midosm.com Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 For the last 10+ years we have used Windows MediaCenter as the entertainment hub for our home extending to XBOX's in various rooms. However, with the recent changes in the MSFT ecosystem we are coming to a crossroads. We have NOT upgraded to Windows 8 MediaCenter since you cannot boot up to Mediacenter automatically like you can in Windows 7. This has been ok up until recently when you can no longer download XBOX Video purchases in Zune on Windows 7! Now, it appears we need to load Windows 8 so we can download movies, but then we have to manually startup MediaCenter on Windows 8 which isn't convenient if there is a power outage, automatic updates which reboot, etc. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoffel Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Is there no way to use Kiosk mode in Win8 and have that start WMC on start up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Norris Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Couldn't you just set the system to automatically log in, disable the lock screen and set WMC to start automatically? (Dump a shortcut into "\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp", or use a start menu replacement to drag/drop it into the Startup, or create a task in the task scheduler that fires on logon.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercellus Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Follow this guide which should solve your problem: http://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/2013/09/19/booting-into-windows-media-center-in-windows-8-1/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midosm.com Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 I take it you need to use the 'local' account and not the 'Microsoft account'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+LogicalApex MVC Posted August 29, 2014 MVC Share Posted August 29, 2014 You need to upgrade to Windows 8 to download movies to your Media Center box? What do you mean? I haven't upgraded to Windows 8 because I just don't see a reason to pay for Windows 8 then pay again for Media Center and only get the exact same Media Center I already have in 7. Seems like a lot of wasted money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiB3R Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I think XBMC and a few Raspberry Pi boxes with Raspbmc installed would be a far better, and less power hungry setup. Aergan 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midosm.com Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 Mercellus that worked, Thanks! Now I have overcome the conflict and can download the XBOX Movies local so we don't have to stream them :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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