Windows Media Center - Add to Windows 8

How to Add "Windows Media Center" to Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

You can use Windows Media Center, a home entertainment center in Windows, to watch and record live TV, create slide shows of your photos, listen to songs in your music library, and play CDs and DVDs.
Some editions of Windows include Windows Media Center. If you don't have Windows Media Center, follow these steps to get the Windows Media Center Pack. Note that you need an analog or digital TV tuner to play and record live TV. A TV tuner is a hardware device that lets you connect a TV signal to your PC. If your PC didn't come with a TV tuner, you might be able to add one.

For more information about this, see:

• Making Windows Media Center available in Windows 8 - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
• Get started with Windows Media Center - Microsoft Windows Help

This tutorial will show you how to purchase install Windows Media Center in Windows 8 since it is not preinstalled by default.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Note

Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise will not have Add features to Windows 8/8.1 available since there are not any features available to add in that edition.

Windows Media Center is available as an economical “media pack” add-on to your installed and activated Windows 8/8.1 Pro.

If you have Windows 8 Pro installed, then you can add Windows Media Center by buying the Windows 8 Media Center Pack.

If you have Windows 8.1 Pro installed, then you can add Windows Media Center by buying the Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack.

If you have Windows 8 installed, then you will need to buy the Windows 8 Pro Pack to have Media Center added and all the features of Windows 8 Pro.

If you have Windows 8.1 installed, then you will need to buy the Windows 8.1 Pro Pack to have Media Center added and all the features of Windows 8.1 Pro.

   Tip

Please be sure to save your email or print out the invoice for safe keeping of your purchased product key. Without this product key, you will not be able to add the Windows 8/8.1 Media Center Pack or Windows 8/8.1 Pro Pack again without having to purchase it again.

If you lost your product key, then you could enter your order number, last name, email address, and country, along with the code displayed at Microsoft below to view your order information at any time.

https://www.mswos.com/

If you lost your product key and have the proof of purchase for the Windows 8/8.1 Media Center Pack or Windows 8/8.1 Pro Pack, then the Microsoft Store Support Team may be able to help you in recovering the product key for the product that you have purchased. You can contact the Microsoft Store Support Team from this link:

Microsoft Store Support

EXAMPLE: Windows Media Center

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Here's How:

1. Open the Add features to Windows 8/8.1 wizard, and do step 2 or 3 below depending on if you have already purchased the Windows 8/8.1 Media Center Pack or not.

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   Note

Windows 8 /8.1Enterprise will not have Add features to Windows 8/8.1 available since there are not any features available to add in that edition.

   Note

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If you already installed the Window 8/8.1 Media Center Pack or Windows 8/8.1 Pro Pack, then Add features to Windows 8/8.1 since there are no longer any features available to add.​

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2. If You Have Already Purchased the Windows 8 Media Center Pack
NOTE: You can only install this on one Windows 8 installation. You will need a separate purchased key per installation.

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A) Click/tap on the I already have a product key option. (see screenshot below)​

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B) Enter your product key number for your purchased Windows 8 Media Center Pack, and click\tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: The key number in the screenshot is just the one from the Windows 8 Release Preview. It will no longer work.​

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C) Select (check ) the I accept the license terms box, and click/tap on Add features. (see screenshot below)​

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D) Go to step 4 below.​

3. If You Need to Purchase the Windows 8 Media Center Pack

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A) Select, and click/tap on Choose for the pack you need below. (see screenshot below)​

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   Note

If you have Windows 8/8.1 Pro installed, then you can get Windows Media Center by getting the paid Windows 8/8.1 Media Center Pack.

   Note

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If you have Windows 8/8.1 installed, then you will need to buy the Windows 8/8.1 Pro Pack and then enjoy Media Center and all the features of Windows 8 Pro.​

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B) Finish filling out any required billing information, and click on Next.​

4. Windows Media Center will now start to be added to Windows 8, and your PC will automatically restart during the process. (see screenshot below)

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5. When your PC has finished restarting, you will now notice that Windows Media Center will be pinned to your Start screen. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You may need to scroll over right more to see it.

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6. Open the desktop, and click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

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7. The Add features to Windows 8/8.1 wizzard will now no longer be available since there are no longer any additional features available to be added.


That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Remove "Windows Media Center" and go Back to Windows 8 Pro
• How to Add Features to Windows 8 and 8.1
• Compare Features Between Windows 8 Editions
• Compare Features Between Windows 8.1 Editions
• How to Turn Windows Features On or Off in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Download and Run "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" and "Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant"
• How to Install Media Feature Pack for N and KN Editions of Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone
• How to Find Your Product Key Number for Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[Brink]

Thanks Brink, but were exactly will the Key go to,where i can retrieve it? Figuring if i use my regular e-mail i will know where to find it. Microsoft said they were having problems with there server that does the digital downloads, not sure about that since had me on hold for an hour, accidently hung up on me, had to call back, then they told me this.


Sorry i know where to get my live.com mail.
I tried your method using that e-mail, still no luck " We could not process your order" then telling me try to use a different method of payment, which i tried, twice.:shock:

If the order is successfully processed, it will send you an order confirmation email to the email address you entered on the order form.

If you're using a proxy, then it will not work.

 

[jds63]

Problem is it never gets that far for me, does not go past the order complete process "We couldn't process your order".

No, not using a proxy, guessing Microsoft may be right, having an issue with this. Thanks!

 

[Brink]

It seems so. A lot of folks have been having this issue. Hopefully MS will get it sorted soon.

 

[jds63]

O.K. Brink thanks, i tried everything you mentioned and read your tutorial first. They should make another way of purchasing this instead of only one way. Like getting Windows 8.1 through there download center.:huh:

 

[jds63]

It seems so. A lot of folks have been having this issue. Hopefully MS will get it sorted soon.

Brink looks like they sorted things out i tried today adding new features to Windows 8.1 Pro and it finally worked, pass it on......
Thanks for the help!!

 

[Brink]

Great news.

 

[Arfer Daley]

does anyone have the up to date price for the upgrade I am in the uk and I know prices vary country too country
thanks for any input I have windows 8.1 full version still in the box unopened want too know all before I install will I still be able to record tv thru the media center

 

[Arfer Daley]

i tried to buy win 8 pro and the add-on for MCE but Microsoft refused to sell me the Reg keys when i said i could obtain these via the naughty step route for free they didn't seem bothered i want too obtain these via the legal route anyone have any suggestions i am running win7pro but have a new build and don't want too go too W10 as their is no media centre which i use a lot thanks for any suggestion's

 

[Brink]

You may need to find an online retailer to purchase a legal retail copy of Windows 8 Pro from.