Windows 10: Microsoft is deprecating Legacy DRM services - these clients are affected

Microsoft has added another feature to the list of deprecated Windows features. After tagging Paint 3D and Adobe Type1 fonts as deprecated in August 2024, it set its eyes on legacy DRM features this time.

DRM refers to Digital Rights Management. It is used to allow playback of protected media.

Deprecation means that the feature will be removed eventually from Windows. Microsoft does not say when this is going to happen for the mentioned features.

The details:

• The change affects DRM on Windows 7 and Windows 8 only. Microsoft does not mention Windows 8.1, which makes it unclear if the system is also affected.
• Windows Media Player and Silverlight are mentioned specifically by Microsoft.

Windows 7: Windows Media Player affected




Windows 7 users who use Windows Media Player to play DRM content won't be able to do so anymore once Microsoft removes the functionality.

This means:

• If you used Windows Media Player to rip CDs with protected content, then you won't be able to play these CDs anymore.
• Windows Media Player won't play any protected content anymore. This may include purchased media.

Windows 7 users who used Media Player to rip content may need to use another program to rip the CDs again. The free CDex is a great audio CD ripper.

Microsoft released a Digital Rights Update Tool to the Microsoft Store that allows users to remove copy protection of wma audio files ripped with Windows Media Player. This may also work, but requires Windows 10 or newer. The tool is notoriously buggy according to reviews.

Windows 8: Silverlight and more


Windows 8 machines won't be able to play protected content anymore as well once the change lands.

Microsoft mentions Silverlight clients and also Windows 8 clients as affected. The effect is the same as on Windows 7: any attempt to play protected content in a Microsoft tool or a player that uses Microsoft technology is blocked once Microsoft removes the functionality.

This also affects streaming from a Silverlight or Windows 8 client to Microsoft's Xbox 360.

Windows 7 and 8 are not supported anymore


Both operating systems that Microsoft mentions are not supported anymore (apart from select non-Consumer versions). Both ran out of support in early 2023, which means that Microsoft is not creating updates for the systems anymore.

While most Windows users have upgraded their devices to newer versions of Windows, a sizeable percentage of users is still using devices with these operating systems.

Statcounter estimates that about 3 percent of Windows users are still on Windows 7 or Windows 8. With more than a billion Windows devices, that is still a sizeable number of users.

Closing Words


Microsoft released a new Windows Media Player in the meantime for newer versions of Windows. This player does not appear fully compatible with DRM media files created on Windows 7 using legacy DRM systems.

You may try the tool mentioned above to remove DRM, but it may not work in all cases. You can check out the latest deprecated features on Microsoft's website.

Are you affected by Microsoft's decision? Did you use Windows Media Player or Silverlight in the past? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft is deprecating Legacy DRM services - these clients are affected appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

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Deprecation of legacy Microsoft LAPS product

Hi all,

My environment : Windows domain , domain controllers : windows server 2016 standard , forest/doman function level 2008 R2 , legacy Microsoft LAPS installed and working.

I have read Windows LAPS overview

As of October 23, 2023 the legacy legacy Microsoft LAPS product is deprecated.

Installation of the legacy Microsoft LAPS MSI package is blocked on newer OS versions.

So gpo that install msi LAPs Client will not work for Windows 11 client anymore but does it affect applying gpo to change the local admin password on the client computer ? I mean New Built-in LAPs Client for Windows 11 and 10. You no longer have to install the LAP MSI client on Windows devices because LAPs is an Inbox feature --> so legacy Microsoft LAPS gpo still work with windows 11 client ? (except the part installation of Microsoft LAPS MSI package msi)

Or I have to migrate to Windows LAPS ?

* Moved from Windows 11/Settings

 

Deprecation of legacy Microsoft LAPS product

Hello Jack Chuong,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

So gpo that install msi LAPs Client will not work for Windows 11 client anymore but does it affect applying gpo to change the local admin password on the client computer? I mean New Built-in LAPs Client for Windows 11 and 10.

A1: You need to configure and deploy Windows LAPS for Windows 10 with Windows Updates released on April 11, 2023 and Windows 11. Then the machines will generate Windows LAPS.

You no longer have to install the LAP MSI client on Windows devices because LAPs is an Inbox feature --> so legacy Microsoft LAPS gpo still work with windows 11 client? (except the part installation of Microsoft LAPS MSI package msi)

A2: As of October 23, 2023 the legacy legacy Microsoft LAPS product is deprecated, starting with the next versions of Windows 11 and Windows Server. Installation of the legacy Microsoft LAPS MSI package is blocked on newer OS versions, and Microsoft will no longer consider code changes for the legacy Microsoft LAPS product.

Or I have to migrate to Windows LAPS?
A3: For New Built-in LAPs Client for Windows 11 and 10, if you want to use Windows LAPS, you need to migrate them.

For more information. please refer to link below.

Get started with Windows LAPS and Windows Server Active Directory | Microsoft Learn

Windows LAPS overview | Microsoft Learn

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,
Daisy Zhou

 

Why DRM Crashes Games on 12th Gen Intel Processors

Source: Why Can Digital Rights Management (DRM) Crash Some Games on 12th Gen... See also:

• List of Games Affected by DRM Issue in 12th Gen Intel(R)...
• Game Dev Guide for Alder Lake Performance Hybrid Architecture