Windows 10: Microsoft confirms DRM playback issues in Windows

Microsoft revealed a remake of the classic video wallpaper feature DreamScene for Windows just yesterday. Today, Microsoft is confirming that recent versions of its Windows 11 operating system are plagued by a video playback issue.

Microsoft reveals information about the issue on the known issues and notifications page of Windows 11, version 24H2. Windows users who run the most recent version of Windows 11 on their devices may "experience problems playing protected content" writes Microsoft on the page.

The issue may occur after installing the non-security preview update of August 29, 2025 or later updates. Microsoft released the September 2025 cumulative update for Windows 11, version 24H2 on Tuesday 9, 2025 to the public.

Microsoft explains that the issue affects applications that use Enhanced Video Renderer with HDCP enforcement, or Digital Rights Management (DRM) for digital audio. Users may "experience copyright protection errors", such as "frequent playback interruptions, freezing, or black screens" according to Microsoft.

However, the issue does not affect video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max. In other words, the issue is affecting media playback apps, for instance DVD or Blu-Ray playing apps, or digital TV apps.

Enhanced Video Renderer is a legacy component that is replaced by Simple Video Renderer (SVR). This component is part of MediaPlayer and IMFMediaEngine. Microsoft does not name-shame any apps that still rely on the legacy component for playback. The apps affected by the issue are unknown because of this.

Microsoft says that it is working on a resolution for the issue. It plans to release updated information in the future, "when it is available". Affected users have just a few options at this point:

1. Downgrade the operating system to an earlier version that has a patch level pre-August 29th.
2. Switch to using a playback app that is not affected.
3. Avoid watching DRM-protected content in the apps until Microsoft resolves the issue.

Options one and two should fix the issue on the user's device, but they come with problems of their own. Uninstalling the September 2025 patch leaves the operating system vulnerable to potential attacks targeting the vulnerabilities that Microsoft fixed in the update.

Switching to another app may work, but since Microsoft did not provide a list of apps that are affected or do work, it is a hit-and-miss kind of situation. The developer of an app might provide an update to address the issue, for instance, by moving from using Enhanced Video Renderer to Simple Video Renderer.

All in all, the best option for most users is to sit this one out and wait for an official patch to arrive.

Now You: do you watch DRM-protected content on your Windows desktops? Are you affected by the issue? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

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DRM-protected video playback is extremely slow

Hello, Aaron Morgan3

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

Hello, sorry to hear about your problem, you have slow playback when playing drm protected videos .



First of all, thank you for your information, DRM (Digital Rights Management) is a technical measure taken to protect the copyright of video content. However, sometimes it may cause slow playback or other problems.



Before providing you with some suggestions, you can try to test playback this video on another device, you can also change the network environment for testing.



You can send us your feedback and we will provide you with further advice.

Thank you for your time and effort working on this issue.



Best wishes



Bobhe | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Issues with accessing playback devices after upgrading to Windows 10

Hi Vohn,

As you are facing issues with accessing the playback device option on your device, do not worry we will help you with this issue.

This issue might have occurred due to corrupted/ outdated audio drivers, try the below troubleshooting steps and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to run
Hardware and Devices troubleshooter as it checks for common problems and makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is installed correctly.

• Press Windows key from the keyboard, type
  Troubleshooting and select it.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner of
  Troubleshooting window.
• Select the Hardware and Device
  options from the list.
• Click Next to run the
  Hardware and Device Troubleshooter.

Step 2: I suggest you to refer to the below Microsoft help article try the troubleshooting steps suggested and check if it helps.

Fix sound problems

Hope it helps. Get back to us with an updated status of this issue for further assistance.

Thank you.

 

DRM for my ZUNE

Hi,

Since that, you're receiving an "Access Denied" error message when trying to reset DRM, we suggest restarting your computer in Safe Mode and log in as the computer administrator. To boot your PC in Safe Mode, please click

here.

Once your PC is in Safe Mode, Reset Windows Media DRM by deleting all the files in the Windows Media DRM folder. Note that the Windows Media DRM folder is a hidden system folder. To view hidden files and folders, follow
these steps:

• Click Start, and then click My Computer.
• On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the
  View tab.
• Click Show hidden files and folders, and then click to clear the
  Hide protected operating system files check box.

Here's how to locate and open the DRM folder:

• Press Windows+R.
• Type regedit and press Enter.
• Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\DRM\DataPath
  folder.
• By default, the path is displayed in binary format. To see the path in plain-text format, double-click
  DataPath.
• In the Edit Binary Value dialog box, the location of the
  DRM folder is at the column on the right.
• Select all the files in the DRM folder and press the
  Delete button.

To install the latest Windows Media DRM components, please click
here.

Tell us what would be the outcome.