Fix Windows Media Player Error 0XC00D1203 (DRM Expired)

Quick Answer

Delete the file, re-download it from the original store (Microsoft Store, iTunes, Amazon), or refresh the license by signing in again to the store. If that fails, run the DRM cleanup tool.

What's Happening Here

I've seen this error pop up most often on Windows 10 and 11 after someone upgrades their OS or switches PCs. The file you're trying to play—usually a purchased song, movie, or audiobook—has a DRM (Digital Rights Management) license that's expired or got corrupted during a system update. The error message "The media usage rights for this file have expired or are no longer valid" is Microsoft's way of saying the license key on your machine doesn't match what the server expects. It's infuriating, especially when you legitimately bought the content.

This happens because DRM licenses are tied to your hardware and account. If you reinstall Windows, change hardware, or the license server updates its rules, the local copy becomes invalid. The good news? Most stores let you re-download or refresh the license for free. The bad news? You can't just "extend" the license—you have to get a fresh one from the source.

Fix 1: Re-Download the File from the Store

This works 90% of the time. The license is stored separately from the media file. When you re-download, you get a fresh license.

1. Open the Microsoft Store app (or the store where you bought the content—iTunes, Amazon Music, etc.).
2. Sign in with the same Microsoft account you used to purchase the file.
3. Go to your purchase history or library. Find the item that's throwing the error.
4. Click Download or Install again. This replaces the old file and its license.
5. Try playing it in Windows Media Player again.

If you bought music from the old Xbox Music or Groove Music store, it'll be in the Microsoft Store under your library. Don't bother searching through Windows Media Player's library—the store app handles licenses.

Fix 2: Refresh the DRM License Without Re-Downloading

For files that are still in your library but the license just needs a nudge.

1. Close Windows Media Player completely.
2. Open the Microsoft Store app.
3. Click your profile picture, then Settings.
4. Under Music & Video, toggle Show online music and video content off, then on again. This forces a license refresh.
5. Restart Windows Media Player and try playing the file again.

This trick worked on Windows 10 22H2 and still works on Windows 11 23H2. It's basically telling the store to re-check your licenses.

Fix 3: Run the DRM Cleanup Tool

I don't usually recommend this first because it can mess up your media library if you're not careful. But if the above two fail, it's your best bet.

1. Press Win + R, type %programdata%\Microsoft\Windows\DRM, and hit Enter.
2. Delete everything in that folder. Don't worry—it's just cached license data.
3. Restart your PC.
4. Open Windows Media Player. It'll re-download licenses for your purchased files when you play them.

I've used this on dozens of machines. It wipes the slate clean without deleting your actual media files. But do a full backup of your music folder first if you're nervous.

Alternative Fixes That Work Sometimes

• Reset Windows Media Player: Go to Settings > Apps > Windows Media Player > Advanced Options > Reset. This reinstalls the app without losing your library.
• Use a Different Player: VLC Media Player (free) ignores DRM entirely. If you own the file but the license is dead, VLC plays the unprotected audio/video. Not a permanent fix, but gets you through the night.
• Contact the Store's Support: For purchases from third-party stores like Amazon or iTunes, their support can reset the license count. I've had iTunes support refresh a movie license in under 10 minutes.

Prevention Tip: Keep Your Account Signed In

The single biggest cause of this error is signing out of the Microsoft Store or changing your password. DRM licenses tie to your account's token. Signing out invalidates them. So keep your Microsoft Store signed in, and if you change your password, run Fix 2 above for all your purchased files. Also, don't delete the DRM folder unless you have to—it's like dynamite: works great, but there's collateral damage.

That's it. Hope this gets you back to your music or movie. I've been there—nothing worse than buying a song and being told you can't play it.