When This Error Shows Up
You're trying to back up your Windows Media Player licenses — maybe you're reinstalling Windows, or you got a new PC. You open WMP, go to Tools > Manage Licenses, and click Back Up. Then boom: "Your media usage rights were not backed up because the backup was canceled. The exact error code is: 0XC00D1134."
Had a client last month who thought his whole music library was toast. He'd been ripping CDs for years, and the error scared him. But it's just a naming hiccup — not a lost cause.
Why It Happens
Windows Media Player stores your license backups in a folder called "DRM Backup" inside your user profile. When you run the backup tool, it creates a new backup file in that folder. The error 0XC00D1134 means "name collision" — there's already a backup file with the same name from a previous attempt. WMP gets confused and bails out.
This usually happens if:
- You've backed up licenses before on the same machine — even months ago.
- The backup folder got corrupted or has leftover junk.
- You're trying to restore a backup to a different Windows user account.
The Fix — Step by Step
Skip the registry hacks or command-line stuff. The real fix is to clear out the old backup folder and let WMP start fresh.
Step 1: Close Windows Media Player
Make sure WMP is completely closed. Check the system tray — right-click the WMP icon and choose Exit if it's running there.
Step 2: Find the DRM Backup Folder
Open File Explorer and paste this into the address bar:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player\DRM BackupPress Enter. You'll see a folder called something like "DRM Backup" with a bunch of random-named files inside.
Step 3: Rename or Delete the Folder
Right-click the "DRM Backup" folder and choose Rename. Add .old at the end of the folder name (like "DRM Backup.old"). This keeps your old backup as a safety net in case something goes wrong.
If you're feeling confident, just delete the whole folder. Windows will recreate it when you run the backup again.
Step 4: Run the Backup Again
Open Windows Media Player. Go to Tools > Manage Licenses (if you don't see the menu bar, press Alt). Click Back Up Now. Pick a folder to save the backup — use the default location or choose a USB drive. Click OK.
This time, it should work without the error. The backup file gets a fresh name with no collisions.
Step 5: Test It
Once the backup finishes, try restoring it to make sure everything's clean. Go to Tools > Manage Licenses > Restore. Point it at the backup file you just created. If it restores without errors, you're golden.
If It Still Fails
Okay, so renaming the folder didn't work. Here's what to check:
- Permissions: Right-click the DRM Backup folder, go to Properties > Security. Make sure your user account has Full Control. If not, click Edit and give yourself permission.
- Antivirus: Some antivirus software (especially Norton or McAfee) blocks WMP from writing to the DRM folder. Temporarily disable your antivirus, then try the backup again. If it works, add an exception for %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player\.
- Corrupted User Profile: Rare, but I've seen it. Try the backup while logged into a different Windows user account. If it works there, your main profile has deeper issues.
- Wrong Folder: Double-check the path. Some Windows versions use %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player\ instead. When in doubt, search for "DRM Backup" from File Explorer.
One more thing: if you're trying to restore a backup from an old PC on a new one, the error can also pop up if the backup file name is too long or has weird characters. Shorten the file name to something like "mylicenses.drm" and try again.
Had a client last week who spent hours messing with registry keys. All he needed was to rename the folder. Don't overcomplicate it.