HowTo Instructions for Removing DRM with drmdbg & FreeMe2 (from Windows Media Player)

[kristo]

Stuff works (XP SP3 WMP11)

Will get back to it soon with instructions but now I'm going for a beer

[kristo]

I got my info from TS concerning drmdbg and unDRM.info concerning FreeMe2. As the instructions on those pages are 'old' I had to be creative.

My system as I used it

XP Home fresh install + SP3 + updates (not the most latest)
WMP11 (from windows update site) without any updates
[this will not work with WMP9]

What did I use it on

DRM protected wmv from a local (Belgium) TV network

http://www.iwatch.be/2007/player.php?item_id=4388

Instructions

(Get an unzipper; I use Winrar)

Individualize your computer @ services.wmdrm.windowsmedia.com/indivSite/en/indivit.asp.


Get FreeMe2; I got it from sourceforge.

Unzip folder 'FreeMe2' into 'Program Files' or whatever.

Get drmdbg; I got it from Download the latest version of drmdbg.exe; file is 'drmdbg_2009_03_03.7z' (suppose filename depends on latest update).

Unzip the exe and txt (which I can't read) into the 'FreeMe2' folder (or where-ever you want but this is easy). So I got in the 'FreeMe2' folder a new folder 'drmdbg_2009_03_03' with in it the exe and txt file.
[There is no need for a 'DRM Removal Kit' folder as mentioned in TS]

Put your DRM-protected file into the 'drmdbg_2009_03_03' folder.

Play your DRM-protected file with WMP (validate the license). As my WMP11 was newly installed, some DRM related (I suppose) content was installed when first playing the file.

Stop playing the file. Close WMP.

Run drmdbg.exe. Drmdbg will run and WMP will open (A 'DRM2' folder with 'DRM2.key' should be created).
[No need to click 'Multi Scan' as mentioned in TS]
Hit 'Play' in WMP, the keys will be displayed in the bottom box of drmdbg (beside 'Clear'). Close drmdbg, WMP will close also.

Move 'DRM2.key' from the 'DRM2' folder to the 'FreeMe2' folder, rename it to 'drm2.key' (yes from upper to lower case).
Move the DRM-protected file also to the 'FreeMe2' folder.

Drag the DRM-protected file onto 'FreeMe2.exe'.
[Running the exe by clicking it won't work, using the command line won't work]

A DOS window 'FreeMe2.exe' will open processing your file. A file 'Freed-your_file_name' will be created, freed from DRM.

Enjoy the DRM-free content!

Do reply when this worked for you.
Do post edited instructions when you needed to change them for your situation.

Since I need to study I cannot guarantee to help you when you experience problems.

Thank you Kristo! And the freeme2 and drmdbg developers too!

Your instructions were great. It worked flawlessly.


I was so pissed off at Warner Brothers. I just got the new Green Lantern movie on Blu Ray, with the "digital copy" so my kids could watch it on their iPods, only to find out that it is WM specific and won't work on Macs or iPods!

It will now. I just removed the drm. Next up is converting to mp4!

Kristo you are the man! I have been driving myself crazy trying to get drmdbg and freeme2 to work but could not quite get it right. Your updated instructions worked perfectly. I was able to use it on Amazon unbox videos that I purchased and now am able to burn them to dvds and watch on my TV.

[fasfakl]

Doesn't seem to work for me. I followed kristo's steps verbatim, but I'm left with files that do play, but they're silent in Media Player Classic and garbled in WMP11.

Files are in .wma format
drmdbg.exe 03/03/2009
WMP v11.0.5721.5260
Indiv01.key v11.0.6001.8015
XP SP3

What could be wrong?

Originally Posted by fasfakl

Doesn't seem to work for me. I followed kristo's steps verbatim, but I'm left with files that do play, but they're silent in Media Player Classic and garbled in WMP11.

Files are in .wma format
drmdbg.exe 03/03/2009
WMP v11.0.5721.5260
Indiv01.key v11.0.6001.8015
XP SP3
What could be wrong?

Your IBX is too high.

[fasfakl]

ohhh, curses!!!!
I assume that means I'm stuck until the next release of drmdbg.

If you can re-acquire licences, you can install a fresh copy of Windows XP, disable automatic updates and enjoy DRM removal software.

You can also downgrade Windows Media Player to a previous version. But you will need to re-acquire licences anyway.

Please note that some content providers force to upgrade to the latest version of IBX.

And you can always use lossy DRM removal programs.

[kristo]

Does this mean this IBX file has recently been updated by Microsoft and included this in its updates for Windows, rendering drmdbg.exe 03/03/2009 useless?

Can I check wich IBX version I have?

Originally Posted by kristo

Can I check wich IBX version I have?

Windows Media Player 10/11: How to determine IBX version