How to Uninstall, Disable, or Remove Windows 7 Media Center

An article by Bilal    2 Comments

Don’t like the Windows 7 Media Center ? Many reason would include you using your PC for business rather then movies. Or you just don’t want it at all. This is how you can Remove Windows 7 Media Center.

Turn Off WMC Using Programs and Features

Probably the most convenient way to disable the Windows 7 Media Player is through the Control panel. Open Control Panel and select Programs and Features.

On the left hand panel click on Turn Windows Features on or off.

Go to Media Features and expand the folder. Then Uncheck Windows Media Center…

Verification message will pop up making sure if you want to disable it, click Yes.

Then the box next to Windows Media Center will be empty. Click OK.

To complete the process you must reboot.

After getting back from the restart, the WMC icon will be gone and there won’t be any way to launch it.

Re-enable WMC

If you want to re-enable it, just go back in and re check it.

Again you’ll need to wait while it’s configured, but when it’s done, a restart is not required.

Disable Media Center Using Group Policy

Note: This process uses Group Policy Editor which is not available in Home versions of Windows 7.

Click on the Start menu and type gpedit.msc into the Search box and hit Enter.

Now navigate to User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ Windows Media Center.

Double-click on Do not allow Windows Media Center to run. Then select the radio button next to Enabled, click OK and close out of Group Policy Editor.

Now if a user tries to launch WMC they will get the following message.

Conclusion

A pretty easy step if you dont want the Windows 7 Media Center. I personally do not use it either. VLC works just fine for me.

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