Jun 9, 2011 11:15 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has officially confirmed issues impacting customers running Windows 7 RTM and Windows 7 SP1, with copyright protected content failing to play on their computers.

According to the software giant, this occurs only on machines that are preconfigured with Windows 7. Media files that are either Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) protected or Zune DRM protected can be affected by the problem.

“This issue occurs because Windows 7 is preinstalled on a new computer by using image-based Windows deployment technology. Windows Media DRM and Zune DRM systems are affected by this type of Windows 7 installation,” the Redmond company explained.

Microsoft is not providing users with an update or an automated fix designed to resolve the glitch described above. With no hotfix available, users can turn to a manual workaround which involves the resetting of the DRM systems.

This can be done with the help of the ResetDRM tool, the software giant revealed, and users should make their way to KB976590, which contains a detailed description of the steps they need to take in order to have Windows Media DRM and Zune DRM protected media files play on Windows 7 RTM and SP1.

Here is the guidance Microsoft is offering customers:

Test whether Windows Media DRM and Zune DRM function correctly on your computer. To do this, follow these steps:

- Download a sample media file and save it to your computer. Open the downloaded file to play the media.

- If you receive an error message about media usage rights when you try to play the media file, you must use the ResetDRM tool.

To use the ResetDRM tool, follow these steps:

- Download the ResetDRM tool and save it to your desktop.

- Right-click ResetDRM.exe, and then click Run as administrator to reset the Windows Media DRM and Zune DRM systems.

- Replay the downloaded media file that was used in step 1 to re-test Windows Media DRM and Zune DRM.”