VAMT Refresh 2

windows/deployment/volume-activation/activate-using-key-management-service-vamt.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ author: frankroj
 manager: aaroncz
 ms.author: frankroj
 ms.localizationpriority: medium
-ms.date: 10/04/2023
+ms.date: 10/13/2023
 ms.topic: how-to
 ms.collection:
   - highpri
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ Installing a KMS host key on a computer running a client version of Windows allo
 - Activation of other computers running the same client version of Windows.
 - Activation of other computers running earlier client versions of Windows.
 
-Clients locate the KMS server by using resource records in DNS, so some configuration of DNS may be required. This scenario can be beneficial if the organization uses volume activation for clients and MAK-based activation for a smaller number of servers.
+Clients locate the KMS server by using resource records in DNS, so some configuration of DNS is required. This scenario can be beneficial if the 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. The host is then activated over the Internet or by phone using Microsoft activation services.
 
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ KMS can be activated on client versions of Windows by using the `slmgr.vbs`. To
          cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /dti
          ```
 
-         This should display the installation ID.
+         This command should display the installation ID.
 
       1. Call the [Microsoft Volume License Key assisted support telephone numbers](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers). Follow the voice prompts and when prompted, enter the installation ID obtained in the previous step.
 
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ Installing a KMS host key on a computer running Windows Server allows you to act
 
 > [!IMPORTANT]
 >
-> You cannot install a client KMS key into the KMS in Windows Server.
+> You can't install a client KMS key into the KMS in Windows Server.
 
 ### Configure KMS in Windows Server
 
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ Installing a KMS host key on a computer running Windows Server allows you to act
 
 1. Open **Server Manager**.
 
-1. Under the **Manage** menu in **Server Manager**, select **Add Roles and Features**. This opens the **Add Roles and Features Wizard**.
+1. Under the **Manage** menu in **Server Manager**, select **Add Roles and Features**. The **Add Roles and Features Wizard** window opens.
 
 1. In the **Add Roles and Features Wizard**:
 
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ Installing a KMS host key on a computer running Windows Server allows you to act
 
    1. In the **Confirm installation selections**/**Confirmation** page, select the **Install** button.
 
-   1. Installation may take a few minutes to complete. Once the role installation completes, select the **Close** button.
+   1. Installation can take a few minutes to complete. Once the role installation completes, select the **Close** button.
 
 1. Go to the **Start Menu** > **Windows Administrative Tools** and select **Volume Activation Tools**. The **Volume Activation Tools** window appears.
 
@@ -133,11 +133,29 @@ Installing a KMS host key on a computer running Windows Server allows you to act
 
    1. After the product key is installed, in the **Product Key Installation Succeeded**/**Product Key Management** page, make sure **Activate Product** is selected, and then select **Next >** button to begin the activation process.
 
-   1. In the **Activate Product**/**Product Key Management** page, make sure that the product shows correctly under the **Select product** menu, and then select the desired activation method. The available methods are:
+   1. In the **Activate Product**/**Product Key Management** page, make sure the current product is shown under the **Select product** menu, and then select the desired activation method. The available methods are:
 
       - **Active online** - If selecting this option, select the **Commit** button to finish activating the product online.
 
-      - **Active by phone** - If selecting this option, select the **Show me other ways to activate** drop-down menu, and then select **Use the automated phone system**. Follow the instructions to activate the product by phone.
+      - **Active by phone** - If selecting this option:
+
+         1. Select the desired location from the **Select your location** drop-down menu, and then select the **Next >** button.
+
+         1. In the **Activate by Phone**/**Product Key Management** page, follow the instructions to activate the product by phone.
+
+         1. Once finished, select the **Commit** button.
+
+   1. In the **Activation Succeeded**/**Product Key Management** page, review the configuration options:
+
+      - If the configuration options are as expected, select the **Close** button.
+
+      - If configuration changes are desired:
+
+         1. Select the **Next >** button.
+
+         1. In the **Configure Key Management Service Options/Product Key Management** page, make the desired configuration changes, and then select the **Commit** button.
+
+         1. In the **Configuration Succeeded**/**Configuration** page, select the **Close** button.
 
