Time Bombed or not?

[Trouble]

Just receive an email reminder from microsoft.... actually three email reminders, one for each media center key.

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[TD]This is a reminder that you must activate your free Windows 8 Media Center Pack product key** by January 31, 2013:

YG77J-*****-9HVJN-*****-WHRFQ

Follow these steps to add Windows 8 Media Center Pack to your PC running Windows 8 Pro: [/TD]
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[TD]

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you’re using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, and then click Search).
2. Enter add features in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.
3. Tap or click Add features to Windows 8.
4. Then tap or click I already have a product key.
5. Enter the product key, and then click Next.
6. Read the license terms, select the check box to accept the license terms, and then click Add features.

[/TD]
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[TD]Your PC will restart automatically and Windows Media Center will be available for use. [/TD]
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So if I'm reading this correctly, the free media center upgrade keys will no longer be useable after the 31st? So if you have to reinstall windows8 after that time, you will no longer be able to include the media center as an added feature?
Or perhaps, once it has been activated it behaves like a normal retail key without issues.
Another good argument I suppose for system images.

 

[Corrine]

Yes, that is when the free Media Center upgrade key expires. From Add features - Microsoft Windows

** Windows 8 Media Center Pack is available at no charge for a limited time only through this promotional page on Windows.com. If you obtain Windows 8 Media Center Pack through any other location fees might apply. Offer valid from October 26, 2012, until January 31, 2013, and is limited to one product key per email address. You qualify for this promotion if your PC is running Windows 8 Pro. Additional hardware may be required to watch and record live TV. You must provide a valid email address to receive your Windows 8 Media Center Pack product key. Your product key must be activated no later than January 31, 2013. Microsoft will only contact you at the email address you provide to send you your product key and to remind you when the activation period for your product key is ending. Catalysis Corporation is a third-party company we use to collect subscription information and process the delivery of these emails. If you purchase a new PC with Windows 8 preinstalled and you later upgrade that PC with Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8 Media Center Pack, a volume license edition, or a retail edition, you will no longer be able to install apps that are provided exclusively from your PC manufacturer through the Windows Store. Get the full details on our special offers.

I believe that refresh retains the activation information. From another source:

On the Start screen, type Activation. The search finds one item in the Settings category, "Windows Activation". Click that. In the dialog, it should say "Windows is activated", the Current Edition line should say Windows 8 Pro with Media Center", and the Current Product Key line should show the last five characters of the key.

I've inquired whether anyone knows what would happen with a complete reinstall rather than refresh.

 

[Trouble]

I could see the offer itself expiring. That is to say.... no more free Media Center keys. But the key itself, I would have thought would be valid regardless. Typically when I actually purchase a software product it doesn't spoil or go bad sitting on the shelf. And while I realize this was not an actual purchase it still seems odd that the key itself would just expire.

 

[Corrine]

I understand what you're saying about software purchases. The same does not apply to the special US$39.99 offer for a Windows 8 Pro update. Although the upgrade price expires January 31, 2013, the license does not.

Conversely, the Media Center key will only expire if it is not activated by January 31, 2013. I already received replies to my inquiry. Although one person suggesting no problem as long as you keep Steve Ballmer's phone number on speed dial, I don't think that would be helpful. However, the other reply, by a Microsoft MVP who has been very helpful to others who wanted to confirm they had the key properly activated replied that "any key activated before Jan. 31, 2013 should still work if you need to do a Refresh, Reset, or a re-install."

 

[Corrine]

See Ed's article, published this morning (bold added): Deadlines loom for cheap Windows 8 upgrades and Media Center Pack keys | Ed Bott:

Does that warning mean your Media Center Pack key will no longer work beginning February 1?

I checked with a Microsoft spokesperson and was told that the keys will continue to work after the deadline passes, and that they will work later if you need to reinstall Windows. The e-mail messages are mostly a reminder to upgrade, I was told.

 

[Trouble]

Just something to be aware of.... It would seem that Mr. Bott has updated his article.

Update: A Microsoft spokesperson contacted me with additional information on this issue. Yes, you must activate those copies of the Media Center Pack by January 31. It’s possible (even likely) that the activation servers will continue to honor those keys for some period of time after January 31, but at some point in the near future an unactivated Media Center Pack key that was issued as part of this promotion will not be honored. (They will be usable for reinstallations, however.) Keys that are paid for, either before or after the deadline, will not expire.