WMP 11 License Backup & Restore

I reloaded my machine yesterday after having some OS problems. Got
everything loaded, laterst versions of everything (including WMP 11,
previously on WMP 10). I went to restore my license files (which I had
backed up) for my DRM-enabled media I bought from WalMart.com, and POOF! - no
backup & restore options.

That's right, WMP 11 has removed all license backup & restore functionality.
In their docs, they say you must contact the store to renew the licenses.

I think it's rediculous to not allow a user to back up his licences. If he
paid for music and has a backup, why should he have to re-contact the company
he bought it from and prove that he is the owner, and then be at the mercy of
their policy for re-issuing a license (which they may choose not to do). I
think this is a MAJOR oversight by the WMP 11 development team. And while
I'm sure they did it for a reason, if any of them watch this forum, I urge
them to reconsider. For me, this is a major problem - I am considering
switching back to iTunes (they let you backup & restore).
/rant
/soapbox

Now, here's how I got around it. Keep in mind my system backup was WMP10,
and I had already loaded WMP11 and noticed the no restore facility.

Step1: Close Media Player & all IE windows
Step2: Rename 'C:\Documents & Settings\All Users\DRM' folder to something
else, I used DRM_old.
Step3: Restore old 'C:\Documents & Settings\All Users\DRM' folder from backup.
Step4: Reboot (possibly not necessary, but I did, so I put it here)
Step5: Re-install WMP11. This seems to convert the DRM files from the old
WMP10 to the new WMP11 format.
Step6: Enjoy!

For me, this got around the problem, but it still dosen't fix how I can't
backup & restore in the future, so I am hoping the WMP developers take pity
on us users and re-introduce the feature.

Thanks for listening!
--Dave

 

i can't find the DRM folder
but my problem is more
that i'm not annoyed from the paid CDs
my private work as sound engineer so i always copy my music to CDs and i
used to rip them on my pc
and now ..
my private music i can't hear to

 

As near as I understand it, it's the other way around. By putting the onus
on you the user to manage your license back-ups, your life sucked. By
putting the onus on the store to let you restore your licenses, my grandma
doesn't have to worry about her license back-ups anymore - the store knows
and can refresh her if needed.

So I get where you're coming from, but I think if you give it a little
thought it's a minor irritation that's got a stunning amount of overall
value add. =)

-Zach

 

While I understand that logic and feel for your grandma, why not leave the
option for those of us who ARE prepared?

While I like the idea of being able to have the licence renewed by the music
store I work with, but I don't think the music stores are on-board with these
policies yet. Wal-Mart.com gives you 90 days to redownload or reactivate a
license, but after that you have to call customer service and try convince
them you aren't a pirate. Their documentation and FAQ says back up your
licenses, and gives the details of how to do it (on < WMP11).

--Dave

 

Restoring your DRM folder may fix your problem too....

The DRM folder I referred to is a hidden folder. To use Windows Explorer to
navigate to this folder, you must first turn on the display of hidden
folders. In Windows Explorer, on the 'Tools' menu, click 'Folder Options'. On
the 'View' tab, under 'Advanced Settings', under 'Files and Folders', under
'Hidden files and folders', click 'Show hidden files and folders'.

That will let you see the DRM folder.

--Dave

 

Just wait until you change computer in a couple of years and want to move
the music to it. I had to contact my store to get new licenses. MS DRM is
completely useless. It's based on RIAAs stranglehold and totally consumer
unfriendly. I'll never buy a piece of music based on it until I'm am given
the right to move the music between MY computers. Just wait until the masses
awakes and find their music is unplayable.

Switch back to iTunes since you'll have the ability to register and
unregister your computers for playing music.

 

Agreed (+1 here)

Agreed (+1 here)

<cough> So somehow iTunes DRM is "OK" ? </cough>

Who's chain are you pulling here ? Apple won't license it to *anybody*
else, so all the device makers like Roku, Creative, and (choose random
MP3 player here) can't implement AAC + DRM playback on their devices.
At all. End of story. It's a complete and reprehensible lock down.

Hence the number of posts about "why won't my (preferred portable
audio player that-is-not-an-iPod)" play AAC ? The answer is of course
- it can, but just not apple DRM'd files.

DRM = Spawn of satan in my view and hopefully the view of customers
who wake up to the fact they're renting not buying music from the
online stores.


Cheers - Neil

 

This sounds like something that's worthwhile to have happen. It seems that
if services aren't offering this functionality and don't offer this
functionality over time, that's where the choice within the ecosystem comes
into play and becomes of high value. =)

 

i tried so ..
but it don't show it
although it is there as when i type its address in the address bar
it opens ..
and by clicking on its options it displays it is containing about 18 file
but non is shown even after making the option to display the hidden files
hmmmm
what's next /

 

You say that you Re-installed WMP 11. But at what point did you uninstall it? In Step 1 it just says you closed it.