Windows Media Center - Add to Windows 8

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


information   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:



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   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   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
​
Example.jpg​




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.
​
Note   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   Note

​
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.​
​
​


​

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.
​
A) Click/tap on the I already have a product key option. (see screenshot below)​
​
WMC-2.jpg​
​
​
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.​
​
​
​
WMC-3.jpg​
​
​
C) Select (check ) the I accept the license terms box, and click/tap on Add features. (see screenshot below)​
​
WMC-4.jpg​
​
​
D) Go to step 4 below.​

3. If You Need to Purchase the Windows 8 Media Center Pack
​
A) Select, and click/tap on Choose for the pack you need below. (see screenshot below)​
​
Note   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   Note

​
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.​
​
​


​
​
Media_Center.jpg​
​
​
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)
​
WMC-5.jpg​
​

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.
​
WMC-7.jpg​
​

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


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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Click to expand...
jds63 said:
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:
Click to expand...

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.
 

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
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!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
It seems so. A lot of folks have been having this issue. Hopefully MS will get it sorted soon.
 

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
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:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
Brink said:
It seems so. A lot of folks have been having this issue. Hopefully MS will get it sorted soon.
Click to expand...

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!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
Great news. :party:
 

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
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
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Bush Eluma B1 10.1 Inch Windows Tablet with Keyboard Case.
    CPU
    Intel Atom Z3735G @ 1.33GHz Quad Core
    Motherboard
    Not Known If You Do Let Me Know Pls
    Memory
    1.GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (R) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Intel SST Audio/Realteck 125 Audio Codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (Onboard)
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    C:\Toshiba 032GE4
    D:\Generic 32GB SD Card
    PSU
    Not Known If You Do Let Me Know Pls
    Case
    Plastic Front - Metal Rear
    Cooling
    Not Known If You Do Let Me Know Pls
    Keyboard
    Onboard
    Mouse
    Logitec Via OTG USB Data Connector Cable
    Internet Speed
    Download 25.39Mb/s Upload 4.73 Mb/s
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    MicrosoftDefender
    Other Info
    Camera Front & Back Pretty Poor Image Quality
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
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Bush Eluma B1 10.1 Inch Windows Tablet with Keyboard Case.
    CPU
    Intel Atom Z3735G @ 1.33GHz Quad Core
    Motherboard
    Not Known If You Do Let Me Know Pls
    Memory
    1.GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (R) HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Intel SST Audio/Realteck 125 Audio Codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (Onboard)
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    C:\Toshiba 032GE4
    D:\Generic 32GB SD Card
    PSU
    Not Known If You Do Let Me Know Pls
    Case
    Plastic Front - Metal Rear
    Cooling
    Not Known If You Do Let Me Know Pls
    Keyboard
    Onboard
    Mouse
    Logitec Via OTG USB Data Connector Cable
    Internet Speed
    Download 25.39Mb/s Upload 4.73 Mb/s
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    MicrosoftDefender
    Other Info
    Camera Front & Back Pretty Poor Image Quality
You may need to find an online retailer to purchase a legal retail copy of Windows 8 Pro from.
 

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
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