Windows Media Center free key

[tpat591]

Windows 8 Pro WMC Upgrade Product Key Fails while Adding

HELP!

Upgraded to Win 8 Pro yesterday. Had gotten email from Microsoft with product key for adding WMC. Went to add it and when it was processing it was unsuccessful and rolled back the installation to "original" settings.

I now realize that was because I had not properly installed my 11 updates after upgrading. Now that I finally have KB2770917 properly installed I went to add WMC again on same computer with windows 8 using same product key that Microsoft emailed me (by cut & paste) it says: This key won't work. Check it and try again, or try a different key.

I have tried to get this to work all night long. Any help you could give would greatly appreciated!

 

[dingoden]

Try typing in the product key, I know that some programs don't accept copy and paste. If I had known about WMC and the key hassle I would never bother with it!!

 

[tpat591]

Try typing in the product key, I know that some programs don't accept copy and paste. If I had known about WMC and the key hassle I would never bother with it!!

Tried that several times throughout the evening. Nothing works. It is a clean fresh key. The only time it was used was during the incomplete install. Guess it somehow registered it as used.

 

[alphanumeric]

Hi All,

I applied for the "free key" for WMC. After a week or so I called MS and the guy there told me to re-apply. I explained that I had a Laptop and Desktop. He said just apply for one so I did and I received the email from MS with a key. I installed WMC and that was fine. Then I went to the laptop and there was the same email so I applied the key to the Laptop and now I have a warning that the product key has been used!. It is my fault, but this appears to mean if you install WMC it will replace that original product key that came with your copy of Windows 8 pro. If one has to reinstall Windows 8 pro at a later date what key would be needed for activation? The original or the WMC key? Perhaps both as required? I wish I had not bothered with WMC, but a freebee for MS..Well, say no more!

How easy is it to uninstall WMC from the computer?

Your Media Center key becomes your new Activation key. It can only be used on one PC. You can try to use it on more than one PC but the Microsoft Activation server will likely see that and warn you not to. Ob a reinstall you'll need both keys. Windows 8 Pro install media won't accept the Media Center key during the install. Once its installed and activated you can enter your Media center key in Add Features. This guy uninstalled Media Center without having to reinstall, http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/15073-remove-window-media-center.html

 

[dingoden]

All fine and dandy

OK now. I called MS tech and they fixed it up (logmein to look at my Laptop and an then activated Windows 8) so I am sure that MS have really tightened up the use of product keys. For less than $16 it is well worth the genuine article!

 

[tpat591]

My issue solved during a 5hr session with Microsoft Support. Had to redo the entire upgrade again, apply all win 8 updates, and my original product key worked.

 

[Mitchell]

Quick question.... What happens say if like a year times i want to do a reinstaill of the OS, am i still able to use my free key??? or wont it work after Jan 31st?

 

[dingoden]

The message I got from Microsoft is "Use your Windows 8 product key to install the OS. Then use your "free" key to install WMC."

 

[Mitchell]

The message I got from Microsoft is "Use your Windows 8 product key to install the OS. Then use your "free" key to install WMC."

So that will still work after Jan 31st?
Do you just pretty have to be like activate the key before Jan 31st and then you can reuse it for a number of times after that and into 2014

 

[Phone Man]

The message I got from Microsoft is "Use your Windows 8 product key to install the OS. Then use your "free" key to install WMC."

So that will still work after Jan 31st?
Do you just pretty have to be like activate the key before Jan 31st and then you can reuse it for a number of times after that and into 2014

It just says it has to be used by Jan 31, no information on reinstalls. I would think that once it is activated it can be reused but it may take a call to MS to get it activated but who knows. Who wants to be the first to try it after Jan 31????

Jim

 

[dingoden]

The key is free until 31 Jan. After that you pay for it

 

[alphanumeric]

All of the above.
It's free untill Jan 31st.
The free keys must be activated at least once before Jan 31st or they expire.
Once activated you can use them again and agin on the same PC you activated them on, even after Jan 31st.
You will have to install and activate Windows 8 Pro before you can use your Media Center key in add features.

 

[Sandbird]

I am trying to get a key and it gives me this:

We couldn't process your order.
Terms & Conditions

Does it work anymore ?

ty

 

[Brink]

Hello Sandbird, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Are you using the first link below? The second link can give you more details on how to add it when you get the key.

Add features - Microsoft Windows

and

Windows Media Center - Add to Windows 8

 

[Sandbird]

Hi brink,
yes i am using the above link (Add features .....) and i put the captcha code and my hotmail email (new email for my win8).
And i press the blue button and i get the error i mentioned. Does it work for you ?!?
Have they disabled this feature ? I dont understand.
My windows are authorized, windows updates work perfectly and everything else is fine....I just cant get a key for the media center...meaning no TV for me

 

[Brink]

Yep, it still works just fine for me.

Do you have cookies enabled?

Did you already get 5 keys?

Do you meet all of the requirements at the link below it sent you to?

Terms and Conditions Feature Packs - Microsoft Windows

 

[Sandbird]

Do you have cookies enabled? Yes

Did you already get 5 keys? Not even one...I just installed win8 today

Do you meet all of the requirements at the link below it sent you to? Yes i have win 8 pro, and all the requirements.

 

[Brink]

Not sure then. You might try again at an off peek time period to see if it may work for you then.

 

[Sandbird]

i've been trying for 5h now....and now that you said that it worked for you i even tried with a US proxy ( i thought maybe its my country peek time i dont know ) and still the same result

 

[Brink]

Try without using a proxy or any other IP mask.