here's the nuclear option.

First, uninstall Windows Media Player via Windows Features (turn it off, restart, then turn it back on). This removes the DRM components entirely.

Next, open Regedit and delete this key (back it up first if you're nervous):

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\DRM

Also delete this folder (not the parent, just the DRM contents):

%windir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\DRM

That folder is protected, so you'll need to take ownership first. Right-click it > Properties > Security > Advanced > Change owner to your admin account. Then give yourself full control. Delete everything inside.

Reboot. Reinstall WMP via Windows Features. Run Windows Update to grab any DRM updates (unlikely to help, but do it).

Now test. If it still fails, the file's license is permanently dead. You can try a third-party DRM removal tool, but I'm not endorsing any. Some people have luck with DRM Removal for WMV by Aimersoft (paid).

When to give up

If the DRM server is long gone (think MSN Music circa 2006), no amount of tweaking will bring the license back. The file is a brick. Convert it with a screen recorder as a last resort, or move on. I've wasted hours on this—don't be me.

If you're still stuck, check the Microsoft Answers forum for your specific scenario. Sometimes the fix is just accepting that old DRM is dead.