Windows 8 Upgrade + Free Pro Pack (Media Center Upgrade) = Frustrated long time Microsoft Customer and supporter

I assumed you purchased a product key (for each of those computers). You can't use 1 $40 dollar upgrade and upgrade multiple computers. Each computer must have its own separate unique product key (license).

1 computer, 1 license.

http://www.windows.com/buy

Yes, you might be prompted to go through the install routine with just the 5 mb web installer, but you don't actually have to do the download, just make the acquisition and the product key will be presented to you in the Upgrade Assistant (you will also have a copy sent to your email address).

Hi Andre,

Yes, I purchased 4 licenses for the machines that was to upgrade. The problem is the Media Center. I know that there probably is a good reason that they did not have it in Windows 8, but it was the principle of the offer that I took advantage of and did what was needed; then to get no keys. I did not see where it said anything about installing Win8 first before you get the keys. I should have printed the page. Remember folks "If it ain't in writing it ain't". They kindly suggested that I can purchase the Pro Pack from the Winows App Store. Not going to happen.

I too purchased the Windows 8 upgrade with the free Windows Media Center offer. I unfortunately had some issues after installing windows 8 and my computer crashed so I was unable to install the Windows Media Center before the Jan 31st deadline, so now I it appears I cannot install it even though I have the product key for it. Go figure I upgrade to Windows 8, have major issues that cause my computer to crash as a result of upgrading (had no trouble before upgrading, completed the compatibility run and everything checked out so before anyone says anything all things were A-OK before upgrading) and now I am told I need to pay another 9.99 to purchase Media Center. Somehow that seems like a rip off since it was no fault of mine that I could not install the media center free before the deadline (keeping in mind a did get a product key for it). I just know I will not upgrade to another Windows OS until I absolutely have to and even then, I may just switch to Apple.

Hello mlg63,

I was unaware of the installation date requirement. I am just going to chalk this experience up to not readng the fine print. The money that I spent for the upgrade will be a cheap class, on how not to buy something before reading all of the hitches involved. I will probably not upgrade my machines since not only is it OS that is upgraded but most of the software that I own has to be upgraded as well. So a cheap $40 upgrade could end up costing me hundreds of dollars in a short order. Media center at $10 won't break me either. So I will quit whining about it. I thank everyone who responded.

Kelly,

I think that it is a painful task to upgrade any machine. Not only do you have to worry about the hardware but the largest investment is your software that you purchased, which may or may not work. I do IT work for a couple of larger companies and find that when upgrading server software there are issues to think about for the proprietary software running on such servers. This software alone can run into thousands of dollars.

Hence the reason that I image the drives before doing an upgrade. At least I can go back to the old system should things go bad.

I agree about the install time limit and the feeling about being ripped off. Although how can one get ripped off when no money exchanged hands? It seems that Microsoft has a way of irritating its customers with each new version of OS in one way or the other. It really does not have to be that way, but it is something to be expected. I have been using computers since 1986 when I got my first DOS machine with two floppy drives in it. I was going to get into the 21st century and purchase my first smartphone, I was leaning really hard to a Windows phone, but think I will keep my flip phone for awhile until I decide between Apple, Android or Windows.

Don't lose faith. I installed Windows 8 on a laptop that I have and it is very good. I had to cheat however and install the Classic Shell just to have my rubber crutch start button. I talked my brother into buying the upgrade on January 26th and we put it on his daughters Vista laptop. It was a real dog before the upgrade, now it is snappy and works well. He is going to buy a battery for it now.

Well to start off with, if anyone would have read more about Windows 8 they would have learned that it was going to ship without Media Center. I found this out and still bought Windows 8 for all of my computers. For a short time Mocrosft did give away a free product key for the Pro pack features, which I took advantage of. I now have Windows 8 and Media Center on all of my Computers and it only cost me $70 for one and the others for free.

When ever a new OS comes out, do some research on what features it will have and the one they will take away, this way you won't be disappointed when something is not there. I also would like to say that Windows 8 is as good as Windows 7, but there are some things Windows 8 won't do. One of them is that it does not like some BluRay players or motherboards. So research this also before running out and buying that new and shiney OS.

You are right. Research everything about the OS before jumping in with both feet. I have one machine with Windows 8 on it simply because I support Microsoft products for my job. So yes I should have been the first one to do the research on this matter. In looking for a new smartphone the same applies to them as well. I have not made up my mind yet on what OS to purchase there either. With the last experience, I will step softly this time.

Regarding Windows 8.... It works well, seems fast. I have not loaded all of the software on it yet, and you will find programs that will not work. So the cost of the OS is just the beginning. Upgrading all of your software that won't run on it costs money too.