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Applies to these editions of Windows 7

Home Premium

Professional

Ultimate

Enterprise

Windows Media Center

Get amazing entertainment on your PC with Windows Media Center—watch this video to see how. (0:58)

Watch, pause, and record HDTV. Watch DVDs. Listen to your tunes, show off your photos, and enjoy online shows. All in one place.

That place is Windows Media Center—a whole PC entertainment system within Windows 7. Is it any wonder critics call it the hidden gem of Windows?

Windows Media Center is available in the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7.

Watch and record high-def TV and movies

With Windows Media Center plus broadcast or cable TV and a TV tuner, you can watch, pause, and record live TV—even HDTV—without the monthly service fees that typically come with digital video recorders. You can record a live TV show, schedule a recording in advance, or even set Media Center to automatically record new episodes of your favorite series right to your PC.

Watch what you want, where you want

Windows Media Center gives your PC access to tons of great entertainment. With HomeGroup, you can share that media goodness with any other PC running Windows 7 in your house. So if you've recorded a TV show on the PC in your living room, you can watch it on your laptop in the kitchen. And if you have an Xbox 360, you can also send the recorded TV, video, and photos on your PC to your television.

Windows Media Center now supports more global TV standards and tuners, including digital and HD, further widening your choices. It also plays more popular audio and video formats, including 3GP, AAC, AVCHD, MPEG-4, WMV, and WMA, and supports most AVI, DivX, MOV, and Xvid files.

Stunning slide shows

Make elegant photo collages (with background music) using the new slide show maker—perfect for parties or family get-togethers. And check out the awesome visuals on the updated slide show screen saver.

Learn how