The direct answer: Netflix uses DRM (Digital Rights Management) that is extremely difficult to circumvent, and attempting to do so almost certainly violates Netflix’s terms of service and potentially applicable copyright law. This is worth being clear about upfront.
How Netflix protects its content
Netflix streams use Widevine DRM (Google’s system) or PlayReady (Microsoft’s system) depending on the platform and content. These encrypt the video stream and manage decryption keys in a way designed to prevent recording.
At the highest content security levels (used for 4K and premium content), the decryption happens in hardware-level trusted execution environments that software capture tools cannot access. Lower-quality streams have been subject to various circumvention approaches historically, but Netflix actively monitors and patches these.
What Netflix does offer: offline downloads
Netflix’s own app (on Windows, iOS, and Android) allows downloading titles for offline viewing. This is the official, terms-compliant way to watch Netflix content without an active internet connection.
On Windows: the Netflix app from the Microsoft Store supports downloads. Titles with a download icon can be saved for offline viewing. Downloaded content is DRM-protected and only playable in the Netflix app – it can’t be accessed as a regular video file.
The download feature is designed for offline viewing while traveling or in areas with poor connectivity. It’s not a path to permanent file ownership.
The broader question: permanent ownership
Netflix is a subscription service – you’re paying for access, not ownership. If you want to own a movie permanently as a file, purchasing from services like Vudu, Apple TV, or Amazon that sell DRM-free or standard digital purchases is the legitimate path.
Physical media (Blu-ray) purchased legally can be backed up for personal use in jurisdictions where format-shifting is permitted, using tools like MakeMKV.