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Solved When Technet Subscriber Service Ends....Does My Windows 8?
Older - But No Wiser
Pro User
Here's a question for the experts among you.
I activated Win 8 RTM using a Technet key, I then got the free Pro upgrade that was offered to the public and obtained a new key for the Media Center edition through the normal retail channels. I can't remember whether that was free or paid, but I used the normal channels anyone else would use.
Windows 8 is unique in that you use a totally new activation key if you want Media Center. Now the question is, will the electronic rug be pulled from under that when my Technet Subscription expires? It is no longer using that original key.
Intriguing, no?
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Alienware® ALX X58
CPU
Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
Memory
24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
Graphics Card(s)
1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
Sound Card
Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung XL2370 LED
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080P
Hard Drives
2 X 500gb SATA
1 X 1TB SATA
1 X 3TB external eSATA
(Non-RAID)
PSU
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
Case
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
Cooling
Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
Keyboard
Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
Mouse
Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
Internet Speed
1tbs
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Administrator
Administrator
mvp
Hello Peter,
The
Windows 8 Media Center Pack key will not be affected by this since it's a different key. You will be able to use the WMC key to add WMC on any Windows 8 PC so long as it's only activated on one at the same time.
Only your product key from TechNet for Windows 8.1 may no longer activate when your TechNet subscription expires.
OS
64-bit Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Custom self built
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
PSU
OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3
Internet Speed
1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Older - But No Wiser
Pro User
So the procedure would be, assuming I don't want to have to go through a format and reinstall, to change the key using one from a retail copy. That would no doubt change my installation back to a non-MC copy. Then I can simply re-apply the MC key and reactivate MC that way...I hope...!!
Sounds complicated but that's the way they designed 8's key system.
I took advantage of a free Pro upgrade back whenever, if I recall correctly, I hope I wont lose that.
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Alienware® ALX X58
CPU
Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
Memory
24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
Graphics Card(s)
1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
Sound Card
Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung XL2370 LED
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080P
Hard Drives
2 X 500gb SATA
1 X 1TB SATA
1 X 3TB external eSATA
(Non-RAID)
PSU
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
Case
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
Cooling
Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
Keyboard
Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
Mouse
Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
Internet Speed
1tbs
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Administrator
Administrator
mvp
Yep, after you upgrade to Windows 8.1 Preview or Windows 8.1 RTM (when released), you would add WMC with it's key the same way as before.
You shouldn't loose the Pro WMC key either.
OS
64-bit Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Custom self built
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
PSU
OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3
Internet Speed
1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Older - But No Wiser
Pro User
Thanks. I'll buy a retail key nearer the time then, thanks Shawn.
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Alienware® ALX X58
CPU
Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
Memory
24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
Graphics Card(s)
1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
Sound Card
Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung XL2370 LED
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080P
Hard Drives
2 X 500gb SATA
1 X 1TB SATA
1 X 3TB external eSATA
(Non-RAID)
PSU
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
Case
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
Cooling
Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
Keyboard
Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
Mouse
Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
Internet Speed
1tbs
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Administrator
Administrator
mvp
You're welcome Peter.
I'd wait before purchasing one to see if the TechNet keys actually stop working though. They're suppose to, but we'll see.
OS
64-bit Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Custom self built
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
PSU
OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3
Internet Speed
1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Older - But No Wiser
Pro User
I agree. I already had my own Vista Ultimate so have changed the key back to that one in my Vista boot...one down, 2 to go... whenever ... ;-)
Got rid of my extra "Test" installations before this announcement as I was fed up with updating everything and they were not really serving much use so at least I don't have those to worry about.
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Alienware® ALX X58
CPU
Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
Memory
24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
Graphics Card(s)
1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
Sound Card
Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung XL2370 LED
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080P
Hard Drives
2 X 500gb SATA
1 X 1TB SATA
1 X 3TB external eSATA
(Non-RAID)
PSU
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
Case
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
Cooling
Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
Keyboard
Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
Mouse
Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
Internet Speed
1tbs
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Older - But No Wiser
Pro User
Question. When the time comes, would I buy a regular Windows 8 x64 copy or a Windows 8 Pro x64 copy? My mind's a blank at the moment on how exactly I got where I am now with that setup.
