As of October 30, 2015, the Windows 8 and 8.1 Pro Pack (which upgraded Windows 8 Home or 8.1 Home to Windows 8 Pro or 8.1 Pro, with Media Center) and Media Pack (which added Media Center to Windows 8 Pro or 8.1 Pro) are no longer available for purchase from Microsoft. Previously purchased feature pack licenses will still work, and valid feature. Dec 24, 2012 A couple of months back, we brought to you the news that Media Center pack is available for free for a limited time for legitimate Windows 8 Pro users. The offer will last till January 31, 2013, and will require an activation check on your copy of Windows 8 before you will be provided a valid license key.
Windows Media Center (64-bit) Windows Media Center (32-bit) Download the appropriate installer, depending on whether you’re using a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 10. Just click the “Download through your browser” link on the download page. Step Two: Install Windows Media Center. Internet TV for Windows Media Center 4.2.2 is free to download from our software library. Our built-in antivirus checked this download and rated it as virus free. Commonly, this program's installer has the following filenames: asfindxr.exe, Television.exe, tagasf.exe, rundll32.exe and PY_Uninstal.exe etc.
All versions of the Windows 8 operating system ship with Windows Media Player but not with Windows Media Center. That's relevant because Media Player in Windows 8 can't play DVD movies anymore. While you have a lot of free third party alternatives for that, like VLC Media Player or SMPlayer, you may want to know about the only official solution to add DVD playback to Windows 8. While Media Center is not included in the operating system by default, it is available as an add-on for a price.
If you have the basic Windows 8, you must upgrade to Windows 8 Pro before you can even use Windows Media Center. Microsoft is offering up a special upgrade fee for those looking to jump to the Pro Edition—$39.99 to download and $69.99 for the shipped version.
Windows Media Center Download For Windows 8 Free
As part of the promotions to get Windows 8 going, Microsoft is giving away free Media Center product keys that you can use to add Media Center to your version of windows 8. Here are the important facts about the offer:
- Every customer is eligible for up to five licenses, provided you have access to that many versions of Windows 8.
- To get a product key, simply enter an email address you want the product key to be sent to. Microsoft won't ask for a valid Windows 8 product key on the form or any other identifiable information about you.
- The update turns Windows 8 Pro into Windows 8 Media Center Pack
- The product key will be emailed to you. It currently seems to take a couple of hours tops before you get the key.
- The offer is valid until January 31, 2013 at which point it expires.
Download Windows 8.1 Media Center
To add the Windows Media Center Pack product key to your copy of Windows 8 do the following:
- If you are not on the start screen press the Windows key to go there.
- Enter features on the screen and switch to Settings on the right.
- Select Add features to Windows 8 here and accept the UAC prompt that pops up.
- Select I already have a product key
- The PC will restart after the installation.
Microsoft is basically giving away a free copy of the Windows 8 Media Center Pack to all customers who buy a PC with Windows 8 Pro or purchase Windows 8 Pro separately until January 31, 2013. If that is not a great deal, what is?
Update: It appears that only Windows 8 Pro owners get a free upgrade to Windows Media Center Media Pack. Windows 8 owners need to purchase an upgrade to the Windows 8 Pro Pack which is available for $69.99 during the promotional period. The upgrade includes Windows 8 Pro and Media Center.
AdvertisementWindows 8 doesn’t include Media Center, but you can install it as a separate download pack. And Microsoft is offering it for free until January 31st.
Windows 8 Pro Media Center Pack Download Latest
Windows 8 doesn’t include Media Center like its predecessor, but you can install it as a separate download. And the grooviest part is that Microsoft letting you download it for free until January 31st.
Update: Windows 8.1 has reached the end of mainstream support. According to the company:
Windows 8.1 reached the end of Mainstream Support on January 9, 2018, and will reach end of Extended Support on January 10, 2023. With the general availability of Windows 8.1, customers on Windows 8 had until January 12, 2016, to move to Windows 8.1 to remain supported.
Note: You’ll need to be running Windows 8 Pro to install the Media Center Pack. Earlier this year, we covered how to install Windows Media Center on the Release Preview, and while the steps are essentially the same, there are some differences to note.
Get Windows Media Center Pack Product Key
To get Windows Media Center (WMC) for free, head to Microsoft’s special offer site and enter your email address. You’ll get a message telling you the key will arrive within 24 hours and to check your junk folder for it just in case. In my case, it took several hours for Microsoft to email me the product key. I’m not sure why it takes so long, but keep this in mind when you set this up. You might not be able to get it done in one sitting.
Install Windows 8 Media Center Pack
After you get your key, there is a couple of ways to install the Media Center Pack. Use the keyboard shortcutWindows Key + W to bring up Settings Search and type:add features.
Then click the icon under the search results.
Alternately, from the Desktop, select System from the Windows 8 Power User menu.
Then click “Get more features with a new edition of Windows.”
Either way, you’ll get to the following screen. Click “I already have a Product key.”
Then copy and paste in the key Microsoft emailed you. The key will be confirmed. Then click Next.
Next, agree to the license terms and click Add Features.
Windows Media Center will be installed on your computer. Keep in mind that your system will reboot at least once during the process.
After installation is complete, you’ll find the Media Center tile on the Start screen.
To access it easier from the Desktop, pin the icon to the Taskbar.
Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack Free Download
Now you can go through and set it up. By the way, you can still stream WMC content to Xbox 360 from Windows 8.
Hopefully, you’re able to get the Media Center pack while Microsoft has the free offer – available until January 31st, 2013. After that, it looks like the pack will cost you $9.99 – of course, that could always change.