Fix NS_E_DVD_CANNOT_COPY_PROTECTED (0XC00D1172) in Windows Media Player

You're trying to rip a DVD in Windows Media Player and you get this error: NS_E_DVD_CANNOT_COPY_PROTECTED (0xC00D1172). The DVD is copy-protected, and Windows Media Player refuses to rip it. You see this typically with commercial movie DVDs, but also sometimes with home-burned discs that have copyright flags set by accident.

What's really happening here

Windows Media Player checks for the Copy Generation Management System (CGMS) flag on the DVD. If that flag is set — even on a disc you own legally — the player won't rip it. It's not a disc defect or a codec problem. It's a deliberate restriction built into the player.

The fix: bypass the restriction with a different ripper

You can't change Windows Media Player's behavior on this. The real fix is to use a different tool that ignores the copy protection flag. Here's what works:

1. Download VLC Media Player (free, open-source, no ads). Grab the latest version from videolan.org. VLC ignores CGMS flags on most DVDs.
2. Install VLC — default settings are fine. Just click through the installer.
3. Open VLC and insert your DVD. Wait for it to load. Go to Media > Open Disc.
4. Select the DVD option. Make sure your disc drive is selected (usually D:). Click Play to check the DVD plays. If it doesn't, your DVD drive might be the issue, not the protection.
5. To rip the DVD to your hard drive: Use Media > Convert / Save. Choose your DVD drive, pick a destination file (like an MP4), and select a profile (e.g., "Video - H.264 + AAC (MP4)"). Click Start. VLC will rip the disc while ignoring the copy flag.
6. Alternative: Use HandBrake — download from handbrake.fr. It's a dedicated DVD ripper that also bypasses CGMS flags. Open HandBrake, select your DVD, choose a preset (like "Fast 1080p30"), and start the encode. HandBrake tends to give better quality than VLC for ripping.

Had a client last month whose entire print queue died because of a similar issue — but that's another story. For this one, I've seen people waste hours trying to tweak Windows Media Player settings. Don't bother. The player just won't do it.

If the error still shows after trying VLC or HandBrake

Rarely, a DVD uses stronger encryption (like CSS or DRM) that even these tools can't bypass. Check these:

• Your DVD drive — try a different disc. If no disc plays, your drive might be dying. Swap it out or use an external USB drive.
• Regional coding — some drives lock after too many region changes. You'll see a "wrong region" message, not this exact error. Still worth checking.
• Use LibDVDCSS — for HandBrake, you can install the libdvdcss library (google it) to handle encrypted discs. VLC usually includes it already.
• Try a third-party ripper like MakeMKV (free while in beta) — it cracks most encryption and outputs an MKV file. Then you can convert to MP4 with HandBrake if needed.

That's the fix. Skip the Windows Media Player workarounds — they won't help. Use VLC or HandBrake and get back to watching your movies.