Windows Media Player 11 Security update [resolved]

[Cashie]

Hi

I used to have an old version of Windows Media Player (pre-version 8), which used to play most tracks (WMA files) fine but I thought that I would upgrade to version 11.

I upgraded to this at the weekend but now I cannot play any tracks that I have. Whenever I attempt to play a track, windows displays a message:

Windows Media Player cannot play the protected file because a security upgrade is required. Do you want to download the security upgrade?

I click yes and then windows advises me:

The file or device that you are trying to use requires a component of windows media player to be upgraded.

Click upgrade to download and install the required component

I click upgrade from here and nothing happens.

I've gone all through Microsoft online but cannot find a solution.

Any advice anybody?

[epots9]

Hi Cashie welcome to TSDN,

i've never seen this problem before so the only thing i can say is to try uninstalling media player 11, redownload it and install again.

[soccerstud652]

I have the same exact problem. I have found this, but the link does not seem to work. Anyone else have and help on this?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925705/en-us,

http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/...en/indivit.asp

[bartonc]

I have the same exact problem. I have found this, but the link does not seem to work. Anyone else have and help on this?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925705/en-us,

http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/...en/indivit.asp

It could have been a problem with the Microsoft site. I saw it fail once, but now it seems to work. Give it another try.

[epots9]

I have the same exact problem. I have found this, but the link does not seem to work. Anyone else have and help on this?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925705/en-us,

http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/...en/indivit.asp

Hi soccerstud652 welcome to TSDN,

i went to those links u posted and they were working, try them again, they should do the trick.

post your outcome.

good luck

[soccerstud652]

Hi soccerstud652 welcome to TSDN,

i went to those links u posted and they were working, try them again, they should do the trick.

post your outcome.

good luck

Ya, I went to the first link and then to the second link, but the box just stays grey'ed in. Can someone possibly send me the downloaded fix via email (email me at <removed>) or upload it somewhere for me to download (an alternate site)?

Thank you for the welcome btw! : )

[bartonc]

Ya, I went to the first link and then to the second link, but the box just stays grey'ed in. Can someone possibly send me the downloaded fix via email (email me at <removed>) or upload it somewhere for me to download (an alternate site)?

Thank you for the welcome btw! : )

Here is a link to the Download Center.

[soccerstud652]

Yes, but I cannot seem to get a specific link to that specific download. Can I get some help here?

[bartonc]

Yes, but I cannot seem to get a specific link to that specific download. Can I get some help here?

You can try:
Forcing an update of your entire system
Finding an update in WMP menus
Re-installing WMP
Switching to a different media player

I've had some frustrating experiences lately using the update site.
My thought is "the less M$ messes with my system, the better".

[epots9]

Ya, I went to the first link and then to the second link, but the box just stays grey'ed in. Can someone possibly send me the downloaded fix via email (email me at <removed>) or upload it somewhere for me to download (an alternate site)?

Thank you for the welcome btw! : )

u are using firefox as your browser aren't u? well....M$ doesn't like that, when u go to the second link the yellow bar (tested and seen in ie7) will appear telling u to install the activeX component, once u do so the button will appear.

Bartonc's download center link works for me in ie7 and firefox, can u at least get the file downloaded or it doesn't download?

[soccerstud652]

Which link in the download center will fix my problem?

[epots9]

Which link in the download center will fix my problem?

in the download center there are 3 drop down lists, select windows media player for the first, version 11 for the second, and whatever language u want it in for the third.

then click the 'download now' button. It will redownload the install file for media player 11.

uninstall your current version and reinstall it from that downloaded file.

let how know how it goes.

good luck

[Chrisjc]

Or you could always just download WINAMP

=)

If that doesnt work... and if you must really have WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER

maybe a reformat?

[soccerstud652]

FIXED IT!

Here is how I did it. I did not do the step that requires you to locate and rename the DRM file, so be sure to do that!

Firstly, please close Windows Media Player if it is currently running. The DRM folder on your PC is hidden by default. Please take the following steps to make it visible:

1. Click "Start", then "Run".

2. Type "control folders" in the box and press Enter.

3. In the window that appears, select the "View" tab.

4. Select "Show hidden files and folders".

5. Un-select "Hide protected operating system files/folders".

6. Un-select "Hide extensions for know file types".

Next, locate your DRM folder:

Under WinXP/2000 this folder should be located at C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/DRM

If you cannot find the DRM folder, please go through steps 1 to 6 above carefully, ensuring that the correct options are set.

