I believe this is correct but please do correct me if I'm Wrong.
I bought windows 8 Pro Upgrade on my desktop (after loads of BSOD relating to nvidia I went back to 7) and installed it on my laptop (originally running XP) I also got the media centre pack .... twice since there server was going mad!
Anyway, what I'm asking is can I (technically) run 2 copies of Windows 8 Pro With Media Centre and 1 copy of Windows 8 Pro?
as in Windows activation on the laptop I'm using it says it's using the media centre key rather than the Windows 8 Pro key!
I also want to confirm that the Windows 8 Media Centre Pack is a separate licence?
Hi there
WMC is a separate license - however it *Might* install on several computers -- did you download when it was offered as a Free add on - I think those copies DO install on several computers. Not sure about the current version. I've abandoned WMC anyway as there's much better software out there IMO for this purpose.
Windows (any flavour) requires a separate license on each computer it's being run on.
I got it when it was free and what I mean is after installing windows 8 and adding it the key for windows changes to the media pack key, and I have 2 media pack keys and 1 8 pro and was wondering if it was possible to have 3 installations of windows 8 (2 with MC and 1 normal pro)
Hi there
Why not try it and see -- Backup the relevant systems first so if it doesn't work then you can restore without problems.
W8 installs very quickly.
You could probably do a Windows install in around 10 - 15 mins -- you don't need to add any applications to see if the OS boots and works properly.
I think the problem you might encounter is that W8 requires you to enter the product key at install time and as soon as you are on the Internet it will validate the key -- so it's likely the duplicate key condition will be recognized -- except in the rare case where the hardware is IDENTICAL -- although even here some bioses have a serial number built in so even on the same hardware the licensing servers will be able to check -- I think currently though that only is checked in "BIOS Protected mode" so you could switch that off in the BIOS settings.
W7 gave 30 days before activation is required but W8 seems to want immediate activation which is where the problem will probably arise.