HTPC: Windows 10 or 8.1?

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Limp Gawd
Joined
May 21, 2007
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Are there any benefits to using Windows 10 versus 8.1? The majority of the time it will be used for Kodi watching IPTV / Netflix / Youtube / etc and there will be light gaming at 1080p.

The only two advantages I can think of are that DirectX 12 and the apps. Although I'm not sure if apps on 10 are the same as on 8.1 or not. I do know that the Netflix 10 version provides 5.1 surround sound.

Note: I would have to buy 10 versus using an existing copy of 8 so is it worth $100+?
 
I would look at that but it's not a regular version of 8.1 so I don't believe it's eligible for that upgrade anyway.
 
Which do you prefer? The Netflix app on both will do surround sound, although it's Dolby Digital +. I'd almost rather have stereo with how poorly mixed it tends to be.
Beyond how the OS works, there isn't much (if any) difference for non-gaming. For gaming, the only real difference is DX12.
You can side-load Media Center on Win 10 if you still like that program. I don't think it's been updated in forever either way.
 
It's for non technical people, but I'm sure they could learn 8.1 if they could save money from 10. I'm mainly wondering if there's any technical reasons to go to 10 or not. As you said there isn't much more reason than DX12, I just wanted to double check. I would be using Kodi most likely as it's being kept up to date and is new.
 
If you want WMC then use 8.1 if you dont want WMC use 10.

I wouldnt fuss with all that side loading, WMC is flaky enough.
 
Is there an alternative to WMC yet for recording TV shows like a DVR? For an HTPC, I'd guess that's a strong reason to stay away from 10. WMC is still doing great as a DVR for me and my HDhomerun tuner on win 7. Haven't bothered to investigate alternatives. I tinker with my gaming rig - not so much my HTPC - I just set it and forget it.
 
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