14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 no longer comes with a Media Center edition or add-on, and in order to replace some of the features that were previously available in such versions of the operating system, Microsoft is offering a DVD player app through the store.
Today, this app has finally become available and can be downloaded free of charge by those who upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7 Ultimate, Professional, Home Premium or Windows 8.1 with Media Center. Everyone else will have to pay $14.99 to get the app from the store.
In short, the Windows DVD Player app has just one feature: it plays DVDs on your PC, so there’s one big question: why should anyone spend 15 bucks on such a basic computer program when there are plenty of alternatives out there that can do the same thing and, even more, completely free of charge?
The first name that comes to everyone’s mind is VLC, so we really doubt that the Windows DVD Player app will see many buyers.
You won’t get the app for free in case of a clean install
If you upgrade from a Media Center version of Windows, keep in mind that you need to do it with the built-in upgrade, as clean installs are not yet supported, so you won’t get the app free of charge from the store.
Microsoft explains:
“You must upgrade your PC to Windows 10 to get the free app. If you perform a clean install by formatting your disc rather than upgrade, you will not get the free app. You will still get the free app if you perform an upgrade and choose to delete files, apps and settings during Windows 10 setup.”
Microsoft says it’s offering this app only for a limited time, but the timing has not been finalized yet, but it will definitely end at or before the free Windows 10 upgrade offer on July 29, 2016.