Microsoft is getting rid of Zune; the company first shot at competing with iTunes. For those who have bought music from Zune, it should be clear by now that come 2017, those songs won’t be playable via the program. They won’t be playable via Groove Music either due to DRM, so what to do?
The problem is, songs purchased via Zune are DRM protected, and as such, Microsoft has come up with two ways to allow owners to play them outside of Zune before March 1, 2017. By following the instructions Microsoft has provided via email, folks should be able to gain access to their songs DRM free.
For those who have not gotten the email, let’s share how to download your Zune tunes DRM-free.
The first option – Visit the Groove web app page, then launch into your collections. After that, use the filters only to show songs purchased before 2012. You’ll see the option to download them, so get to it.
The second option requires the need for a Windows 10 device and the Groove Music app. Go to your collections, use the same filters to show songs purchased before 2012.
As an original Zune customer, we appreciate you being a part of our music community from the start. As you know, we’ve continuously worked to evolve our music app and service, and with that evolution, some of our original licensing arrangements are expiring.
Our records show that you purchased music on Zune, so we’re writing to let you know that as of March 12, 2017, we will no longer be issuing licenses to WMA-protected (DRM) tracks purchased prior to 2012. If you have not already obtained licenses for outstanding purchased DRM tracks, you will be unable to play WMA DRM files locally after March 11, 2017.
Act fast – download your tracks as MP3s . We want to make it as easy as possible to access the music you bought before our March transition, so at no additional charge, we’re allowing you to download MP3 versions of your purchased songs – either within the Windows 10 Groove Music app, or at music.microsoft.com. We strongly recommend that you convert any DRM music you’ve purchased from Zune into MP3 format so that you may continue to play it wherever you like. You may occasionally find a track that’s no longer in our catalog. For the workaround, visit our support page – it has all the answers for keeping you and your music together for good.
Cheers!
