A vintage computer screen showing the Windows Media Player logo fading, with CDs and DVDs marked with a 'no access' symbol, symbolizing the end of media playback support for Windows 7 and 8 due to Microsoft's retirement of legacy DRM services.

The Day the Music Died on Windows 7 & 8: No More DRM Playback

Planning| Windows 7| Windows 8| End Of Life
September 16, 2024•1 min read

In September 2024, Microsoft will retire its legacy Digital Rights Management (DRM) services, affecting users of Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Media Player, and Silverlight. This change means that anyone using these outdated operating systems and media players will no longer be able to play DRM-protected content such as music, videos, or DVDs that they had legally purchased or ripped using these platforms.

Windows Media DRM (WMDRM), introduced in 1999, was a widely used technology for managing access to digital content. However, its deprecation will end the ability to play protected files on older platforms, and it won't be possible to stream content from Silverlight or Windows 8 apps to devices like the Xbox 360. This is part of Microsoft’s broader effort to phase out outdated features and encourage users to upgrade to more modern, secure versions of Windows, such as Windows 10 or 11​ (Windows Latest) ​(gHacks Technology News).

For those still using Windows 7 or 8, it’s highly recommended to upgrade to newer systems. Continuing to use these unsupported operating systems not only limits media playback but also poses significant security risks, as they no longer receive critical updates or patches. Upgrading to Windows 10 or 11 remains free and will provide access to modern features and improved security​ (Neowin) ​(ITIGIC).

This move marks another step in Microsoft's ongoing campaign to modernize its ecosystem by eliminating legacy tools and features, such as Silverlight and Paint 3D, which have already been deprecated in earlier updates.

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