Microsoft's Windows Media Center will not be part of Windows 10

Edward C. Baig | USA TODAY

NEW YORK—Back in 2002 and arguably ahead of its time, Microsoft introduced Windows XP Media Center Edition.

This presumed home entertainment hub, which included a digital video recorder and media player that were controlled from a PC, survived through several versions and iterations of Windows up through Windows 8.1, at least through add-on software.

Windows Media Center under CEO Satya Nadella will be no more. In a statement, Microsoft said that, "We can confirm that due to decreased usage, Windows Media Center will not be part of Windows 10."

I'm not surprised. I honestly don't remember the last time that I used Windows Media Center myself.

Gabriel Aul of Microsoft did throw an apparent bone to people who still use Windows Media Center to play back DVDs. As Aul tweeted, "If you have WMC now, we'll have a DVD option for you in an update later this year. "

Meantime, just because Microsoft is pulling the plug on Windows Media Center, doesn't mean it's given up designs on your living room. Microsoft plans versions of Windows 10 for Xbox One.

Email: ebaig@usatoday.com; Follow @edbaig on Twitter