BTW I have actually 2 Windows Media Center Pack keys stored away so no problems there.
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Alienware® ALX X58
CPU
Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
Memory
24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
Graphics Card(s)
1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
Sound Card
Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung XL2370 LED
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080P
Hard Drives
2 X 500gb SATA
1 X 1TB SATA
1 X 3TB external eSATA
(Non-RAID)
PSU
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
Case
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
Cooling
Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
Keyboard
Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
Mouse
Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
Internet Speed
1tbs
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Administrator
Administrator
mvp
Since you have both a WMC (Windows 8) and WMC Pro key (Windows 8 Pro) to add them with, it really wouldn't matter I suppose, but I would go with Windows 8 Pro x64.
OS
64-bit Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Custom self built
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
PSU
OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3
Internet Speed
1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Older - But No Wiser
Pro User
Thought so, it's only a few dollars more. Thanks Shawn.
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Alienware® ALX X58
CPU
Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
Memory
24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
Graphics Card(s)
1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
Sound Card
Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung XL2370 LED
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080P
Hard Drives
2 X 500gb SATA
1 X 1TB SATA
1 X 3TB external eSATA
(Non-RAID)
PSU
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
Case
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
Cooling
Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
Keyboard
Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
Mouse
Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
Internet Speed
1tbs
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
Administrator
Administrator
mvp
Anytime.
OS
64-bit Windows 10
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Custom self built
CPU
Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
Memory
64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
Sound Card
Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
Screen Resolution
2560x1440
Hard Drives
1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
PSU
OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
Case
Thermaltake Core P3
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H115i
Keyboard
Logitech wireless K800
Mouse
Logitech MX Master 3
Internet Speed
1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
Browser
Internet Explorer 11
Antivirus
Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
Other Info
Logitech Z625 speaker system,
Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I have looked very carefully at the new subscription FAQ in light of Technet being turned off next year on Sept at the latest. There is no place that specifically says the product keys DIE when your subscription ends, you are just not supposed to use them anymore.
After the subscription ends, you no longer will be able to access your product keys (so write them down somewhere) or download the software (download and save the software before you subscription expires). Product keys SEEM like they will still work after the subscription ends. MS does reserve the right to turn off any product keys that they feel are being abused and there is not unlimited activations of the product keys. You are not supposed to use the software or keys after your subscription end, natch.
OS
Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit GA
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
i7-4770K Haswell
Motherboard
ASUS Z87-PRO
Memory
16 GB of Corsair 1866
Graphics Card(s)
GTX 780
Sound Card
Cooler Master Storm Headphones
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell 27 inch U2711 IPS
Screen Resolution
2560 by 1440
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 250GB SSD plus 2 3 TB drives
PSU
Corsair-750
Case
Corsair White Graphite Series 600T
Cooling
Corsair H00i Water
Keyboard
Corsair K90
Mouse
Logitech G9 Laser
Internet Speed
6.3 MBps
Browser
Firefox
Antivirus
MS
Older - But No Wiser
Pro User
It's kind of nebulous as most ex_Technet members have told me that their keys continue to be honoured even though they stopped renewing a while back and one even admitted to giving licenses to his entire family which is a no-no, unless he registered them all in his name of course. I can see MS lifting licenses that are deemed to be being misused, something they do in any case, Technet or not, but they will probably continue to honour them for those of us who went by the rules. But I guess time will tell. Mine runs out April 2014.
OS
Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
System Manufacturer/Model
Alienware® ALX X58
CPU
Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
Memory
24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
Graphics Card(s)
1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
Sound Card
Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung XL2370 LED
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1080P
Hard Drives
2 X 500gb SATA
1 X 1TB SATA
1 X 3TB external eSATA
(Non-RAID)
PSU
Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
Case
Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
Cooling
Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
Keyboard
Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
Mouse
Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
Internet Speed
1tbs
Other Info
Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.