Microsoft has added one other characteristic to the record of deprecated Home windows options. After tagging Paint 3D and Adobe Type1 fonts as deprecated in August 2024, it set its eyes on legacy DRM options this time.
DRM refers to Digital Rights Administration. It’s used to permit playback of protected media.
Deprecation implies that the characteristic shall be eliminated ultimately from Home windows. Microsoft doesn’t say when that is going to occur for the talked about options.
The small print:
- The change impacts DRM on Home windows 7 and Home windows 8 solely. Microsoft doesn’t point out Home windows 8.1, which makes it unclear if the system can also be affected.
- Home windows Media Participant and Silverlight are talked about particularly by Microsoft.
Home windows 7: Home windows Media Participant affected
Home windows 7 customers who use Home windows Media Participant to play DRM content material will not give you the option to take action anymore as soon as Microsoft removes the performance.
This implies:
- For those who used Windows Media Player to rip CDs with protected content material, then you definately will not have the ability to play these CDs anymore.
- Home windows Media Participant will not play any protected content material anymore. This may occasionally embody bought media.
Home windows 7 customers who used Media Participant to tear content material might have to make use of one other program to tear the CDs once more. The free CDex is a great audio CD ripper.
Microsoft launched a Digital Rights Update Tool to the Microsoft Retailer that enables customers to take away copy safety of wma audio recordsdata ripped with Home windows Media Participant. This may occasionally additionally work, however requires Home windows 10 or newer. The instrument is notoriously buggy in accordance with opinions.
Home windows 8: Silverlight and extra
Home windows 8 machines will not have the ability to play protected content material anymore as properly as soon as the change lands.
Microsoft mentions Silverlight shoppers and likewise Home windows 8 shoppers as affected. The impact is similar as on Home windows 7: any try and play protected content material in a Microsoft instrument or a participant that makes use of Microsoft know-how is blocked as soon as Microsoft removes the performance.
This additionally impacts streaming from a Silverlight or Home windows 8 shopper to Microsoft’s Xbox 360.
Home windows 7 and eight should not supported anymore
Each working techniques that Microsoft mentions are not supported anymore (aside from choose non-Shopper variations). Each ran out of assist in early 2023, which implies that Microsoft will not be creating updates for the techniques anymore.
Whereas most Home windows customers have upgraded their gadgets to newer variations of Home windows, a sizeable share of customers remains to be utilizing gadgets with these working techniques.
Statcounter estimates that about 3 % of Home windows customers are nonetheless on Home windows 7 or Home windows 8. With greater than a billion Home windows gadgets, that’s nonetheless a sizeable variety of customers.
Closing Phrases
Microsoft launched a brand new Home windows Media Participant within the meantime for newer variations of Home windows. This participant doesn’t seem totally appropriate with DRM media recordsdata created on Home windows 7 utilizing legacy DRM techniques.
It’s possible you’ll attempt the instrument talked about above to take away DRM, however it might not work in all instances. You may take a look at the latest deprecated features on Microsoft’s web site.
Are you impacted by Microsoft’s resolution? Did you utilize Home windows Media Participant or Silverlight prior to now? Be at liberty to go away a remark down beneath.
Abstract
Article Title
Microsoft is deprecating Legacy DRM providers – these shoppers are affected
Description
Microsoft is ending legacy DRM assist for 2 variations of Home windows; this will likely have an effect on playback of protected content material.
Writer
Martin Brinkmann
Writer
Ghacks Expertise Information
Brand
Commercial
