How To Add Windows Media Center To Windows 8.1

Why Microsoft decided to exit Windows Media Center out of Windows viii baffles me. In fact, I recall it'south a big "Neglect" by the company. It is available equally a separate download though. Here's how to install it on Windows 8 Release Preview.

Editor's Annotation: This commodity has been updated to the final version of Windows 8. You tin can read it at: How To Install Windows Media Center Pack to Windows 8 Pro

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Why Microsoft decided to leave Windows Media Centre out of Windows 8 baffles me. In fact, I think it's a big "Fail" by the company. It is bachelor every bit a carve up download though. Here's how to install it on Windows 8 Release Preview.

Note: This volition merely piece of work with the Windows 8 Release Preview — Not the RTM. According to Microsoft's blog, the option to add Media Center to Windows 8 won't be available until the official release date on October 26th.

First, y'all need the Windows Media Center (WMC) key. It'due south hidden deep in the Windows eight Release Preview FAQ. Scroll down the page and expand Where Is Windows Media Centre. In step iv, they prove you what the license key for WMC is. Copy that code to the Clipboard.

Or, just re-create it from right hither:

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Now from the Metro Start screen in Windows viii utilize the keyboard shortcut Win Key + W to bring up Settings Search. Blazon: add features and then click Add Features to Windows 8 from the results on the right.

Alternately, you lot can access the Add Features settings from the desktop. Correct click Computer and select Properties. The screen that shows basic info about your organization appears. Click the Become More Features with a New Edition of Windows link.

Side by side, Click Settings on the Charm bar then Change PC Settings.

At present select I already Accept a Product Fundamental.

Enter in the Product Primal shown higher up. Windows verifies the central is correct, click next.

Side by side yous'll demand to concord to the Microsoft License terms. Check I accept the License Terms then Click Accept.

The installation of Windows Media Middle begins. Microsoft is kind plenty to let you lot know the install will accept some fourth dimension and will restart yous pc at to the lowest degree once.

On my Dual-Core Dell with 4 GB of RAM, the install process took around x minutes. After one reboot, I received a message WMC is fix to become.

If you're a cord cutter and Windows Media Center fan, y'all'd think there would be cool new features to WMC, but this non the case. Information technology would have been absurd if Microsoft would have made cool changes to Media Center, but they dropped the ball.