NS_E_LICENSE_INCORRECT_RIGHTS (0XC00D0BC1) – Fix in 3 steps

What's actually happening here

You tried opening a media file — probably a .wma, .wmv, or .asf — and got NS_E_LICENSE_INCORRECT_RIGHTS (0XC00D0BC1). The file has DRM (digital rights management) attached, and Windows Media Player says the license doesn't match your user account or device. This usually happens when you've reinstalled Windows, switched Microsoft accounts, or copied the file from another PC. The DRM license is tied to a specific machine identity and user certificate — change either one, and the license breaks.

First try (30 seconds) – Renew the license online

Don't overthink this yet. Sometimes the license just needs a fresh handshake with the licensing server.

1. Open Windows Media Player 12 (search for it in Start – the old one, not Groove or Media Player Legacy).
2. Press Alt to show the menu, then go to Tools > Options > Privacy.
3. Check Download usage rights automatically when I play a file.
4. Click OK, then try playing the file again.

If it works, you're done. The license server sent back the correct rights for your current account. If not, move on.

Second try (5 minutes) – Reset the DRM store

The DRM store is a folder full of encrypted license certificates. If any are corrupted or orphaned, WMP can't match them. Deleting the whole folder forces WMP to rebuild it from scratch.

1. Close WMP completely (check Task Manager for background processes).
2. Open File Explorer and type this into the address bar:

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

3. Delete everything inside that folder. Yes, everything. Windows will recreate it.
4. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

   net stop wmpshare & net start wmpshare

   This restarts the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, which also handles DRM.
5. Launch WMP again, try the file. It'll re-download the license on first play.

This clears 80% of DRM mismatches. If the error persists, the file itself might be tied to a dead license server — or an account you no longer have access to.

Third try (15+ minutes) – Nuke the protected content store and re-authorize

This is the nuclear option. We're going to delete the entire Windows Media DRM store. This invalidates all DRM licenses on your system. You'll need to re-download or re-acquire licenses for every protected file you want to play.

1. Close WMP and any app that uses Media Foundation (Edge, Photos, Groove Music).
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Run these three commands in order:

   net stop wmpshare
   net stop AudioEndpointBuilder
   net stop Audiosrv

4. Navigate to the DRM store:

   cd /d "%windir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PlayReady"

   (On some systems it's %windir%\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PlayReady)
5. Delete everything inside:

   del /f /s /q *.*

6. Restart the services:

   net start Audiosrv
   net start AudioEndpointBuilder
   net start wmpshare

7. Open WMP, go to Tools > Options > Privacy, and click Renew your Internet license. This regenerates the machine certificate.
8. Try the file again. WMP will prompt you to acquire a new license — accept it.

Why this works: The PlayReady folder holds the root certificates and domain-bound licenses. Deleting it forces WMP to create a fresh identity with the licensing server. The only downside is you lose every existing DRM license — but if you're reading this, they were already broken.

When to give up and use a different player

Some old DRM licenses (like those from 2005–2010 for subscription services) no longer have working servers. Microsoft's own Zune Marketplace and PlaysForSure stores are long dead. In that case, the file is a brick unless you strip the DRM — which is illegal in most countries. I'd recommend finding a DRM-free copy instead.

If the file uses Microsoft's newer PlayReady DRM (common in Store-purchased movies), sign in with the exact Microsoft account you used to buy it. If you changed accounts or don't remember, contact Microsoft support. They can migrate licenses between accounts, but it's a hassle.

One more thing about Windows 10/11

The error also shows up in the Movies & TV app and Windows Media Player Legacy (the UWP version). The fix is identical, but those apps use a slightly different DRM stack. If the above steps don't work inside the UWP app, try the original WMP 12 — it's still included in Windows for backwards compatibility. Search for wmplayer.exe in Start.