Zune Marketplace disappeared today

Well, just to be clear, authorized Zunes can still sync with Zune Marketplace downloaded songs, for those with a Groove/Microsoft Music subscription, but it requires modifying the registry for the old Zune software that unfortunately gets reset every time I start the software. Here's where you can find the Zune software:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=27163

See previous post for the registry edit to bring back the Marketplace, if you don't mind modifying your registry. I leave Zune software running all the time on the Windows 10 computer (another authorized device) that I use for syncing. It's not perfect (no Marketplace streaming on the computer means I have to use Groove to preview tracks to download), but it works in my case.

I have a Zune 30, Zune 120, Zune HD 16, and Zune HD 64 that have all by turns worked. The Zune 30 is retired now, but I use the other three still, rotating out a unit after 30 days, if required. The portability and selectability make it my favorite platform (20,557 songs on the 120). My biggest complaint is the sound quality (192 Kbps, I think), which is starting to get old.

I also have a Zune HD. It is now relegated to mp3 files I own. Not even podcasts sync (well, not easily). It still works and still sounds great, so I'll still use it sometimes.

As I understand the basic problem, the DRM Zune used was the same as PlaysForSure. When Xbox Music came out, they got a new DRM which Zune could not use and Zune Software could not sync. It appears the player itself has to retrieve whatever DRM stuff it needs from the server independently of the download (in Zune DRM the rights came over with the files---no longer the case). Until very recently MS maintained two libraries of new and old DRM music. Since the marketplace was eliminated (at least access to it---it may still be out there somewhere) we can no longer download stuff the Zune can play.

I believe they may need new Zune firmware and new Zune sync software for the Zune device to be usable anymore (if even possible) and neither of those two things are likely due to the really low numbers out here.

FWIW, iTunes seems to have a similar issue with their DRM. An iPod does not work with Apple Music (the subscription service). You need a Touch or something with internet connectivity (yeah, Zune has it but somehow that does not appear enough).

The easiest solution is to use a spare phone as an mp3 player. That's what I'm doing. One advantage of this is Bluetooth which Zune did not have. You can get an eBay phone (even Android, but I've found Groove on that is not as good as a Windows Phone). I tried to sync my phone with the PC back with Xbox Music and was one of those frustrated that nothing I copied over would play. You had to leave the phone connected to the internet for several minutes while it downloaded the music rights. It works the same today. You can copy over non-DRM stuff, though, which works fine.

The whole concept of music storage has changed to a "cloud" thing. Your radio stations, playlists, collection all sync via the cloud to all your PCs, phones, etc.. Although I don't seem to have found a way for Groove playlists to sync across devices, which would be a nice feature since working on that kind of stuff on a computer is a lot easier than on a phone.

Microsoft should at a minimum allow for the zune devices to by sync'd with Groove music.  I would also like the ability to plug a phone into the computer and sync music with Groove.

I'm still holding on hope that someone can find a somewhat permanent fix for the Zune marketplace.  I still use my Zune HD for my drive to and from work, working out and traveling.  I prefer having a dedicated offline device for these purposes.

I saw the same thing.  Definitely on their side.

And as to your response, I deleted because It was a problem with my USB port.  Apparently my motherboard is having problems.

Well it appears Zune software is now, perhaps forever, broken. Today when I tried to login to Zune 4.8. When I try to sign in, I get the message "A secure channel couldn't be established. The server certificate name doesn't match the server address." Without being able to sign in, I can't download subscription music in the marketplace, even with the registry change I already described. I can however sync and even add subscription music to at least one of my Zune players (one authorized as a guest!). Not sure how long that will last, but without the ability to download new music, it's not too useful. We'll see if this ability last; I expect it might last until February 2017 when my subscription expires.

Not much information on this error on the web. If anyone stumbles across anything that could help, please post here, the haunts of the last living Zune user.

UPDATE: Apparently it was a temporary network problem on their side with whatever "server certificate/address" means, or some router or network problem on my side. I could Sign In today and resume downloading DRM files, while the service lasts.