How to enable the DVD Library in Windows Vista Media Center

Iv’e spent a lot of time copying my DVD library to my computer’s Hard Disk to protect my disks and to save having to swap them around everytime I want to watch them. In Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, DVD content that was stored on the hard disk automatically appeared in the My Videos folder, but it didn’t in Windows Vista.

I’ve finally worked out how to get my DVD Library to appear under Windows Vista Media Center and it involves a quick registry change to enable the ‘DVD Gallery’ feature that Microsoft have disabled in the default settings.

Warning: Remember all registry changes are made at your own risk.

1. Exit Windows Media Center if it is running.
2. Click StartStart button, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then click regedit in the Programs list.
3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings

4. In the results pane, right-click ShowGallery, and then click Modify.
5. Delete the contents that appear in the Value data box, type Gallery in the Value data box, and then click OK.
6. Exit Registry Editor

Now all of your DVD titles should appear in the new Vista DVD Gallery, providing easy access.