Solved Will I lose my WMC license if I reinstall Win8

BoonDoggie

Pimp Daddy Knack
Member
Messages
10
Location
Florida
I bought windows 8 a few months ago only because the deal was too sweet, but never installed it until recently, and that was only because I got the free Windows Media Center license that would expire on Jan 31. So I upgrade installed my Win7 install and everything went ok, but somehow, a few weeks later, my RAID setup broke. Luckily I back up everything. But I've never been a big fan of upgrade installs and want to start over. I know Windows will install fine, but I use WMC a lot, and wonder if I can reinstall using my license, even though its after the 31st. I had already installed it, so i don't think I'm not abiding by the rules.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i5 2500K Sandy Bridge @ 4.5 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4 (rev 1.0)
    Memory
    16GB CORSAIR Vengeance DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard ---> Focusrite Saffire LE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    1) 2x128GB OCZ Vertex 4 SSD in RAID 0 (854MB/sec read!!)
    2) 5TB spread over 4 HDD
    PSU
    OCZ 550 watt
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - cpu, 2x120mm - Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable 10 Mbit/sec
Let me know too...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 & Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
    CPU
    AMD Athlon II X2 245
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H
    Memory
    4096 MB DDR2-SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    On bord
I think so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Why should you lose your WMC-Key, when you already activated it before ?

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows-10-Pro-Build-11099.rs1-x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3770k @4800MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77-V
    Memory
    G.Skill 16G(4*4G) DDR3-2400 Quad Channel [TDX] F3-2400C10Q-16GTX
    Graphics Card(s)
    2x Gigabyte GTX980-Ti-OC-STRIX-6GB in 2-Way-SLI (1408MHz | Boost: 1544MHz | Memory-Clock: 8000MHz)
    Sound Card
    OnBoard Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VE278Q 27" Wide Led Black Full HD 2ms | Dell S2409W 24" 5ms
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    - Intel 520S 240GB/SATA3/R 550MBs,W 520MBs/25nm/3.5"Kit/5yr
    - Samsung 840 EVO SATA3 500GB
    - Seagate Barracuda SATA3 1TB 7200RPM 64mb Cache
    - Seagate Barracuda SATA3 1TB 7200RPM 64mb Cache
    - Seagate Constellation SATA3 3TB 7200RPM 64mb Cache
    -
    PSU
    Corsair AX1200i
    Case
    Thermaltake Level-10 GT LCS
    Cooling
    EK H3O HFX 240mm Liquid Cooling Kit + 2x EK-480-Rads + GPU-Blocks + Gelid Extreme
    Keyboard
    Roccat Isku | Logitech G13 | XBox 360 Controller wired | Logitech Dual Action GamePad
    Mouse
    Roccat Pure Military Dessert Strike | Shogun Bros. Ballista MK-1 | Cyborg R.A.T. 7 Infection
    Internet Speed
    ADSL2+ ~15MBit/s DL | ~1MBit/s UL
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    - Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick
    - Plantronics GameCom Commander Headset
    - Logitech X-210 Speakers
    - Roccat Taito Mid-Size 5mm
    - PC-Master-Race MousePad (yellow)
The product key code changed after you installed WMC. That's the key you should use to install windows 8 and WMC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom build
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X 4 965 BE
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-MA790X-DS4
    Memory
    G-Skill 8 GB PC 8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD XFX HD Radeon 6790D
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2l Samsung SyncMaster S20B300
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 900
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Barracuda 320 GB w/OS
    Seagate Barracuda 1 TB data storage
    PSU
    Ultra X4 750 watt fully modular
    Case
    Thermaltake OverSeer RX 1 fulltower
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper212 120mm
    Keyboard
    Logitech G510
    Mouse
    Razor DeathAdder 3.5
I have re-installed Windows and Windows Media Center Pack twice this week and have not had a problem with activation of either.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware/Area51
    CPU
    I7-980, 3.33@3.33 Gulftown
    Motherboard
    Foxconn
    Memory
    12G, 3x4GB, 1333
    Graphics Card(s)
    2-GTX480
    Sound Card
    SB X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (3)Dell Ultrasharp 2007FP
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    750GB, 7.2K Seagate
    750GB, 7.2K Seagate
    1TB, 7.2K WD Black
    1TB, 7.2K WD Black
    PSU
    1200 Watt
    Case
    AW Area51
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU and Air
    Keyboard
    AW Tactical
    Mouse
    AW Tactical
    Internet Speed
    15-25MB Cable
    Other Info
    Hauppauge! Win TV-HVR-1800 MC-Kit
The product key code changed after you installed WMC. That's the key you should use to install windows 8 and WMC.