Once you have found the DRM folder, please rename it to "DRMBACKUP". If you now attempt to play your tracks Windows Media Player will perform a security upgrade, which resets all of the necessary DRM files. Each track should then request a new license when you first play it and will then play as normal and should be burnable to CD.

7. Download the update at:

http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/...crlupdate.html

Found here:
<Mod EDIT: removed url: sorry other forums to get to have links here>

[xdawol]

Soccerstud

Brilliant post. I've been suffering the same problem and there's no hint from Microsoft as to how to solve it. Like you I tried all sorts of stuff like uninstalling WMP 11, re-installing WMP 10, checking the various kb articles.

So thanks for this.

Now I can get back to grumbling about how rubbish WMP is instead of grumbling about not being able to use it....

[wiggytoo]

At last - thanks for this post - I have struggled for ages to find the right link with the Upgrade button not greyed out - and I was misleading myself with a DRM folder in another location - when I finally followed the exact steps it all worked - I am very very grateful to you for this post.

Wiggy

[loubird]

I have followed your instructions and found the DRM folder but it won' t let me rename it to DRMBACKUP - any suggestions?
Thanks.

FIXED IT!

Here is how I did it. I did not do the step that requires you to locate and rename the DRM file, so be sure to do that!

Firstly, please close Windows Media Player if it is currently running. The DRM folder on your PC is hidden by default. Please take the following steps to make it visible:

1. Click "Start", then "Run".

2. Type "control folders" in the box and press Enter.

3. In the window that appears, select the "View" tab.

4. Select "Show hidden files and folders".

5. Un-select "Hide protected operating system files/folders".

6. Un-select "Hide extensions for know file types".

Next, locate your DRM folder:

Under WinXP/2000 this folder should be located at C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/DRM

If you cannot find the DRM folder, please go through steps 1 to 6 above carefully, ensuring that the correct options are set.

Once you have found the DRM folder, please rename it to "DRMBACKUP". If you now attempt to play your tracks Windows Media Player will perform a security upgrade, which resets all of the necessary DRM files. Each track should then request a new license when you first play it and will then play as normal and should be burnable to CD.

7. Download the update at:

http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/...crlupdate.html

Found here:
<Mod EDIT: removed url: sorry other forums to get to have links here>

[epots9]

I have followed your instructions and found the DRM folder but it won' t let me rename it to DRMBACKUP - any suggestions?
Thanks.

try booting up into safe mode.

[SupremeDeity]

Hello,

This was a timely post. I was just having this same issue with not being able to play purchased WMA files. Using the information above, it appears I was able to do the security update for WMP 11, but I am still unable to play the files. The message I get is that "The file or device that you are trying to use requires a component of Windows Media Player to be upgraded. Click Upgrade to download and install the required component.". And of course the upgrade fails. I can't really tell what upgrade it is trying to access as WMP seems to be fully up to date. Downgrading to WMP 10 isn't possible and it won't play the purchased files either after trying on another machine.

Any ideas?

[coolowl]

SoccerStud, THANK YOU for taking the time to figure out this problem and then coming back here and posting the solution. I just downloaded my first two songs today from WalMart and have been frustrated for about two hours trying to figure out how to play them. I stumbled onto this site and found your solution. Tried it and it worked perfectly.

Thanks again. The only thing I now wonder is if I should go back to the DRMbackup folder and delete it. I kind of hate to mess with anything now that my songs play.

[tem4]

Hi

I used to have an old version of Windows Media Player (pre-version 8), which used to play most tracks (WMA files) fine but I thought that I would upgrade to version 11.

I upgraded to this at the weekend but now I cannot play any tracks that I have. Whenever I attempt to play a track, windows displays a message:

Windows Media Player cannot play the protected file because a security upgrade is required. Do you want to download the security upgrade?

I click yes and then windows advises me:

The file or device that you are trying to use requires a component of windows media player to be upgraded.

Click upgrade to download and install the required component

I click upgrade from here and nothing happens.

I've gone all through Microsoft online but cannot find a solution.

Any advice anybody?

Hi um well i am experiencing the same thing as you because i was trying to watch a music video but it wouldn't work,and the exact same thing as you said and when i click on upgrade it doesn't do anything..

PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP..I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO..

[lrena]

Same issue plus added problem:

I want to view a protected WMA file (library audiobook download) on a computer that doesn't have an internet connection. Just downloaded latest Media Player 11 from MS website and got the same message box described in this thread - upgrade the DRM files in WM Player 11.

How can I correct the problem if I don't have an Internet connection?

Thanks.