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Upgrade to Windows 8 Media Center

The problem I have experienced while to trying to upgrade to the media centre is the product keys I had purchased from BestBuy wouldn't work. The message I got was the keys were not good. I went back to bestBuy and they replaced one of them and still the same problem. Only after the fact did I found out that Microsoft was offering the upgrade free which I now have for one of the computers I bought, I still have the second and need the upgrade for that. BestBuy is still selling the upgrade seperately for $69 here in Canada and for some reason Microsoft does not reconize the product keys in the packages being sold. Talk about a rip off from BestBuy,

 

Jim, Calgary

Answer
Answer

A lot of confusion, but what you purchased can only be used to upgrade Windows 8 (as opposed to Windows 8 Pro). Since you ALREADY had PRO, it was not a valid upgrade. Return the purchases to Best Buy who sold you the wrong stuff. Get the free keys via email (it may take up to a week).

Here is what I received from Microsoft:

 

"

·         Windows 8 Pro Pack DOES include Media Center, can be used to upgrade Windows 8

·         Windows 8 Pro, DOES NOT include Media Center and is used to upgrade Windows 7 and earlier PCs

·         Windows 8 Media Center Pack DOES include Media Center, and can be used to upgrade an existing Windows 8 Pro PC to include Media Center

I highly suspect that there is likely some SKU confusion at play here and resulting in some customers purchasing the wrong product. Reading the thread it looks like the customer already had Windows 8 Pro and then bought the Pro Pack.  The issue here is that you can’t upgrade Windows 8 Pro to Pro Pack.  If a customer already has Windows 8 Pro and wants Media Center, they should obtain the Media Center Pack available at Windows.com.    The Media Center Pack is currently offered on a complimentary basis during the promo period for customers to register on windows.com, or alternatively they can purchase for $9.99 through “Add Features” in Windows 8.

If you read the BestBuy product page they provide the following note: Please note: The Windows 8 Pro Pack can only be used to upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro. It is not designed to be used with any other version of Windows. "

 

 

 

Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
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Question Info

Last updated February 3, 2021 Views 4,952 Applies to: