How to get Windows Media Center and DVD Playback in Windows 8

As many know, Microsoft removed Windows Media Center and DVD playback capabilities from Windows 8 and made them a separate add-on. If you want Media Center, you need to have Windows 8 Pro and add the Media Center feature pack. This feature pack also adds DVD playback capabilities through Windows Media Center. The good news is if you have Windows 8 Pro already, you can add Media Center for free until January 31, 2013. All you need to do is go to this link to request a free key for Windows 8 Media Center Pack.

If you want DVD playback capabilities and do not have Windows 8 Pro you can buy an upgrade or you can use an alternative DVD playback program, such as VLC. 

How to play DVDs in Windows 8 for FREE

Microsoft has decided to remove native DVD playing in Windows 8. In order to play DVDs you now need third party program. Most of the DVD playing programs cost money, but luckily there are some free ones. One of my favorite media players is VLC media player. VLC can play DVDs and basically any video or music file you can find. This includes AVI files, MP4 files, MKV files, etc. Another option is to install Windows Media Center, a program that used to be included in Windows 7 and Windows Vista