Microsoft removes Windows Media Center from Windows 10 and charge users $14.99 for a buggy DVD playback app
Windows 10, the new operating system of Microsoft has removed some of the features and apps that were included in its previous versions. Well, one of them is Windows Media Center.
Microsoft has now instead announced the launch of a free ‘Windows DVD Player’. However, this DVD player has proved to be a buggy application. It only allows you to play DVDs on your PC and provides simple controls for disc navigation. Additionally, you cannot play DVDs from file backups nor Blu-ray Discs. Also it runs only optical discs.
While Microsoft states that Windows DVD Player will only be “free for a limited time”, it however but does not mention the duration. Even the player’s FAQ simply says “The timing has not been finalized yet. It will end at or before the free Windows 10 upgrade offer”. So, even if you grab Windows DVD Player for free now, you may have to pay for it later.
Further, the player’s FAQ page states that only upgraders from Windows 7/Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 will get it free, whereas the users who perform clean installation of Windows 10 will not. Additionally, if users ever need to reinstall Windows 10, for instance, due to problems, then Microsoft would not consider that as upgradation from Windows 7 or Windows 8. That means you would lose free access to Windows DVD Player, unless you first install Windows 7/8/8.1 and then upgrade to Windows 10.
So, if you wish to have the Windows DVD player on your machine, all you need to do is pay $14.99 (£9, AU$20 Rs.1000) at the Windows Store App and get the player. However, for those who do not wish to spend money on the DVD player, you can just download the free VLC Player desktop version and continue to watch your DVDs.
