HTPC software setup

passey89 · 9 Aug 2012 at 06:54

Right ive just ordered

Celeron G540
Gigabyte mobo
ATI 5450
Asus DG5.1
Seagate 1TB HDD

still to order case and psu but that doesn't matter.

Im probably going to put windows 7 on it but I want it as minemal as possible.

How can i cut all the windows crap out of the install and what can I cut out?

I will probably run XBMC through it (never used it before been been loooking at review) is this the best way for it?

Its going to be used as storage for films / music and playing through HDMI / optical to the tv and surround sound amp?

Confused · 9 Aug 2012 at 09:42

The very best thing to do is leave the Windows install completely alone. Stripping stuff out will just cause you headaches later when you come across an odd issue that you can't resolve, and don't realise that a component you thought "I don't need that" is actually required.

As for front-end software, there's plenty of options. I personally use the built in Windows Media Center within Windows 7, and use the MediaBrowser add-on for browsing my TV Programmes/Movies with all of the metadata.

ChileanLlama · 9 Aug 2012 at 11:38

I'd go along with Confused if you want to use W7MC.

But if you're going with XBMC why not use a Linux based version and avoid wasting a Win7 licence on the machine?

passey89 · 9 Aug 2012 at 11:47

ChileanLlama said:
I'd go along with Confused if you want to use W7MC.

But if you're going with XBMC why not use a Linux based version and avoid wasting a Win7 licence on the machine?

I've got a few win 7 licences and can get a few more if needed they don't cost me anything.