Sunday, October 28, 2012

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

Sunday, October 07, 2012

How To: Modify the Windows 8 Win+X Power User Menu

Windows 8 includes a new power user menu accessible by pressing Win+X, which I've discussed before. By pressing Win+X or right clicking in the bottom left corner of the screen, you get the menu with shortcuts shown on the left. This screenshot shows a modified Win+X menu with "Network Connections" and "Devices and Printers" added. In this post I will show how to modify the menu and add or remove commands.