Windows Media Center came to and end with Windows 8.1 and is not being offered with Windows 10. Windows 7 & 8.1 computers that qualify for the free Windows 10 upgrade are supposed to receive a free app install of Windows DVD Player, an app that otherwise costs $14.99. Many people have complained via Windows Feedback that they have not received the app yet, which is supposed to come as Windows Update KB3081704. Those performing a clean install will not receive the app nor is Windows 10 Enterprise eligible for the free app offer. All of the details are included in an Insider forum article.
Besides the difficulties and limitations of getting the app, it is also very simplistic without many features. It can play commercial and home-made DVDs directly from a disc and does not support playing from file backups. It is also currently sitting at a 2.3 out of 5 in review on the Windows Store.
That being said, the better solution may be to ignore the promised Windows DVD Player app and move to a better product that is free, open source, and been around for a while. I would recommend Windows 10 users check out VLC if you are seeking a media playing solution. The VLC Media Player is tried and true, multi-platform, and includes its own codecs, which makes it compatible with a variety of media, including DVDs.
Simply download and install the free software from videolan.org. Once you launch the application, insert your DVD into the drive and go to the Media menu and choose ‘Open Disc…’. If you wish to play a backup file, choose Media, Open File… and browse to your file.
You may also elect to set VLC as your default video player for Windows 10. Go to Settings on the Start Menu, System, and Default apps. You can then set your default Video Player to VLC or a different player you have installed.
Playing Blu-Ray discs is not fully supported by VLC and there isn’t a clear winner when it comes to free options. Obviously, this would require having a Blu-Ray drive in your PC as well.