Activate using Key Management Service

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Applies to

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8.ane
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows Server 2012
  • Windows Server 2008 R2

Looking for retail activation?

  • Get Help Activating Microsoft Windows 10
  • Get Help Activating Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8.1

At that place are three possible scenarios for volume activation of Windows 10 or Windows Server 2012 R2 past using a Central Management Service (KMS) host:

  • Host KMS on a estimator running Windows 10
  • Host KMS on a computer running Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Host KMS on a computer running an earlier version of Windows

Check out Windows 10 Book Activation Tips.

Fundamental Management Service in Windows x

Installing a KMS host fundamental on a figurer running Windows 10 allows yous to activate other computers running Windows 10 against this KMS host and earlier versions of the client operating organization, such equally Windows 8.one or Windows 7. Clients locate the KMS server by using resource records in DNS, so some configuration of DNS may exist required. This scenario can be beneficial if your organization uses volume activation for clients and MAK-based activation for a smaller number of servers. To enable KMS functionality, a KMS key is installed on a KMS host; so, the host is activated over the Net or by telephone using Microsoft activation services.

Configure KMS in Windows 10

To actuate, use the slmgr.vbs control. Open up an elevated command prompt and run one of the following commands:

  • To install the KMS key, type slmgr.vbs /ipk <KmsKey>.
  • To activate online, type slmgr.vbs /ato.
  • To actuate by telephone, follow these steps:
    1. Run slmgr.vbs /dti and confirm the installation ID.
    2. Call Microsoft Licensing Activation Centers worldwide telephone numbers and follow the voice prompts to enter the installation ID that y'all obtained in stride one on your phone.
    3. Follow the phonation prompts and write down the responded 48-digit confirmation ID for Os activation.
    4. Run slmgr.vbs /atp \<confirmation ID\>.

For more information, see the data for Windows 7 in Deploy KMS Activation.

Key Management Service in Windows Server 2012 R2

Installing a KMS host key on a computer running Windows Server allows you to activate computers running Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows x, Windows 8.one, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.

Note

You cannot install a client KMS key into the KMS in Windows Server.

This scenario is commonly used in larger organizations that do not notice the overhead of using a server a burden.

Note

If you receive error 0xC004F015 when trying to activate Windows ten Enterprise, see KB 3086418.

Configure KMS in Windows Server 2012 R2

  1. Sign in to a computer running Windows Server 2012 R2 with an account that has local administrative credentials.

  2. Launch Server Manager.

  3. Add together the Book Activation Services function, as shown in Figure 4.

    Adding the Volume Activation Services role in Server Manager.

    Effigy 4. Adding the Volume Activation Services role in Server Director

  4. When the function installation is complete, click the link to launch the Volume Activation Tools (Figure v).

    Launching the Volume Activation Tools.

    Effigy 5. Launching the Volume Activation Tools

  5. Select the Key Management Service (KMS) option, and specify the reckoner that will act as the KMS host (Figure half dozen). This tin can be the same computer on which you installed the role or another computer. For example, it tin can be a customer computer running Windows 10.

    Configuring the computer as a KMS host.

    Effigy 6. Configuring the computer equally a KMS host

  6. Install your KMS host key by typing it in the text box, and so click Commit (Figure seven).

    Installing your KMS host key.

    Figure seven. Installing your KMS host key

  7. If asked to confirm replacement of an existing key, click Aye.

  8. Subsequently the product fundamental is installed, y'all must activate it. Click Next (Figure 8).

    Activating the software.

    Effigy eight. Activating the software

    The KMS key can be activated online or by phone. See Figure 9.

    Choosing to activate online.

    Figure 9. Choosing to activate online

Now that the KMS host is configured, it volition brainstorm to mind for activation requests. Even so, information technology will non activate clients successfully until the activation threshold is met.

Verifying the configuration of Central Direction Service

Yous can verify KMS volume activation from the KMS host server or from the client computer. KMS book activation requires a minimum threshold of 25 computers before activation requests volition be processed. The verification process described here will increase the activation count each time a client estimator contacts the KMS host, only unless the activation threshold is reached, the verification will take the grade of an mistake message rather than a confirmation bulletin.

Notation

If you configured Agile Directory-based activation before configuring KMS activation, you must use a client figurer that will non first try to activate itself by using Agile Directory-based activation. Yous could utilise a workgroup figurer that is non joined to a domain or a computer running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

To verify that KMS volume activation works, consummate the post-obit steps:

  1. On the KMS host, open up the event log and confirm that DNS publishing is successful.

  2. On a client reckoner, open a Control Prompt window, type Slmgr.vbs /ato, and so press ENTER.

    The /ato command causes the operating organization to endeavor activation by using whichever key has been installed in the operating organisation. The response should show the license state and detailed Windows version data.

  3. On a customer computer or the KMS host, open an elevated Command Prompt window, type Slmgr.vbs /dlv, and then press ENTER.

    The /dlv control displays the detailed licensing information. The response should render an error that states that the KMS activation count is too low. This confirms that KMS is operation correctly, even though the client has not been activated.

For more information almost the use and syntax of slmgr.vbs, run across Slmgr.vbs Options.

Key Management Service in earlier versions of Windows

If you lot take already established a KMS infrastructure in your organization for an earlier version of Windows, yous may want to continue using that infrastructure to activate computers running Windows ten or Windows Server 2012 R2. Your existing KMS host must exist running Windows 7 or later. To upgrade your KMS host, complete the following steps:

  1. Download and install the correct update for your current KMS host operating organisation. Restart the estimator as directed.
  2. Asking a new KMS host key from the Volume Licensing Service Center.
  3. Install the new KMS host key on your KMS host.
  4. Actuate the new KMS host key past running the slmgr.vbs script.

For detailed instructions, encounter Update that enables Windows 8.i and Windows 8 KMS hosts to activate a afterward version of Windows and Update that enables Windows vii and Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS hosts to activate Windows ten.

See also

  • Book Activation for Windows 10