What is "Add features, Windows 8?"

[corkyg]

Been evaluating Win 8 for about a week now. With Stardocks Start8, it becomes quite useful.

Browsing in Control panel, I find an entry for "Add features to Windows 8." This opens a screen where you have two choices - need key to activate, or already activated. When the latter is selected, another screen asks for a key. It will not accept the key used to activate Windows 8 Pro.

I then searched the web and found this Microsoft explanation:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/add-features-frequently-asked-questions

Apparently, this replaces "Anytime Upgrade." And a separate key is required. My question is, what benefit will this provide and why is the explanation so nebulous?

 

[Mem]

I used "add features" to add my WMC key to Win8 Pro ie so it can download and install WMC .


As you probably know can get a free WMC until Jan for Win8 Pro.

 

[corkyg]

I used "add features" to add my WMC key to Win8 Pro ie so it can download and install WMC. As you probably know can get a free WMC until Jan for Win8 Pro.

I heard that from another source as well - he gave me this link:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/download-windows-8-media-center-pack-free

If that's all itis, I can pass - no need for WMC these days.

 

[JackMDS]

Right now it came with the Media Center issue.

Until the end of the year the Media center is free.

Then people will get it through the Add in feature for $9.99 on the Online store.

In general, it just a new way to get available for pay upgrades through the On line store services.

 

[corkyg]

Thanks, Jack. I did it and it installed. Why don't they explain it more clearly? Why is that not available in TechNet?

 

[JackMDS]

I guess everyone emulates what Apple does for years.

That means announcing what is going On from Here into the Future without explanations or contrasting it with the Past.

 

[Dahak]

Thanks, Jack. I did it and it installed. Why don't they explain it more clearly? Why is that not available in TechNet?

if you are talking about WMC, is pretty much it has been depreciated and not being worked on / updated in any fashion. It's pretty much wmc from win7

 

[ViRGE]

if you are talking about WMC, is pretty much it has been depreciated and not being worked on / updated in any fashion. It's pretty much wmc from win7

The Media pack also contains the codecs and functionality necessary for DVD playback and CableCARD support. Microsoft is saving money by not including a license for things like MPEG-2, CSS, and CableCARD in default Windows installs; DVD support in particular is apparently relatively expensive even with the kind of volume MS does.

 

[SandEagle]

WMC

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/feature-packs

 

[bigrash]

I used it to add Windows Media Center. Surprised it wasn't included in the Pro version.