How to add Windows Media Center back into Windows 10

If it's hard to let go, follow these instructions to install Windows Media Center in Windows 10.

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@Pureinfotech
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Installing Windows Media Center in Windows 10

Microsoft discontinued Windows Media Center in Windows 10, but it’s not stopping enthusiasts to manage and bring back the entertainment hub to the latest operating system. Originally, the software maker introduced Windows Media Center in Windows XP, and an updated version was released with Windows Vista. Windows 7 included the software, but without any changes, and on Windows 8, Microsoft continued offering Windows Media Center as an additional add-on, but again it was the same version originally released with Vista.

Windows 10 no longer includes Windows Media Center as the company is focusing on Xbox One as the central entertainment hub of the house. Although, the media hub wasn’t extremely popular, it still have a number of fans, and if you’re one of them, users at the MDL forums crafted a package to install Windows Media Center in the latest release of Windows 10, including the public and Insider preview.

This project has been in the works for a few weeks now, and Windows Blog Italia published a guide that allows you to install the entertainment software in your computer.

If you want to try it in your computer simply follow the steps below:

Warning: Before you modify anything, make sure you understand that this is something not supported by Microsoft and the installation files come from an unofficial source. As such, you will be proceeding at your own risk. It’s assumed, you know what you’re doing and you have created a full backup of your system before moving forward.

Bring back Windows Media Center to Windows 10

  1. Download and extract the zip file for Windows 10 (32-bit) or Windows 10 (64-bit) — Click the “Download through the browser” link.

  2. Extract the content from the zip file, right-click on _TestRights.cmd and click Run as administrator.

    Windows Media Center on Windows 10 Installation

  3. Reboot your computer.

  4. Go back to the folder and right-click on Installer.cmd, run the installer as administrator, and after the install press any key to exit the installer.

    Windows Media Center installer

Now, you have completed the installation of Windows Media Center in Windows 10. If you can’t find the app, go to Start > All apps > Windows Accessories > Windows Media Center. From here, you can also right-click the app and pin it to the Start menu.

If you wan’t to remove it, simply go back to the folder with the installation files, right-click Uninstaller.cmd, run it as an administrator, and reboot your computer.

During the installation process that I have tried everything seems to be working well, but my computer configuration doesn’t allow me to see if I can play DVDs or setup the TV functionality. These are important features, but remember that Microsoft removed the codecs to play DVDs in Windows 10 to reduce licensing costs and the TV setup hasn’t change in years, so the experience might be different.

Source MDL Forums, Windows Blog Italia via Windows Central

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].