I have re-installed Windows and Windows Media Center Pack twice this week and have not had a problem with activation of either.

I have a new PC on order and was wondering this as well.

Did you install windows first and then the wmc key or did you use a different

key like Bassfisher says.?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8 Pro with Media Center 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebrew
    CPU
    intel i3 3220
    Motherboard
    asus P8H61-MX USB3
    Memory
    8gb ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    on board
    Sound Card
    on board
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    500gb

My Computer

System One

  • 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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Microsoft Windows 8 Pro with Media Center 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    homebrew
    CPU
    intel i3 3220
    Motherboard
    asus P8H61-MX USB3
    Memory
    8gb ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    on board
    Sound Card
    on board
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 900
    Hard Drives
    500gb
You're most welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • 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
The product key code changed after you installed WMC. That's the key you should use to install windows 8 and WMC.

What are u referring to by changed product key... emphasis on changed. I wouldn't use the key MS sent me for WMC?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i5 2500K Sandy Bridge @ 4.5 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4 (rev 1.0)
    Memory
    16GB CORSAIR Vengeance DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard ---> Focusrite Saffire LE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    1) 2x128GB OCZ Vertex 4 SSD in RAID 0 (854MB/sec read!!)
    2) 5TB spread over 4 HDD
    PSU
    OCZ 550 watt
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - cpu, 2x120mm - Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable 10 Mbit/sec
Hello everyone,

You would reinstall Windows 8 using your Windows 8 key to activate first.

Afterwards, you would use "Add Features" to enter your WMC key to add Windows Media Center back.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6559-windows-media-center-add-windows-8-a.html


Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

Shawn the issue isn't that I don't know how to install. Its if I can install, as the free WMC stipulations was that it has to be installed by the Jan 31. But does that mean I can't reinstall if needed?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i5 2500K Sandy Bridge @ 4.5 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4 (rev 1.0)
    Memory
    16GB CORSAIR Vengeance DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard ---> Focusrite Saffire LE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    1) 2x128GB OCZ Vertex 4 SSD in RAID 0 (854MB/sec read!!)
    2) 5TB spread over 4 HDD
    PSU
    OCZ 550 watt
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - cpu, 2x120mm - Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable 10 Mbit/sec
Hello BoonDoggie,

The Jan 31 deadline just means that you must use and activate the WMC key before that date or the WMC key will be invalidated. After you have activated it once, you will be able to use it to reinstall again if needed forever.

Of course, the WMC key can only be activated on one computer a time, and uninstalled from any other computer first.
 

My Computer

System One

  • 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
Now that's a reply! Thank you!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i5 2500K Sandy Bridge @ 4.5 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4 (rev 1.0)
    Memory
    16GB CORSAIR Vengeance DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard ---> Focusrite Saffire LE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    1) 2x128GB OCZ Vertex 4 SSD in RAID 0 (854MB/sec read!!)
    2) 5TB spread over 4 HDD
    PSU
    OCZ 550 watt
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - cpu, 2x120mm - Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable 10 Mbit/sec
You're most welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • 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
Okay, I'm home and have my I-Just-Got-Home drank in me. I will be redoing my sys tonight or sometime this morning, hopefully only half drunk instead of walking in the streets naked tore down. Thanks again Shawn and others for the chime in. Ill give reports later.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Professional 64 bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel i5 2500K Sandy Bridge @ 4.5 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD4 (rev 1.0)
    Memory
    16GB CORSAIR Vengeance DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard ---> Focusrite Saffire LE
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 22"
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    1) 2x128GB OCZ Vertex 4 SSD in RAID 0 (854MB/sec read!!)
    2) 5TB spread over 4 HDD
    PSU
    OCZ 550 watt
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - cpu, 2x120mm - Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless
    Mouse
    Microsoft Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable 10 Mbit/sec
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