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How to Play Blu-ray on PC (Windows 11, 10, 8 & 7)

Last Updated on Mar. 30, 2023 – by David Morgan

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How to Play Blu-ray Discs on Your Windows

Using discs to watch stuff isn't as popular as it used to be, so Windows has phased out its disc capabilities. This means you can't just pop in a Blu-ray disc and expect it to play in Windows Media Center, which has been discontinued.

But don't worry, you can still get your movie fix without dusting off your old DVD player. With a few simple steps, you can either convert your Blu-ray disc into a digital format or play it directly on your PC with software like PowerDVD.

Speaking of PowerDVD, it's a digital Blu-ray and multi-media player that you can use on your PC. It lets you enjoy all your DVDs and Blu-rays in top-notch quality and takes your viewing experience to a whole new level right from your computer. So, keep reading to learn more about PowerDVD, how to play Blu-ray on PC, and everything you need to know about watching Blu-ray movies on Windows.

How to Watch Blu-ray on Different Versions of Windows

How to Watch Blu-ray on Different Versions of Windows

If you're looking to watch Blu-ray discs on your Windows PC, there are a few things to keep in mind. Different versions of Windows have different ways of playing these discs, so let's break it down.

How To Play Blu-ray on Windows 11

First up, let's talk about Windows 11. If you're rocking this new operating system, you'll need to download Blu-ray playback software to enjoy your movies.

It can be tricky to find a reliable, high-quality option for such a new OS, but fortunately, PowerDVD is a great choice that works perfectly on Windows 11. Even if you only plan on watching Blu-rays every now and then, PowerDVD is a handy addition to your new OS. With it, you can open and enjoy pretty much any video, photo, or music file you come across.

How To Play Blu-ray on Windows 10

If you're using Windows 10, you can play DVDs with the built-in Windows DVD Player, but unfortunately, it doesn't support Blu-ray discs.

So, instead of wasting cash on a Windows Blu-ray Player, we've got a better suggestion. Check out PowerDVD - it's a super comprehensive media player that can handle all sorts of media types on your Windows 10 machine. Plus, with PowerDVD, you can even enhance your viewing experience with TruTheater. That means you'll get richer, more vivid colors and crisper, more balanced sound - no matter what type of media you're enjoying.

How To Play Blu-ray on Windows 8.1

if you're using Windows 8.1, it doesn't have built-in support for playing Blu-ray discs. Bummer, right?

But don't worry, there's an easy fix. All you need to do is download a Blu-ray player program to watch those discs on your computer. And our top pick for Windows 8.1 or 8.1 Pro users is PowerDVD.

With PowerDVD, you can play all kinds of media types - including ultra high-def 4K and 8K videos - on an OS that doesn't typically support media playback. So, go ahead and enjoy all your favorite movies and shows with PowerDVD on your Windows 8.1 computer.

How To Play Blu-ray on Windows 7

Unfortunately, Windows 7 does not allow users to play Blu-ray discs natively on the operating system. To watch your discs on your Windows 7 machine, all you need to do is download a media player like PowerDVD. It's a super user-friendly option that supports all sorts of media types - including Ultra HD Blu-ray discs and 8K video footage.

Once you've got PowerDVD downloaded and installed, just pop in your Blu-ray disc and open up the software. Easy peasy! You'll be enjoying your favorite movies in no time.

Blu-ray Player for PC FAQ

1. Do I Need to Download Codecs?

You do not need to download any codecs to play Blu-ray discs using the PowerDVD Blu-ray player software for Windows 10. PowerDVD includes all the codecs you need to play any video format, simplifying your movie-watching process. This is not true with all other media players and why we recommend going with the most reliable playback software available, PowerDVD.

2. Does Windows Media Player Play Blu-ray?

Windows Media Player does not support Blu-ray discs. If you would like to play a Blu-ray movie on your Windows PC or laptop, you will need to download a Blu-ray player for Windows 10, such as PowerDVD.

3. Can I Watch a Blu-ray on My TV by Using My Computer?

You can stream Blu-ray discs from your computer to your TV using PowerDVD. Simply pull up your Blu-ray movie in the PowerDVD software, then cast your library to your TV using Google Chromecast, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV. PowerDVD will stream your movie in the best possible quality.

4. Are There Any Viewing Enhancements for Blu-ray Discs?

Playing your Blu-ray disc through a PC media player often enables you to enhance your picture and audio quality. PowerDVD, for example, includes TrueTheater enhancements that allow you to sharpen and adjust the color and audio for all file types.

TrueTheater creates a cinematic experience right on your computer or TV. You can use these enhancements to optimize lighting for your viewing environment, convert your picture quality to HDR, and transform your video to resemble the quality you would see in the movie theatre. You will never want to watch movies the old-fashioned way again!

5. Can I use a Blu-ray player on a PC?

Totally! If you've got a Blu-ray disc you're itching to watch on your computer, you can absolutely use a Blu-ray player. Just make sure your PC has a Blu-ray drive and you have the right software installed to play the disc. Options like PowerDVD are excellent choices for this - they make it easy to watch Blu-ray movies on your computer.

6. Are There Any Viewing Enhancements for Blu-ray Discs?

If you want to watch Blu-ray discs on your PC, you'll need to have the right software. One of the most popular options out there is PowerDVD - it's a media player that can handle all sorts of formats, including Blu-ray.

7. Are There Any Viewing Enhancements for Blu-ray Discs?

To check if your PC can play Blu-ray discs, you'll need to ensure it has a Blu-ray drive. This might be built into your computer, or you may need to buy an external drive. Once you've sorted that, you'll also need to ensure you've got the right software to play the discs - like PowerDVD. So, just check your computer specs and software options, and you'll be all set to enjoy some high-def movie magic!

How to Convert Blu-ray to Digital

We live in a digital age, and as a result, many people have begun converting their DVD and Blu-ray discs to digital formats. Converting your Blu-ray disc into a digital file enables you to store it on your computer and play it anytime, allowing you to get rid of the physical disc altogether.

One way to convert Blu-ray discs into digital files is through software like MakeMKB. This program is easy to navigate and free to download, making it a simple solution to turn physical discs into digital formats you can store on your Windows desktop.

Similarly, Vudu's program allows you to convert physical discs into digital format. While this program isn't free and can get really expensive, it can help declutter your Blu-ray and DVD collection.

Also, many Blu-ray discs come with a digital code that you can use to view them on your computer. For example, Amazon often provides digital copies of movies with the purchase of a physical copy.

Best Blu-ray Player for Windows

Best products mentioned in this guide:

Best Playback: Cyberlink PowerDVD
Disc-to-digital conversion: MakeMKB

You can find a wide range of Blu-ray software for Windows 10 across the web. However, we recommend PowerDVD as the best software to play Blu-ray discs on a Windows computer—you can also use it to watch DVDs on Windows. This program is easy to use, runs smoothly, supports a wide range of media types, and enhances your media quality during playback.

Download PowerDVD today to start watching your Blu-ray discs on your PC.

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