Cannot play wma files with windows media player or convert these wma files to mp3s to play with my Ipod

What part of "don't discuss drm removal" did you not understand? It is illegal. Video and audio (and ebooks). All current subscription services with the possible exception... For now....of Rhapsody use newer DRM with buried license authentication which requires online validation. This is why old non-internet mp3 players that can't use the new software do not work with subscription content.  

I never discussed the "TECHNICAL PROCESS" of removing DRM protections from the wma music files I legally purchased/acquired from Microsoft Groove.  Instead, I simply asked why it's so difficult to remove DRM protections from audio files, while it's extremely easy to decrypt movies on DVDs.   Anyone can purchase legally available software capable of decrypting DVDs.

And for the record, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is currently considering a lawsuit in which one of the parties has asserted that it's legal to decrypt DVDs under certain circumstances.  So, your statement that removing DRM protections is unequivocally illegal is probably incorrect. 

BUT, DON'T accuse me of discussing the removal of DRM protections in such a manner as to provide others with the technical knowledge necessary to overcome DRM protections.   If I knew how to remove the DRM protections with respect to music I legally purchased from Microsoft Groove, I never would have posted my original question via this forum.

This is by design.  Your licensed for those music files for playback using the Groove Music app only.  This is no different than any other music subscription service that allows for downloading the files. 

If you have an iPod Touch, you can download the Groove Music app onto it.

Any discussion of circumventing the DRM of the files is against the TOU of these forums, I would recommend not discussing it further.

Thanks for your response.  Unfortunately, I have an IPod Mp3 player, not an IPod Touch.   Let me make sure that I understand your answer.   It's my understanding that the reason I cannot play the wma files on Windows Media Player is not because the files are DRMs; rather it's because I don't have "playback licenses" for each of these audio files.  So my question, more specifically, is not how I can circumvent the DRM protections, but rather how I can obtain  "playback licenses for each of these audio files.

Moreover, I would have assumed that I'd be able to play these wma files using Windows Media Player, since Windows Media Player does play wma files, and that the mere act of playing these files (which I acquired from Groove, should still be playable using Windows Media Player.

In addition, I know that with respect to certain other music subscription services, I am not limited to playing audio files (which I've acquired legally via said services), only via a particular music playing app.

Finally, let me raise two additional matters.  First, I've paid MS Groove in order to download these files.  As such, I clearly have the right to play any such files using my Ipod Mp3 player.  And second, I believe that you are confusing the following issues:  (a) the act of circumventing the DRMs and (b) the act of obtaining "playback licenses" for these wma files. 

If you could address my questions in more detail, I'd greatly appreciate it.  And by the way, if the only issue of importance is that the files are DRM protected, then I'd easily be able to remove the DRM protections and be able to convert these files from wmas to Mp3s.  I would we able to accomplish such simply by downloading one of the numerous free and/or paid DMR removal software programs.  So, if you could perhaps address more specifically the issues I raised in my original post and in this follow-up response, I'd very much appreciate such.

This is by design.  Your licensed for those music files for playback using the Groove Music app only.  This is no different than any other music subscription service that allows for downloading the files. 

If you have an iPod Touch, you can download the Groove Music app onto it.

Any discussion of circumventing the DRM of the files is against the TOU of these forums, I would recommend not discussing it further.

You can't acquire playback licenses because of the DRM.  Windows Media Player does not know how to decode the DRM that is included with the .wma files that you've downloaded with your Music Pass.  The Groove Music app is the only app that can use these files because of the DRM. 

Groove Music Pass (and other music subscription services) is essentially a rental of the music.  If your subscription lapses, you can't play the music you downloaded at all unless you actually bought the .mp3 file.

I have only one more question.  When it comes to DVDs (movies), you can easily decrypt the movies using commercially available software.  I would have thought that the same would be the case with respect to DRM audio files.  Yet, this is not the case.  So, if you don't mind informing me, then my question is why is it so easy to find software which can easily decrypt video files -- i.e. movies on DVDS; yet, and at the same time, I cannot find any software capable of removing the DRMs from audio files?  Just curious.  

And one last question.  in your response, you stated that once my subscription ends, I won't be able to play any of the acquired music even with MS Groove -- i.e. unless I purchased the mp3 files.  I wasn't aware of the fact that I could purchase mp3 versions of my wma files.  Could you let me know how I can purchase the mp3s.  Thanks? 

You can't acquire playback licenses because of the DRM.  Windows Media Player does not know how to decode the DRM that is included with the .wma files that you've downloaded with your Music Pass.  The Groove Music app is the only app that can use these files because of the DRM. 

Groove Music Pass (and other music subscription services) is essentially a rental of the music.  If your subscription lapses, you can't play the music you downloaded at all unless you actually bought the .mp3 file.

Again, do not discuss circumventing DRM.