Adding a DRM File to Zune

I wasn't sure I could do this, but...

I downloaded an audiobook from the library. It was WMA with DRM protection. That was all that was available. So I started up OverDrive, and was hoping that after I downloaded it to my Windows 7 desktop, I could transfer a working copy to my Zune.

Here's what the OverDrive application looked like after the download:

So from here you select your audiobook on the right (it will turn blue), then the "Transfer" button is active
Select Transfer (after you've plugged in your Zune but close the Zune Software on the Windows 7 machine). OverDrive will go find your Zune and then ask you about downloading.

It shows up on the Zune in a new section called "audiobooks". Wow! Terrific! And it worked!

Update (2/10/2015)
The above method will NOT work with Windows Phones--the only WMA/DRM files that will work on Windows Phones must come via the XBox Music Service.

Using the Overdrive App on Windows Phone does not support WMA/DRM files either.

Please leave a comment if you know of any other device that will play WMA/DRM files checked out from the library.

Why can't I upgrade the security component in OverDrive Media Console (the upgrade button is grayed out)?

This one is a real pain.  You checked out a download audiobook  in WMA format from the library and you try to download using OverDrive and you get this message:

You need to update a "security" component in Windows Media Player.  Other sites had various suggestions. I keyed in on the link to this site.

http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/Indivsite/en/indivit.asp

But upon arrival the  "Upgrade" button was grayed out.  So I followed these instructions:

1.    Launch Internet Explorer (I used the Run As Administrator) option
(instead of left clicking on IE, Right click, then select Run As Administrator--here's a picture)

2.    Select Tools from the top menu, and click Internet Options.

3.    In the panel that pops up, select the Security tab.

4.    Uncheck the option for “Enable Protected Mode (requires restarting Internet Explorer)”

5.    Click Apply, OK, and close the Internet Explorer browser.

6.    Restart Internet Explorer and go to the address http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/Indivsite/en/indivit.asp.

7.    The  Upgrade button should now be operational.





But it wasn't. So I went back to the Tools Menus and in there I selected the following:

8. Go to tools, Compatibility view. (puts a check mark beside it)

That didn't work either, so I also added a check mark for:
9. Go to tools, Activex filtering

And that did work!


So I thought I'd pass it on.