Microsoft decided to offer the Windows Media Center Pack for free

Oct 25, 2012 11:13 GMT  ·  By
Windows Media Center can be deployed via the "Add features to Windows 8" option
   Windows Media Center can be deployed via the "Add features to Windows 8" option

Microsoft has already confirmed that Windows Media Center won’t be included in the new Windows 8 operating system, forcing users who want this piece of software to spend some extra money.

Now that Steve Ballmer is getting ready to unveil the new OS, Microsoft has decided to offer Windows Media Center for free, but only for a limited time.

“If your PC is running Windows 8 Pro and you'd like to get Windows 8 Media Center Pack so you can watch and record live TV with Windows Media Center, you can take advantage of the following special offer: for a limited time, get Windows 8 Media Center Pack for free,” Microsoft says on its website.

The campaign will debut tomorrow on October 26 and will run through January 31, 2013. Only one key will be sent for each email address, Microsoft explained.

“To receive a free product key and get Windows 8 Media Center Pack, provide a valid email address in the space provided. Once you receive your free product key through the email address you provided, follow the instructions for adding Windows 8 Media Center Pack that appear later on this page,” the instructions read.

Microsoft will unveil the new OS later today, with the product scheduled to hit shelves tomorrow morning. Windows 8 will be aimed not only at the traditional desktop computer, but also at tablets and mobile phones.

Windows RT, the company’s very own OS designed to run on tablet devices, will debut on Microsoft’s Surface, one of the products that will be launched today alongside the new OS.