📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses how users are obtaining the free Windows Media Center add-on for Windows 8 Pro, with most experiencing delays of several hours to a day before receiving their activation keys via email. Several users share their personal timelines and troubleshooting tips, like checking spam folders, while one user questions whether multiple licenses can be obtained for different PCs using the same email address, with others suggesting separate email accounts are needed. Overall, participants express patience and provide practical advice for acquiring the feature during the promotional period.

Mike

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Add features - Microsoft Windows

At the above link, Microsoft is offering the Windows Media Center add-on pack to Windows 8 Professonal for free until January 2013. You can get a product key and activation instructions there. This feature appears as an optional upgrade to Windows 8 Pro under Control Panel -> All Control Panel Items -> System -> "Get more features with a new edition of Windows" for $9.99 USD.
 

Medico

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Evidently keys are not being sent yet. I have requested a key twice on different email address. Nothing yet.
 

Mike

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This is true. It is possible the system has been overwhelmed or not put into effect yet. However, reserving a key(s) now would probably be a good idea.

Best,
 

Medico

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On another forum I moderate some have received their keys some have not. The ones who have gotten them sent a request yesterday.

Edit: About 2 minutes after I wrote this my key arrived. In process of installing.
 

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JerseyPat

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Hang in there. It took mine about 6 hours to get to me. But I did get it and used it and now have media center.
 

Mike

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Hang in there. It took mine about 6 hours to get to me. But I did get it and used it and now have media center.

Confirmed. After about 6-12 hours, check your spam/junk mail folder as well. The subject will be: "Your product key for Windows Media Center Pack"
 

davehc

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I got mine in reasonably good time. The install needed a couple of automatic reboots and took a while but all now 100%
 

Mitchell_A

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It took close to 24 hours to get mine, the website also said I should expect a wait time up to 24 hours.
 

VegasGuy

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I have 2 PCs both running Windows 8 Pro, both licenses were bought under the same address. I wonder how I get this for both? I guess I'll try submitting for a second key when I get the first one?
 

Medico

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I believe you have to request the second key using a second email address.
 

Solution

Drew

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For some it has been as much as 48 hrs for the WMC Key to arrive.

Cheers,
Drew
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TDBke

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I have 2 PCs both running Windows 8 Pro, both licenses were bought under the same address. I wonder how I get this for both? I guess I'll try submitting for a second key when I get the first one?
You have to request the seconds free license with a diffirent email address. Otherwise you'll simply receive the same key "again" as the first time...
 

Saltgrass

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Website now says up to 72 hours for key arrival. I got my first key, a couple of weeks ago. My second key (different e-mail address) is currently taking 6 days and no sign of it so far. Reapplied 3 days ago for second key.

I got my second copy of Windows 8 from Newegg. Considering the article I read about Media Center Keys validating certain types of installs, I wonder if there is a problem getting keys for Windows 8 installs not purchased and verifiable through Microsoft.

Oh, and using the same WMC key for a second install does not seem to be a good idea. Someone said you could call Microsoft, but it will deactivate the current Windows 8 install when used on a second computer.