Get Started with Windows Media Center

Start exploring

If you have Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate already running on your PC, you're ready to start using Windows Media Center.

	Try it Now You may already have Windows Media Center: Click Start. Click All Programs. Find Windows Media Center. Click the green button and explore!	Set it Up Upgrade to Windows Vista See the four hardware setups Find out what you may need to use Windows Media Center
	Customize It The first time you start Windows Media Center, you'll be given three options: Express setup, Custom setup, or Run setup later. Find out which option is right for you.	Get Help Find help and how-to information Watch these short videos to see the features in action

Import your media files automatically

Because Windows Media Center automatically checks your PC for media files during the setup process, you don't have to waste a minute searching for your content. Its on-screen layout of photos, music, and videos makes it perfect for widescreen and high definition displays.

Set up your media library

Store all of your media in one place with Windows Media Center. Specify which folders on your computer or on your local network contain your digital media files, and then find those files in the picture, video, and music libraries in Windows Media Center. And if you add or delete digital media files, the libraries are automatically updated.

Connect to the Internet

Once you connect to the Internet with your broadband Internet connection, you'll be able to take advantage of services like Online Media, SportsLounge (U.S. and Canada only), and the new Internet TV Beta (U.S. only). If you have a TV tuner, you'll use your Internet connection to download the Electronic Programming Guide (the Guide), an additional service available in select countries.