Windows 8: How to Play DVDs

After upgrading to Windows 8 you would be surprised to find that you can no longer play video DVDs. Unlike other versions of Windows, Windows 8 has no built-in support for playing DVDs. However you can still use data DVDs with Windows 8 and this only applies to video DVDs.

The easiest way to play DVDs in Windows 8 is by installing an external DVD player. You can use the VLC media player as it is free. Post installation you would be able to play DVDs in VLC.

In order to play a DVD in VLC, click Media menu and select Open Disc.

If you have purchased a new Windows 8 computer which comes with a DVD drive, your computer’s manufacturer has included DVD-playing software with the PC. It would probably be configured in order to open routinely when you insert a video DVD. Else you can try typing DVD at the Start screen in order to search the installed applications. Check see if you have any applications with DVD in their name.

If you have to examine all types of software on your computer, use All Apps screen. Press Windows key to access the Start screen then right-click anywhere on the Start screen and select All Apps. Then scroll through the list of installed applications and search for a DVD-playing program.

Microsoft does not include Windows Media Center with Windows 8. Windows Media Center comes with DVD playback is accessible separately. If you have Windows 8 Pro, you can purchase Windows 8 Media Center Pack in order to activate Windows Media Center and DVD playback on the system.

If you have basic, non-Pro edition of Windows 8 on your PC, you would have to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro by buying the Windows 8 Pro Pack before you get Windows 8 Media Center. Use Add features to Windows 8 control panel in order to upgrade. Press Windows key to open it. Click settings category and type add features, tap or click Settings category as well as tap or click Add features to Windows 8.

Microsoft has removed this particular feature from Windows 8.  It has been focusing majorly on streaming media and amount of new computers which are coming without DVDs.