Windows 8 ... Info and deals that may still work but are past their expiration dates YMMV Professional is available for $69.99 as an Educational purchase ongoing

So when you activate the media center key it changes the Windows 8 pro key? What an end user documentation nightmare.

Quote from BilboFraggins : I don't see what the fuss is about usability in Windows 8. I've been using it for 3 weeks now on Core 2 Quad machine I built in 2007. Had no driver incompatibility thus far. I don't miss the Start Menu at all, perhaps because I use keyboard shortcuts, task bar shortcuts and the command menu more often. Not much different in Office 2013 either. There are plenty of tutorials on how to bring back the Start Menu and other Windows 7 features. If anything, an upgrade this cheap ($40 that is now expired compared to $70+ for an OEM Windows 7 Pro; $15 if you are able to get the desktop/laptop upgrade offer). is a no-brainer. I can't recall a Microsoft OS upgrade this subsidized, you either coughed up the price or got stuck with an older version. If anything, I think resistance to change is the biggest barrier to Windows 8.

8 runs much better than 7, faster boot times and just better performance overall, I wasn't spending any amount of time in the old start menu as it was. the Metro Start menu gives you a screen of shortcuts, really convenient once you play with it.

That said, I hated it at first, couldn't understand it wtf MS was thinking, Played with it for a week, and it works great.

Quote from htin : how can you get the combined product key?

you can use "Belarc Advisor"

Microsoft is ridiculous making us pay for media center. Win 7 is fine by me, streams perfectly to my xbox media center app and its free.

Quote from spydorbyte : If you want it to look and act like Win7, I'd stick with Win7, there's no reason to upgrade. Win7 is still an excellent OS. For those who want the new interface, Win8 is great also.

Agree, that if you are using Win 7 and it works fine, no need to upgrade. If you plan to build your own PC soon, may be you can get a upgrade license just so you have one ready. Otherwise, just wait until you buy a new PC in the future and they will come with Win 8.

Quote from boltman2007 : Programs which will boot to desktop, bypass Metro completely, and give Start button functionality: StartIsBack - $2 license: http://www.startisback.com/ Start8 - $5 license: http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ ClassicShell - Free: http://www.classicshell.net/ ADD AERO back into 8 http://www.askvg.com/how-to-enabl...ows-8-rtm/

I use StartisBack and everything is pretty much like Win 7 except faster boot, less memory usage, longer battery life. StartisBack is not perfect but close enough.

Quote from MozartA : Agree, that if you are using Win 7 and it works fine, no need to upgrade. If you plan to build your own PC soon, may be you can get a upgrade license just so you have one ready. Otherwise, just wait until you buy a new PC in the future and they will come with Win 8.

Well said.
I'm in the build soon/ looking for a cheap OS category.

Quote from BilboFraggins : If anything, I think resistance to change is the biggest barrier to Windows 8.

I can deal with windows 8, but I don't like it. that is just my personal preference.

I'm a computer consultant and help home and business users all the time, they don't want to learn a new OS/User Interface, they just want to run their programs.

why a company would change a huge portion of their User Interface , right at the same time that so many people are switching to Mac's, i don't understand. now a mac is more like windows XP/Vista/7 than windows 8 is.


anyway, you just do not understand the average computer user. they are using a computer because of a need to run a program, email or web surfing, they don't want to learn the OS.


A person should not have to re-learn an OS, just to turn it off. [ come on, tell me really, why did they have to hide the Shutdown button????? ]

what great reason is there to have gotten rid of the START button??? what did it hurt? they could have the Metro interface on the main screen still, but why did they have to get rid of the START button form the desktop?

Can we upgrade from Windows 8 home to Pro for $15 too?

IF your a student check your school PC store, mine has win 8 pro for 19.99

Windows 8 Pro Upgrade 64bit - University Stud/Fac/Staff Personal Purchase

$19.99
Current Cart

To everyone one who is complaining about Windows 8 -- TRY USING THE KEYBOARD TO NAVIGATE. WINDOWS HAS HAD KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS SINCE WINDOWS 3 (yes that's before Win95)
Windows 8 requires the same number of (or less) keypresses to do what you do in Windows 7. Take 10 minutes and teach yourself.
http://www.computerhope.com/shortcut/windows.htm

Try Alt+Tab. That means hold down "Alt" (with your thumb) and simultaneously press Tab with another finger. See what happens.

The "Windows key" is the one on the lower row with the Windows icon on it.
Press it... type any letter, the first letter of the program you are looking for.
Want to change some settings? Type Windows key + W and enter your term.

Can't find something? -- right-click to bring up the "context" menu.

Hover your mouse in the lower left corner, and right click on the "Start" icon... oh goodies.

Quote from stahleyp : Can we upgrade from Windows 8 home to Pro for $15 too?

I havethe Exact same question. I bought a PC with Windows 8 (not pro, just home) like 2 months ago. would love to upgrade to pro to get media center. I actually already got a key for free media center before I realized you needed Pro first, not just the standard version, to load it onto.

Quote from stahleyp : Can we upgrade from Windows 8 home to Pro for $15 too?

NO only 7

Quote from oldlady : To everyone one who is complaining about Windows 8 -- TRY USING THE KEYBOARD TO NAVIGATE. WINDOWS HAS HAD KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS SINCE WINDOWS 3 (yes that's before Win95) Windows 8 requires the same number of (or less) keypresses to do what you do in Windows 7. Take 10 minutes and teach yourself. http://www.computerhope.com/shortcut/windows.htm The "Windows key" is the one on the lower row with the Windows icon on it. Press it... type any letter, the first letter of the program you are looking for. Want to change some settings? Type Windows key + W and enter your term. Can't find something? -- right-click to bring up the "context" menu. Hover your mouse in the lower left corner, and right click on the "Start" icon... oh goodies.

Also just left click ZERO pixel (Bottom right desktop) to get access to Control panel and lots of other items including search for all programs.

Quote from scottsiefker : So when you activate the media center key it changes the Windows 8 pro key? What an end user documentation nightmare.

If the user wants to reinstall the official method is to reinstall using your Pro key and then add mediacenter again using the media center key. That's what I'll be doing probably.

Modifying the ISO to support installing Media Center takes some time. Unless someone releases an automatic ISO conversion tool I might just not do it.