Windows Media Center will not form part of the upcoming release of Windows 10. Microsoft has no intentions of bringing the software over into its latest operating system, meaning that users who have it running on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 will no longer be able to access it if they decide to accept the company’s offer of a free upgrade to Windows 10.
An executive advised to ZDNet about the move in a private meeting during this week’s Build developer conference. Users installing the Windows 10 upgrade will be informed that they will have to uninstall the app for “compatibility” reasons, and will not be able to get it back once it has been installed, forcing die-hard users of the software to avoid the upgrade.
Microsoft officially broke up the Media Center team in 2009 after finishing its development in Windows 7. It was updated in order to work with Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, but only to make it compatible, not adding any new features to the software at all.
The loss of Media Center in Windows 10 is not likely to cause too many problems for “cord cutters” or those with media PCs connected to their TV. Many providers and Internet TV services offer on-demand catch-up services as well as DVR functionality, and the streaming device market has become more sophisticated since Media Center’s initial creation, giving more control to users over when and how they watch their content.
