Allow or Block Protected Media Licenses in Microsoft Edge

This guide explains how to control whether Microsoft Edge can save protected media licenses, which are used to play DRM-protected content like Netflix, Spotify, or other streaming services. By default, Edge saves these licenses to allow offline playback and faster re-authentication. If you want to prevent sites from saving licenses (for privacy or storage reasons) or re-enable them if they were blocked, follow the steps below. You only need a computer with Microsoft Edge installed.

What You’ll Need

• Microsoft Edge installed (any recent version).
• Administrator rights on your user account (usually not required, but helpful if settings are managed by an organization).

Step-by-Step

1. Open Microsoft Edge. Launch the browser from your desktop, taskbar, or Start menu.
2. Access Settings. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner of the browser window, then select Settings from the dropdown menu.
3. Go to Site permissions. In the left sidebar, click Cookies and site permissions (or simply Site permissions on some versions). This will open a list of permission categories.
4. Find Protected media licenses. Scroll down the list and click on Protected media licenses. It is usually near the bottom, under the “Additional permissions” section.
5. Choose your preferred setting. You will see a toggle switch labeled “Sites can save protected media licenses on this device”.
   • To allow saving, ensure the toggle is on (blue).
   • To prevent saving, turn the toggle off (grey).
6. Optionally, manage per-site exceptions. Below the toggle, there is a section called “Allowed” and “Blocked” where you can add specific sites. Click the Add button next to the appropriate list, type the site’s URL (e.g., netflix.com), and click Add. This lets you override the global setting for individual sites.
7. Restart Edge. Close and reopen the browser to ensure the changes take effect. Some sites may require a page refresh.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing “protected media licenses” with “cookies.” These are separate permissions. Changing cookie settings will not affect DRM licenses.
• Not refreshing the page after changing the setting. The site may still use the old permission until you reload the tab.
• Assuming blocking licenses prevents all playback. Blocking licenses may still allow streaming (if the site uses a different DRM method), but offline downloads will likely fail.
• Forgetting to check if an organization manages your Edge. If Edge is managed by a school or company, the toggle may be greyed out and cannot be changed locally.

Tips

• Use per-site exceptions for flexibility. Instead of blocking all sites, block only the ones you don’t trust or rarely use, and keep the global setting enabled for your main streaming services.
• Clear existing licenses if you want to remove saved data. Go to Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Choose what to clear → select “Cached images and files” (which often includes licenses) and click Clear now. This does not delete your account or subscription.
• Keep the setting enabled for offline viewing. If you download movies or shows for offline use, you must allow licenses to be saved. Disabling this will break that feature.
• Check site-specific settings first. If a particular site isn’t playing, click the lock icon (or “i” icon) next to the URL, go to Site permissions, and see if “Protected media licenses” is set to “Block” there.

Troubleshooting

• I turned off the toggle, but sites still save licenses. This can happen if the site is using a different DRM system that doesn’t rely on Edge’s license storage. Also, check if you have added the site to the “Allowed” list under this permission. Remove it if you want to block it.
• I turned on the toggle, but a site still won’t play or download. First, refresh the page. If that doesn’t work, close Edge completely and reopen it. Then, check the site’s own settings—some services require you to log out and log back in after changing permissions. Also, ensure your system date and time are correct, as DRM licenses are time-sensitive.
• The toggle is greyed out. This usually means Edge is managed by an organization (like a school or employer). Contact your IT administrator to change the policy, or use a personal device if allowed.
• After blocking, I can’t play any DRM content. That’s expected. To restore playback, turn the toggle back on and refresh the page. If it still fails, clear the browser cache and try again.
• I cleared licenses, but the site still remembers me. Clearing licenses doesn’t log you out. You need to clear cookies or use the site’s own “sign out” option to fully reset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a protected media license?

It’s a digital key that lets your browser decrypt and play DRM-protected content, such as movies from Netflix or songs from Spotify. It’s stored on your device so you don’t have to re-authenticate every time.

Will blocking licenses stop all video playback?

Not necessarily. Some sites use HTML5 video without DRM, which will still play. However, services that rely on DRM (like most major streaming platforms) will likely fail to play or download content.

Does this setting affect other browsers?

No. This setting only applies to Microsoft Edge. Other browsers like Chrome or Firefox have their own separate DRM license storage.

Can I allow licenses for one site but block others?

Yes, use the “Allowed” and “Blocked” lists under the Protected media licenses permission. Add specific domains to override the global toggle.

Is it safe to allow protected media licenses?

Yes, it’s generally safe. The licenses are encrypted and tied to your device. They are not used for tracking, and you can clear them at any time.

Why would I want to block protected media licenses?

Some users block them to reduce storage usage, prevent offline downloads on shared devices, or avoid potential DRM-related glitches. However, it’s rarely necessary for privacy since licenses don’t contain personal data.

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