I had to go to another thread to learn how, but I installed Windows Media Center Player for free. Now let me explain...
Windows Media PLAYER plays DVDs for you. Windows Media CENTER connects you to a TV and makes it easier to buy and rent movies. You really don't need it. It has a big choice of films, shows, and radio stations, but you have to pay to get them. I installed it with no problem, and I see no use for it.
Because Microsoft has to pay about $800 million per year in royalties for a program that is installed on about 1/6 of all Windows computers, it will not be free after the 8 Preview Edition. Starting with the full version of Windows 8, you will have to pay for it if you want it.