Microsoft has added another entry to its growing list of problematic updates in the Windows Hall of Shame, this time causing Digital TV and Blu-ray applications to stutter and freeze when playing protected content.

The issue affects application that use the Enhanced Video Renderer, a legacy Windows feature that Microsoft has superseded by the Simple Video Renderer.

The glitches – interruptions, freezing, or a black screen – occur when HDCP is enabled or when Digital Rights Management (DRM) is applied to digital audio. Streaming services are not affected.

According to Microsoft, the problem first appeared in the August 29 Windows non-security preview update (“or later updates”). Microsoft currently has no workaround or fix for affected users beyond pausing updates entirely.

Microsoft is encouraging developers to migrate legacy EVR APIs to the newer renderer APIs. However, breaking existing applications seems like an unncecessarily harsh method to push for this transition.

The technical issue remains contained for now, although had streaming video been affected, the impact could have been catastrophic – just think of the cries of anguish from Netflix and YouTube users.

The bug comes as physical media is experiencing somewhat of a resurgence. Rather than paying a monthly subscription only for some media to drop out of a streamer’s catalog when a license expires, consumers are returning to DVDs.

Microsoft giveth and Microsoft taketh away

The playback glitch comes as Microsoft confirms it has fixed another longstanding issue with Windows 11 24H2 that affected integrated cameras and facial recognition features. This bug, which could render Windows Hello “unresponsive,” was serious enough for Microsoft to implement a compatibility hold preventing the update’s distribution.

Microsoft acknolwedged the issue on October 18, 2024, lifted the compatibility hold on on September 11, 2025, and finally flagged the bug as resolved on eight days later. Just in time for the arrival of Windows 11 25H2. ®