 Once the KMS host is configured, it begins to listen for activation requests. However, it doesn't activate clients successfully until the activation threshold is met.
 
@@ -147,45 +165,34 @@ KMS volume activation can be verified from the KMS host server or from the clien
 
 > [!NOTE]
 >
-> If you configured Active Directory-based activation before configuring KMS activation, you must use a client computer that will not first try to activate itself by using Active Directory-based activation. You could use a workgroup computer that is not joined to a domain or a computer running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
+> If you configured Active Directory-based activation before configuring KMS activation, you must use a client computer that doesn't first try to activate itself by using Active Directory-based activation. For example, a client computer that is a workgroup computer that isn't joined to a domain.
 
 To verify that KMS volume activation works, complete the following steps:
 
 1. On the KMS host, open the event log and confirm that DNS publishing is successful.
 
-2. On a client computer, open a Command Prompt window and run the command `Slmgr.vbs /ato`.
+2. On a client computer, open an elevated Command Prompt window and run the command:
+
+   ```cmd
+   cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /ato
+   ```
 
    The `/ato` command causes the operating system to attempt activation by using whichever key has been installed in the operating system. The response should show the license state and detailed Windows version information.
 
-3. On a client computer or the KMS host, open an elevated Command Prompt window and run the command `Slmgr.vbs /dlv`.
+3. On a client computer or the KMS host, open an elevated Command Prompt window and run the command
+
+   ```cmd
+   cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /dlv
+   ```
 
    The `/dlv` command displays the detailed licensing information. The response should return an error that states that the KMS activation count is too low. This test confirms that KMS is functioning correctly, even though the client hasn't been activated.
 
-For more information about the use and syntax of slmgr.vbs, see [Slmgr.vbs Options](/windows-server/get-started/activation-slmgr-vbs-options).
+For more information about the use and syntax of the script `slmgr.vbs`, see [Slmgr.vbs Options](/windows-server/get-started/activation-slmgr-vbs-options).
 
-## Key Management Service in earlier versions of Windows
-
-If you've already established a KMS infrastructure in your organization for an earlier version of Windows, you may want to continue using that infrastructure to activate computers running Windows 10 or Windows Server 2012 R2. Your existing KMS host must be 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 system. Restart the computer as directed.
-2. Request a new KMS host key from the Volume Licensing Service Center.
-3. Install the new KMS host key on your KMS host.
-4. Activate the new KMS host key by running the slmgr.vbs script.
-
-For detailed instructions, see [Update that enables Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 KMS hosts to activate a later version of Windows](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=618265) and [Update that enables Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS hosts to activate Windows 10](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=626590).
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+>
+> Clients require RPC over TCP/IP connectivity to the KMS host to successfully activate.
 
 ## Related articles
 
-- [Volume Activation for Windows 10](volume-activation-windows-10.md).
-- [Deploy KMS Activation](/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-R2-and-2012/dn502531)
-- [Error 0xC004F015 when you activate Windows 10 Enterprise on a Windows Server 2012 R2 KMS host](/troubleshoot/windows-server/deployment/error-0xc004f015-activate-windows-10).
-- [Windows Volume Activation Tips](/archive/blogs/askcore/windows-10-volume-activation-tips).
-
-
-   ![Adding the Volume Activation Services role in Server Manager.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-04.jpg)
-      ![Launching the Volume Activation Tools.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-05.jpg)
-         ![Configuring the computer as a KMS host.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-06.jpg)
-            ![Installing your KMS host key.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-07.jpg)
-               ![Activating the software.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-08.jpg)
-                  ![Choosing to activate online.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-09.jpg)
-
+- [Key Management Services (KMS) activation planning](/windows-server/get-started/kms-activation-planning).