How to Enable “DVD Library” in Media Center for Windows Vista

Media Center in Windows Vista has the capabilities of displaying and playing DVD content stored on your personal computer, however this feature is not enabled by default.  Enabling this feature is pretty easy and can be done by simply modifying your registry.

NOTE: Editing the Registry incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to re-install Windows Vista to correct them. Microsoft nor computingondemand.com cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry editing can be solved. Back up your registry first, but use at your own risk.

1. If Windows Media Center is running, close it.
2. Click Start
3. In the Start Search box, type regedit
4. In the Programs list, click regedit. (If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.)
5. Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings
6. In the details pane, right-click ShowGallery, and then click Modify.
7. Delete the contents that appear in the Value data box.
8. In the Value data box, type Gallery, and then click OK.
9. Close Registry Editor.

To have Vista Media Center display the cover for your ripped DVD simply download the cover from your favorite DVD cover source and save it in your ripped DVD content folder as folder.jpg.

Click here to download a registry export: showgallery.reg