Win 8 Pro Media Center--one email address limit

joangolfing

New Member
Messages
17
I discovered that Windows 8 Media Center Pack(free upgrade) is limited to one email address. Each product key can be applied to only one computer, but also has the restriction of using one email address per key.

After much difficulty, I switched to an alternate email address and got the key I needed for my laptop. I have purchased two separate licenses for my desktop and laptop Win 8 installation. But I did not read the fine print about the limitation on one email address.

Hope this helps others who are adding the free Media Center to their Win 8 computers.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hp Pavilion dv6 3122
Hmmm, I've been using the same 1 code they sent me on both my Desktop and laptop without any issues..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home build
    CPU
    Intel i7 2600K 3.4
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77G41
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX670
    Sound Card
    7.1 Auzentech Prelude
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2-24.5
    Hard Drives
    1-120GIg Mushken SSD
    3-1TB 7200 HDs
** Windows 8 Media Center Pack is available at no charge for a limited time only through the promotional page on Windows.com. If you obtain Windows 8 Media Center Pack through any other location, fees might apply. Offer valid from October 26, 2012, until January 31, 2013, and is limited to one product key per email address. In addition, each product key can only be used with one computer. You qualify for this promotion if your PC is running Windows 8 Pro. Additional hardware may be required to watch and record live TV. You must provide a valid email address to receive your Windows 8 Media Center Pack product key. This promotion ends on January 31, 2013; your product key must be activated no later than February 1, 2013. Microsoft will only contact you at the email address you provide to send you your product key and to remind you when the activation period for your product key is ending. Catalysis Corporation is a third-party company we use to collect subscription information and process the delivery of these emails. If you purchase a new PC with Windows 8 preinstalled and you later upgrade that PC with Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8 Media Center Pack, a volume license edition, or a retail edition, you will no longer be able to install apps that are provided exclusively from your PC manufacturer through the Windows Store. Get the full details on our special offers.

Microsoft respects your privacy. To learn more, please read our online Privacy Statement.


I copied that from the e-mail I got with my product code. I used several e-mail addresses to get the keys I needed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Went ahead and entered a alternate Email address and requested another key just in case....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64Bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home build
    CPU
    Intel i7 2600K 3.4
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77G41
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX670
    Sound Card
    7.1 Auzentech Prelude
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2-24.5
    Hard Drives
    1-120GIg Mushken SSD
    3-1TB 7200 HDs
:thumb: Good idea, ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
yeah good thing they are charging for Media Center, certainly wouldn't want Microsoft to go bankrupt...

This is BS, MS = BS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 - Linux (Ubuntu & Zorin) - XP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBuyPower
    CPU
    i5-2320 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock H61M-VVGS
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 6770

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
yeah good thing they are charging for Media Center, certainly wouldn't want Microsoft to go bankrupt...

This is BS, MS = BS

For a limited time, get Windows 8 Media Center Pack for free.
Add features - Microsoft Windows

So it is good through Jan, 2013.... So what? it should have been included as it is with Win 7.

All this is saying is that (like so many of their packages) they plan on abandoning it entirely. The handwriting is on the wall. They don't want to support and are already putting up road blocks to discourage it's use. I have seen them do this over and over and over again.

I am so sick Microsoft's BS. Ever since en-Balmer has taken over, they have gone downhill. The wrong man just recently left MS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 - Linux (Ubuntu & Zorin) - XP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBuyPower
    CPU
    i5-2320 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock H61M-VVGS
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 6770
Everybody wants free, free, free, and then when they get it they still complain. C'est la vie
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
The funny thing is they never send me one to my only hotmail address I own. go figure why
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
    CPU
    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
    Motherboard
    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
When a company INCLUDES functionality for free for years then TAKES IT AWAY only to then CHARGE YOU to get it back later... that just plain stinks and I don't see how anyone can say it doesn't.

Other than this promotional pricing (which 7 also had WITH the functionality included) the price of windows has not gone down, it's not like they are piecing it out allowing you to buy a cheaper version without functionality you don't need. It's the same price, only more expensive now if you want that functionality back. (And given the enormous advertising vehicle that W8 is destined to become, it should have been half the price of W7 right off the bat)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7/8
The funny thing is they never send me one to my only hotmail address I own. go figure why

Does Hotmail have a junk e-mail/spam folder? At least one of mine ended up in my junk e-mail folder. Microsoft farmed it out to a third party so the e-mail doesn't actually come from Microsoft. That's resulted in some people missing it and or not noticing it went to the junk e-mail folder.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I got one but can't use it as my Notebook came with Windows8 Home Version but I'm hoping that by downloading Microsoft Essentials bundle will take care of it. :think:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zoostorm/ Asus K55A Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
    Memory
    2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM)/8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Corp 82945G Integrated Graphics Controller
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns.G HH221 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    ExcelStor (250GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (UK)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
    Other Info
    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
    Seagate Expansion 500GB External Desktop Drive
A bit confused just reading forum which says media player must be activated when I added free code it says system is activated did nothing seem to do it it's self is that right cheers
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 pro
The funny thing is they never send me one to my only hotmail address I own. go figure why

Does Hotmail have a junk e-mail/spam folder? At least one of mine ended up in my junk e-mail folder. Microsoft farmed it out to a third party so the e-mail doesn't actually come from Microsoft. That's resulted in some people missing it and or not noticing it went to the junk e-mail folder.

that were my key ended up in the junk folder ,it actually warned me that it might go there when I entered it to get the download
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
I don't know what you are complaining about.

You get other things included now, instead.

Like bloatware and adware.


When a company INCLUDES functionality for free for years then TAKES IT AWAY only to then CHARGE YOU to get it back later... that just plain stinks and I don't see how anyone can say it doesn't.

Other than this promotional pricing (which 7 also had WITH the functionality included) the price of windows has not gone down, it's not like they are piecing it out allowing you to buy a cheaper version without functionality you don't need. It's the same price, only more expensive now if you want that functionality back. (And given the enormous advertising vehicle that W8 is destined to become, it should have been half the price of W7 right off the bat)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I copied that from the e-mail I got with my product code.
Microsoft said:
each product key can only be used with one computer.
Here Microsoft is mistaken. A WMC key can be used on several PCs. But sometimes only with phone activation.

Perhaps it should read: "Each product key is only allowed be used with one computer."
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
When a company INCLUDES functionality for free for years then TAKES IT AWAY only to then CHARGE YOU to get it back later... that just plain stinks and I don't see how anyone can say it doesn't.

Other than this promotional pricing (which 7 also had WITH the functionality included) the price of windows has not gone down, it's not like they are piecing it out allowing you to buy a cheaper version without functionality you don't need. It's the same price, only more expensive now if you want that functionality back. (And given the enormous advertising vehicle that W8 is destined to become, it should have been half the price of W7 right off the bat)

I believe MS thinks the new start screen basically makes WMC redundant. Too bad the applications are not there, but they should be eventually. TV tuner OEMs will be forced to create their own tv browsing apps, and I've been conversing with a small company that may port their Bluray player to WDL (and create a light DVD only version)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
To some email addresses Microsoft do not send media center keys.
E.G with prefix "spam" like spam@....... or spam1@.......

What prefix do you use ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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