How Can I Burn Windows 8 Media Center

[jbfoster]

I upgraded my desktop and my laptop. I signed up for WMC for both of them. Within 24 hours I received the key for my desktop. I used a different email for my laptop. I tried several times for two weeks and never received a key for my laptop. On January 25th I received a email reminder to activate WMC. This is the email address that I used and never received the key. I didn't get a email reminder for my desktop, I guess because I already activated that one.

 

[Der Snoober]

I checked with a Microsoft spokesperson and was told that the keys will continue to work after the deadline passes, and that they will work later if you need to reinstall Windows. The e-mail messages are mostly a reminder to upgrade, I was told.

Thanks for that info!

 

[franka]

I upgraded my PC from Win 7 to Win 8 PRO. I also got a key to add the Media Pack. All went well with the installation until my motherboard failed. I asked MS support if replacing the MB would produce any licenseing errors. They said no, just replace the board and boot up. That was okay but I needed to reactivate. Needless to say it would not reactivate, either electronically or by post. A call to MS support got me transferred to a guy called Paul in the states. After a 90 minute phone call, at their expense, he admitted defeat and told me the only way out was a new clean install. This I did, including a disc format and it has worked well ever since, note I did not load Win 7 first.

I then decided to upgrade my laptop with Win 8 PRO + media pack. I did this using the same E-Mail address as used previously. The only problem this time was that the key they sent for the media pack was the same as the one sent previously foe my PC, which of course didn`t work. Another quick call to MS support who supplied another key over the phone.

 

[MNDWGZ]

While the 8 Upgrade is forever. The free media center add-on is not.

It does not just add Media Center to Windows 8.

Your "Windows 8" is now your "Microsoft - Windows 8 Professional with Media Center" and your Windows 8 license numberhas been changed to reflect the difference.

AH HA! That's why my Product Key came up as the WMC key when I looked for it. It's kind of nice that Win 8 gives you the last 5 digits of the key (don't have to DL a key finder anymore) so you can figure out which unit has what key. So I guess the original Win8 key they sent that I didn't use won't do anything for me in the future.

 

[Ztruker]

If you ever have to reinstall Win 8 then you will use the original key. Then do the Add feature for WMC and use that key. You will need both.

 

[DavidY]

I think once you install and activate WMC (before the deadline), you can install it again at a later date if needed. At least that's what I've read in other threads here and at other sites.

See this article by Ed Botts for good info on this: Deadlines loom for cheap Windows 8 upgrades and Media Center Pack keys | Ed Bott

I checked with a Microsoft spokesperson and was told that the keys will continue to work after the deadline passes, and that they will work later if you need to reinstall Windows. The e-mail messages are mostly a reminder to upgrade, I was told.

First, the new license key replaces your existing Windows 8 Pro license key. Make sure you keep a record of the existing license key so that you can use it if you need to reinstall Windows 8 Pro.

Interesting that I see there's been an update on the first quote you mentioned. That bit now says:

I checked with a Microsoft spokesperson and was told that the keys will continue to work after the deadline passes, and that they will work later if you need to reinstall Windows. The e-mail messages are mostly a reminder to upgrade, I was told.

Update: A Microsoft spokesperson contacted me with additional information on this issue. Yes, you must activate those copies of the Media Center Pack by January 31. It’s possible (even likely) that the activation servers will continue to honor those keys for some period of time after January 31, but at some point in the near future an unactivated Media Center Pack key that was issued as part of this promotion will not be honored. (They will be usable for reinstallations, however.) Keys that are paid for, either before or after the deadline, will not expire.

 

[franka]

Hi
I got my free Windows media key about the middle of January and installed it yesterday. It worked fine.

 

[Der Snoober]

Good to hear that Franka. And welcome to Eightforums.

Have lots of fun with your upgraded Win8MediaCenter .

Greetz!

Rover