Microsoft reportedly, has decided to kill the support for its digital video recorder and media player – Windows Media Center. Debuted in 2002 as part of a special edition of Windows XP, offering support for PC-based TV tuners and an interface for controlling media playback, including DVDs and music, with a remote control, Windows Media Centre was viewed as the best PVR software available.
Microsoft ends support for Windows Media Center Support
Successive versions available in the-the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7, added support for high-definition TV, CableCard-based tuners, and an SDK that enabled apps from third-party sources like Netflix, as well as support for playback of Blu-ray discs. Speculations about the offering becoming a redundant software became ripe with the introduction of Windows 8.
A Microsoft executive confirmed that there will be no update to the company’s Media Center software for Windows 10. If you try installing the most recent build of Windows 10 on a PC running Media Center, you get a warnings before setup continues.
Microsoft failed to roll out any updates with Windows 8 for Media Center, and with Windows 10, it will no longer be supported.
Windows Media Center was very popular among many a Windows users, and with this development, the software will surely be missed by many.
Microsoft has now also confirmed via a tweet:
We can confirm that due to decreased usage, Windows Media Center will not be part of Windows 10.
Adds Microsoft:
Windows Media Center is not part of Windows 10 and won’t be available after upgrading to Windows 10. If you use Windows Media Center, we will alert you during upgrade that Windows Media Center is not available on Windows 10. We know that some users use Windows Media Center to play DVDs, and we are providing a free DVD playback app in Windows 10 for Windows Media Center users.
What’s your take on the story?
Windows Media Centre was viewed as the best PVR software available!!!
Windows Media Center is used by millions of Windows adopters & this decision would be catastrophic for these potential Windows 10 users who will, like me, be looking elsewhere for continuing support. Is there anyone out there who used the 8.1 upgrade with Windows Media support?
I am one of the millions who now enjoy Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center. This is unsettling news
at best. Is there anything out there that can take its place?
This just plain SUCKS! For one thing, anyone wanting it for Windows 8 had to spend $10 and a separate key # to get it. All the stuff people had to do to get WMC and now it’s for nothing. Yes – I upgraded to Windows 8.1 with WMC support. Thanks Microsoft – I wonder what “young pup” came up with this hair-brained idea. This just might put a chink in the Windows 10 upgrade for many.
The best (IMO) video program out there is VLC. Problem is, you have to be very careful when getting it. A lot of crapware is attached to the download. Many times “Free” is not free.
This sucks. I won’t upgrade. I paid $100 for windows media center and several hundred dollars for dual home run tuners. I also save tons each month using all this to avoid cable costs. This will force me to cable. I use media center as my DVR as well. I hope HD Home Run software has something to say about this as well.