How to Turn Off the Processing of HTML Scripts That Are Contained in Windows Media Files

This article describes an optional security configuration feature that you can use to turn off the processing of HTML scripts that are contained in Windows Media files.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

The Windows Media Player update that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article contains an optional security configuration feature: You can use this feature to turn off the processing of HTML scripts that are contained in Windows Media files.

The ability for Windows Media-based programs to respond to script commands was added to the Windows Media Format to enrich the user experience. Some programs use embedded script commands to deliver synchronized multimedia presentations, advertising, and DRM license acquisition.

Important After you turn off the processing of HTML scripts that are contained in Windows Media files, embedded script commands no longer function, and this also includes legitimate script commands. Note that this update only affects the stand-alone Windows Media Player tool. Instances of the ActiveX control that are hosted in another program (such as a Microsoft Visual Basic program or Web page) still respond to embedded script commands.

To change Windows Media Player script behavior, use one of the following methods.

Turn Off Browser Start Because of Script Command Processing and Turn Off DRM 1 License Acquisition

1. Insert the following text in a blank text (.txt) file, and then save the file with a .reg extension:
   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
   
   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences]
   "PlayerScriptCommandsEnabled"=dword:00000000
2. Double-click the .reg file to import it into the registry.

Turn On Browser Start Because of Script Command Processing and Turn On DRM 1 License Acquisition

1. Insert the following text in a blank text (.txt) file, and then save the file with a .reg extension:
   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
   
   [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences]
   "PlayerScriptCommandsEnabled"=dword:00000001
2. Double-click the .reg file to import it into the registry.

If this registry key does not exist, script commands and DRM 1 license acquisition is turned on.

Note By default, this feature is turned off in Windows Media Player 9 Series. To turn the feature on, click Options on the Tools menu, click the Security tab, and then click to select the check boxes in the Content area.