If you are running the regular version of Windows 8 instead, you need to purchase the Pro upgrade for $99.99 first before you can add Media Center as well. You can purchase Media Center for $9.99 provided that you are running Windows 8.1 Pro already. It works best if you already have a key though. It is actually not that difficult to install Media Center.
If you do not see it, it needs to be added first. If you see Windows Media Center listed in the results, it is installed on your system. The easiest way to find out if you have it installed is to enter Media Center on the start screen of the operating system. It is interesting to note that you did not have to own a Windows 8 license to snag a key, and that each customer could get up to five Media Center keys for free in that period.ĭepending on whether you have upgraded Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, from a previous Microsoft operating system, or did a clean install, you may not have access to Media Center right away. So, if you want DVD playback on Windows 8.x, you need Windows Media Center or a third party alternative.Īs part of the Windows 8 promotion, Microsoft has given away Windows Media Center keys for free to interested users. You may remember that it did play them on Windows 7. The program has been crippled by Microsoft as it does not play DVD movies anymore. Windows 8.1, just like Windows 8, ships with Windows Media Player by default.