Oct 26, 2012 - Windows Media Center isn't included with Windows 8, but for a limited time. The Windows 8 Pro Pack in order to get Windows Media Center. I did not download Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack when Microsoft was giving it away for free, and now it's impossible to find anywhere. Just wondering if this has happened to any of you. I recently upgraded to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8 with no problem. Then I realized that the Media Center Pack is missing (when I looked under Systems). So I clicked on 'Add Features to Windows' and put in the activation code that I got back when they gave out free Media Center Pack. Then after reboot, my computer suddenly says 'Windows is not activated' and apparently the old Media Center product key overwrote the original Windows 8 product key. And I have tried my old Windows 8 product key and it doesn't work anymore. I already called Windows product support today but he wasn't very helpful. I am gonna call tomorrow to the activation center and ask for help there. The thing is, there are many kinds of Win8 keys. Leaving Pro out of it, the FOUR types at play here are: Win 8 Win 8 Media Center Win 8.1 Win 8.1 Media Center As you discovered, the installation of Media Center overwrites the base Win 8[.1] key. So in trying to fix the botched upgrade you did this: Win 8 Media Center >>> Win 8.1 >>> Win 8 Media Center And ended up having a Win 8.1 install with a Win 8 Media Center key. Congratulations on finding a bug:D Activation should be able to get it sorted by giving you a Win 8.1 Media Center key, but there's still the issue of your 'missing' Media Center. Are you certain it was installed before the upgrade? Joshingyou -- I have a similar but different problem. I updated from Win 8 to 8.1 just fine (I thought). All apps and programs including Media Center are still working. I got a message that I needed to activate Windows. The indication was that the product key, which was the Media Center Pack key, was invalid. So I tried the original Win 8 product key. I got this message when I used that original key: 'That key can’t be used to activate this edition of Windows. Please try a different key.' So I decided to activate using the phone call method -- I typed slui 4 in the Run box (WindowsKey + R). I phoned the USA phone number, provided all 63 of the necessary numbers and then the voice on the other end of the line told me: 'I’m sorry; we cannot complete this transaction as our records do not recognize this as a valid product.' Then on one of the wpcentral.com forums I ran across this: 'Open up IE and type this into the address bar: ms-windows-store:WindowsUpgrade'.which I did and was brought to a page to download Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center. I don’t know if my original download page mentioned Media Center or not. I clicked 'Download', was taken to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media. Download thumbnail which was incomplete -- it had only a little 'x' in it -- I clicked Download -- got 'This app wasn’t installed – view details.' The details info said, 'The Windows 8.1 Preview isn’t available right now. Please try again later.' -- Anyone else run into this particular scenario? I have the same problem. Its incredibly irritating and whats most surprising is that this has been the only thread or information about this issue that I've been able to find. You'd think this issue would be a little bit more known. I also called microsoft support and unfortunately the technician didn't seem to know. He stated that the media center key was only valid up until the promotion (jan'13?). I'm going to wait a couple more days after which I'm going to have to reinstall 8 and then 8.1 without media center. I tried this last wk, but this did not work for me. Did you input a key that you bought or a free one? And does anyone know where to purchase a key?Yes a Free Key from the MS Promotion Last Year. Here are the steps what I did: 1. Install windows 8.1 with your 8.1 Key (used my dreamspark premium key) 2. Add the MC feature with your free key and reboot 3. Now windows will alert that your OS isn't activated although it was before the reboot. Go to settings and put a new product key in. Here I used my free MC Key and I could activate it online successfully. Hope I could help you guys. I called Microsoft (1-800-642-7676) today for help with my Win 8.1 that wouldn't activate. I selected the 'Installation' 'Windows 8.1' (as I recall) options and was connected to a technician. I explained my problem. After he did a couple of minutes of research he asked to remotely control my computer, which I allowed him to do. He made some comment about me still being in the warranty period so this $99 service would be free today. He tried two or three different activation codes before he hit on one that worked, but was ultimately able to activate my Win 8.1. Naruto manga free online. He said the keys I had wouldn't work because they were Win 8 keys.
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