HTPC using MCE, Windows 7 Pro to 8.1 Pro + MCE Addon

[Percy1983]

In short I am looking at upgrading my PCs to windows 10 in the not to distant future.

In short My HTPC is currently running 7 Pro and I have a business PC running 8.1 pro with MCE Addon.

So my thinking is instead of upgrading the 8.1 to 10 swap them about so the business one then as 7 upgraded to 10 and the HTPC is left with 8.1 with MCE (longer support, better OS etc).

So my questions are around upgrading the 7 to 8.1 while maintaining media centre (much work, with customisations etc).

Ie, if I did and upgrade install I guess I can only go to 8.1 which will then kill MC but would then adding the MC pack restore it?

Past that could I back up certain MC directory and restore them is 8.1?

In short as the HTPC is the sever for the house (TV, music etc) It can't be down for long and I am trying to plan ahead before I start.

Can anybody with any experience/knowledge help?

Thanks

[GuidoLS]

Short answer - leave well enough alone. True, there will be no more updates (other than security) on Win7. By the same token, MS has killed off Media Center, period, so you gain nothing by using it on 8.1, other than the headache of moving everything around.

[Percy1983]

Interesting, I will say I do prefer 8.1 and figured a few of the metro apps could be useful.

I suppose its a case of no real improvement in media centre.

Looked at replacing with kodi but it just doesn't seem upto it as well as losing extenders.

I won't rush into this one.

[GuidoLS]

(IMO) Kodi kind of lost its way when it swapped over from being XBMC. It's become somewhat bloated and poorly optimized without really adding anything new. The only semi-satisfactory solution I've found as a replacement, and it still falls short of what Media Center offers, was Mythbuntu, which as a Linux variant, sort of kills the Windows part of the experience.

I've never used 8.1 on a personal machine, and the few times I used it on a couple of other machines, I didn't enjoy the experience. To each their own in that department. Whenever possible, I go the easy route. Leaving things that work alone, to me, is the easiest of options. Best of luck on your project.

[Percy1983]

I was really hoping kodi was up to it as I could then get everything on windows 10.

With that my tuners are networked so looking into whats best on windows 10 for occasional use.

I am still running an xbox as an extender which I did plan to replace if I can get something decent going without MCE.

Its a shame microsoft have dropped MC as it is great and simple.