In May, Microsoft confirmed that for the standard version of Windows 8, Windows Media Player will no longer be able to play DVD discs as it does with the current Windows 7 version. Users who purchase the optional Windows Media Center for Windows 8 will be able to enable DVD playback in WMC.
Now, it appears that Microsoft has also quietly taken away another feature in the Windows 8 version of Windows Media Player. As spotted by Neowin forum member Nazmus Shakib Khandaker, WMP now no longer loads its integrated media store and media guide with the update to Windows 8 (the Windows Media website itself is still active).
Nazmus notes that such a feature has been available in Windows Media Player since the launch of Windows ME 12 years ago, when Microsoft offered up an online video and news guide inside Windows Media Player 7. Over the years, WMP have evolved to offering its users third party stores inside the software itself.
In this particular case, removing this media guide feature from the Windows 8 version of Windows Media Center seems to be a good move. Microsoft has already announced plans to launch its own streaming music service this fall, Xbox Music, and Microsoft is likely shutting down the media guide features in the new version of WMN as a result. We have emailed Microsoft for confirmation.
Source: Neowin forums