Member Avatar for tez

Hi Friends, Trying to download music tracks from Amazon to I-Tunes; have bought tracks and installed their download icon but when I try to open it I get the message "Windows cannot open this program because it has been prevented by a software restriction policy. For more information see event viewer or contact system administrator." (Guess that's me as have had the PC from new! (yes okay I'm on XP !). Thanks for looking.

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Quick diagnosis and what that message means: Windows is refusing to run the Amazon downloader because a Software Restriction Policy (SRP) evaluated the file and disallowed it (rules can be by path, hash, zone or certificate). The Event Viewer will usually record the SRP entry (it will show which rule or path blocked the executable), so start there to see what was matched. Booting into Safe Mode is a quick way to test because SRP evaluations do not apply there. (learn.microsoft.com)

Practical steps to try (XP Professional — some UI items aren’t present on XP Home):

  1. Open Event Viewer (Start → Run → eventvwr.msc) and look under System for entries from “Software Restriction Policy” (note the Event ID and the blocked path or rule GUID).
  2. Open Local Security Policy (Start → Run → secpol.msc) → Security Settings → Software Restriction Policies. If none exist, right‑click and create “New Software Restriction Policies.” Make sure the Default Security Level is “Unrestricted” (not “Disallowed”). Under Additional Rules, add a Path Rule for the Amazon download file/folder and set it to Unrestricted, or remove the rule that blocked it. If the installer is an MSI, check the Internet Zone rules as well. If secpol.msc isn’t available (XP Home), try Safe Mode, System Restore to a point before the change, or use another PC to download. (learn.microsoft.com)

If changing SRP isn’t feasible or you prefer the simplest route: download the purchased MP3 files directly from your Amazon account (Your Music / Purchased or Digital Orders) and import them into iTunes by dragging the .mp3 files into the iTunes window or using File → Add Folder to Library. Note that older Windows/iTunes support is limited (Apple’s last XP-era iTunes was an older 12.1.x build), so running modern installers on XP can fail for compatibility reasons. Also, Amazon’s paid MP3 store has historically sold MP3s without DRM, so purchased files are usually safe to import. For stability and security, consider moving this workflow to a newer PC or newer Windows when possible. (amazon.com)

Quick checklist:

  • Check Event Viewer for SRP entries and the blocked path.
  • Edit Software Restriction Policies (secpol.msc) to allow the Amazon downloader or change Default to Unrestricted.
  • If you can’t or won’t change policies, download the MP3s from Amazon and add them to iTunes on another machine.

Notes tied to earlier replies: ’s DRM warning is a good general caution; however Amazon’s paid MP3 downloads have been sold DRM‑free for many years. was right to flag compatibility — newer Amazon/iTunes components expect modern Windows, so XP is inherently more fragile for this workflow.

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Member Avatar for rubberman

The software restriction policy is probably from Amazon. You should check with them. As a side note, NEVER buy music, videos, or software that encorporate DRM (Digital Restrictions Management). When you do that, you aren't purchasing it. You are simply renting it. They can remove your access to your content at their will and you will be SOL.

Member Avatar for rproffitt

Here I have Amazon Music both the app and music. But it's on Windows 7 and Windows 10 so XP? It was nice while it lasted. The error to me points to permission issues, app doesn't work on Windows XP or other.

Since most of Amazon Music is MP3 (at least here) and no DRM you can get your MP3 and manually add it to iTunes.

IN FACT XP and iTunes means you can't use the latest iTunes and I know Amazon's Music app expects the latest iTunes.

Edited by rproffitt because: Spelling.
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