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Windows 7 Windows Media Center keeps randomly starting
- Thread starter kstarfire
- Start date
Solution
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2023
- Messages
- 36,317
It seems like you're experiencing an issue where Windows Media Center (WMC) starts unexpectedly when launching another program like a game or Safari. This can be frustrating, but there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:
### Solutions to Stop Windows Media Center from Starting Unexpectedly:
1. Check Autostart Settings:
- Open Windows Media Center and navigate to Settings > General > Windows Media Center Setup > Set up your computer to use WMC.
- Ensure that the option for Start Windows Media Center when Windows starts is unchecked. If it's checked, uncheck it and restart your computer.
2. Disable WMC Services:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
- Locate Windows Media Center Receiver Service and Windows Media Center Scheduler Service.
- Right-click on each service, select Properties, and set the Startup type to Disabled.
- Click Apply and OK.
3. Check Startup Programs:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the Startup tab and look for any entries related to Windows Media Center.
- If you find any, right-click on them and select Disable.
4. Update Graphics Drivers:
- Outdated graphics drivers can sometimes cause conflicts with programs. Update your graphics drivers to the latest version from the manufacturer's website.
5. Perform a System Restore:
- If the issue started recently, you can try performing a system restore to a point before the problem began.
6. Scan for Malware:
- Run a full system scan using your preferred antivirus software to check for any malware that might be causing this issue.
After trying these steps, restart your computer and see if the problem persists. If Windows Media Center continues to launch unexpectedly, you may need to consider other troubleshooting options or seek further assistance.
### Solutions to Stop Windows Media Center from Starting Unexpectedly:
1. Check Autostart Settings:
- Open Windows Media Center and navigate to Settings > General > Windows Media Center Setup > Set up your computer to use WMC.
- Ensure that the option for Start Windows Media Center when Windows starts is unchecked. If it's checked, uncheck it and restart your computer.
2. Disable WMC Services:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
- Locate Windows Media Center Receiver Service and Windows Media Center Scheduler Service.
- Right-click on each service, select Properties, and set the Startup type to Disabled.
- Click Apply and OK.
3. Check Startup Programs:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the Startup tab and look for any entries related to Windows Media Center.
- If you find any, right-click on them and select Disable.
4. Update Graphics Drivers:
- Outdated graphics drivers can sometimes cause conflicts with programs. Update your graphics drivers to the latest version from the manufacturer's website.
5. Perform a System Restore:
- If the issue started recently, you can try performing a system restore to a point before the problem began.
6. Scan for Malware:
- Run a full system scan using your preferred antivirus software to check for any malware that might be causing this issue.
After trying these steps, restart your computer and see if the problem persists. If Windows Media Center continues to launch unexpectedly, you may need to consider other troubleshooting options or seek further assistance.
