<p>When you install Windows 8 on your system, you gain access to a number of new features. Some are clear upgrades over previous versions of Windowsthe new system-wide search, for instancewhile others are more controversial "side-grades," rather than clear improvements. There's one thing that's a clear-cut downgrade, though: DVD playback.</p><p>While earlier versions of Windows included a free, built-in DVD player, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 have no such functionality. It can still read data DVDs, but if you want to play that copy of Rocky IV you got for $2 on clearance at Target, you're out of luck.</p><p>Fortunately, you've got plenty of options for restoring DVD-playback functionality to Windows 8, for free. Here's what we recommend:Option 1: Just try it!</p><p>Before you do anything else, check to make sure that you actually can't play a DVD in your computer. If you bought a boxed Windows 8 laptop or desktop computer with a DVD drive, the manufacturer will almost certainly have pre-loaded it with DVD playback software. Pop a DVD in and see if it plays!Option 2: Download VLCVLC plays DVDs, and it plays them for free.</p><p><a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2020963/how-to-play-dvds-and-blu-ray-discs-in-windows-8.html">Keep reading...</a></p>