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Comment by acqq | Hacker News Reader

It's not about what "can" be done, you can also install the pirated software too, the thing is, by buying legally Windows 7 or Windows 8 Media Pack or Ultimate I have really paid the DVD playback functionality to Microsoft as well as the other features I've mentioned.

Also read about the legality aspects of the Microsoft's DVD solutions up to now and of the open-source DVD players:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/if-vlc-can-ship-a-free-dvd-play...

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Yes but you do not have to upgrade to Windows 10 and they made it pretty clear they removed these softwares (it warned me when they proposed the update). This is unfortunate but I don't think Microsoft has been evil here.

Where is the warning being displayed? As far as I've seen you can click through the dialogs without seeing it.

"you do not have to upgrade to Windows 10"

Everyone has to stop using that as an excuse. It doesn't even make sense & it's myopic. Obsolescence is built into Windows. If you want to continue being safe using Windows you NEED to upgrade. You can choose not to upgrade, but it's at your detriment.

It's a choice until it's not.

Sure it is a choice. You absolutely need the DVD player...don't upgrade now. Maybe by the time you need it, the functionality will be restored. Regardless, it is a choice you can make. Don't be entitled.

"Don't be entitled."

entitled -- to give (a person or thing) a title, right, or claim to something

I spent my money, I can be entitled. Besides this isn't just about libdvdcss. There are many withdrawn features and anti-features included.

> I spent my money, I can be entitled.

No, you didn't. You spend $0 on Windows 10.

You spent money on Windows 7 and you can continue to use that without restriction.

You absolutely are acting entitled for something which is free.

If it was 2020 you might have a point, since that's when they'll end-of-life Windows 7. But it is 2015, you can use Windows 7 with Media Center and your DVD codec for the next five years.

Honestly I get the strong sense we wouldn't even be having this discussion if Windows 10 was NOT free i.e. if it costs $100. Since then people would simply not feel compelled to upgrade, instead it is free for a limited period, so people feel compelled and are now complaining about being "forced" to.

The reality is you can use Windows 7 until 2020. Just go ahead and do that then.

And according to everyone else, if you paid for it as part of either of those, it's still fucking there.

I don't get it... are you complaining that you were revoked a license to a software that came bundled with windows?

http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-media-center-gets-laid...

"Microsoft confirmed to ZDNet that Windows Media Center is indeed finished, and users who upgrade to Windows 10 will no longer see it."

http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-will-include-option...

"In a statement on his Twitter account, Windows Insider leader Gabriel Aul provided this tidbit of news:

"The main scenario people used WMC for was to play DVD. We'll provide another option for DVD playback in the future."

Exactly what this option will be, and if it might be free or if it will cost Windows 10 users extra, has yet to be announced."

Why wouldn't someone complain about a reduction in functionality in software they paid for? Do you somehow feel that's out of line?

It's not only that Microsoft removes the features, they also don't tell you clearly they'll remove them but they put almost "malware-like" request on your system for which you already paid to them to "just upgrade it's safe."

> they also don't tell you clearly they'll remove them

Yes they do. The upgrade assistant warns you during the upgrade process[0] and specifically has you confirm it.

[0] https://i.imgur.com/ekSbGOL.jpg

In the EU, Microsoft sells the N edition [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/products/what-is...], Windows sans Media Player. Thus, if you have selected the normal version, you are actually paying for Media and DVD playing capabilities.

The pricing is exactly the same, nor was the rationale ever to provide an edition for people who don't need a DVD player. You can still download and install those components freely after installing the OS.

The rationale for it was an anti-competition lawsuit brought by the EU.

The pricing may be the same, you may even be able to download the components, but the difference exists and there is choice to select something without.

They may have been forced to do it, but you are paying for a product WITH media player, same price or not.

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