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windows/deployment/volume-activation/activate-using-key-management-service-vamt.md
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@ -8,128 +8,145 @@ author: frankroj
manager: aaroncz
ms.author: frankroj
ms.localizationpriority: medium
ms.date: 11/07/2022
ms.date: 10/04/2023
ms.topic: how-to
ms.collection:
- highpri
- tier2
appliesto:
- ✅ <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client" target="_blank">Windows 11</a>
- ✅ <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client" target="_blank">Windows 10</a>
- ✅ <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/windows-server-release-info" target="_blank">Windows Server 2022</a>
- ✅ <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/windows-server-release-info" target="_blank">Windows Server 2019</a>
- ✅ <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/windows-server-release-info" target="_blank">Windows Server 2016</a>
---
# Activate using Key Management Service
**Applies to:**
- Windows 10
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2008 R2
> [!TIP]
> Are you looking for information on retail activation?
>
> For information on retail activation, see the following articles:
>
> - [Activate Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/help/12440/)
> - [Product activation for Windows](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=618644)
There are three possible scenarios for volume activation of Windows 10 or Windows Server 2012 R2 by using a Key Management Service (KMS) host:
Volume activation can be performed via Key Management Service (KMS). KMS can be hosted either on a client version of Windows or on Windows Server.
- Host KMS on a computer running Windows 10
- Host KMS on a computer running Windows Server 2012 R2
- Host KMS on a computer running an earlier version of Windows
## Key Management Service in a client version of Windows
Check out [Windows 10 Volume Activation Tips](/archive/blogs/askcore/windows-10-volume-activation-tips).
Installing a KMS host key on a computer running a client version of Windows allows the following scenarios against this KMS host:
## Key Management Service in Windows 10
- Activation of other computers running the same client version of Windows.
- Activation of other computers running earlier client versions of Windows.
Installing a KMS host key on a computer running Windows 10 allows you to activate other computers running Windows 10 against this KMS host and earlier versions of the client operating system, such as Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.
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 may be 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; then, the host is activated over the Internet or by phone using Microsoft activation services.
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.
### Configure KMS in Windows 10
### Configure KMS in a client version of Windows
To activate, use the `slmgr.vbs` command. Open an elevated command prompt and run one of the following commands:
KMS can be activated on client versions of Windows by using the `slmgr.vbs`. To activate KMS on a client version of Windows, follow these steps:
- To install the KMS key, run the command `slmgr.vbs /ipk <KmsKey>`.
1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window.
- To activate online, run the command `slmgr.vbs /ato`.
1. In the elevated Command Prompt window, run the following command to install the KMS key:
- To activate by telephone, follow these steps:
```cmd
cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /ipk <KMS_Key>
```
1. Run `slmgr.vbs /dti` and confirm the installation ID.
1. Once the KMS key has been installed, it needs to be activated using one of the following methods:
2. Call [Microsoft Licensing Activation Centers worldwide telephone numbers](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers) and follow the voice prompts to enter the installation ID that you obtained in step 1 on your telephone.
- To activate online, in the elevated Command Prompt window, run the following command:
3. Follow the voice prompts and write down the responded 48-digit confirmation ID for OS activation.
```cmd
cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /ato
```
4. Run `slmgr.vbs /atp \<confirmation ID\>`.
- To activate by telephone, follow these steps:
For more information, see the information for Windows 7 in [Deploy KMS Activation](/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2012-R2-and-2012/dn502531(v=ws.11)).
1. In the elevated Command Prompt window, run the following command:
## Key Management Service in Windows Server 2012 R2
```cmd
cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /dti
```
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 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.
This should display the installation ID.
> [!NOTE]
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.
1. Continue following the voice prompts. When prompted, write down the 48-digit confirmation ID for OS activation given by the prompts.
1. In the elevated Command Prompt window, run the following command:
```cmd
cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /atp \<confirmation_ID_from_previous_step\>
```
## Key Management Service in Windows Server
Installing a KMS host key on a computer running Windows Server allows you to activate computers running the same or earlier versions of Windows Server. Additionally, it also allows activation of client versions of Windows.
> [!IMPORTANT]
>
> You cannot install a client KMS key into the KMS in Windows Server.
This scenario is commonly used in larger organizations that don't find the overhead of using a server a burden.
### Configure KMS in Windows Server
> [!NOTE]
> If you receive error 0xC004F015 when trying to activate Windows 10 Enterprise, see [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).
1. Sign in to a Windows Server server with an account that has local administrative credentials.
### Configure KMS in Windows Server 2012 R2
1. Open **Server Manager**.
1. Sign in to a computer running Windows Server 2012 R2 with an account that has local administrative credentials.
1. Under the **Manage** menu in **Server Manager**, select **Add Roles and Features**. This opens the **Add Roles and Features Wizard**.
2. Launch Server Manager.
1. In the **Add Roles and Features Wizard**:
3. Add the Volume Activation Services role, as shown in Figure 4.
1. In the **Before you begin** page, select the **Next >** button.
![Adding the Volume Activation Services role in Server Manager.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-04.jpg)
1. In the **Select installation type**/**Installation Type** page, select **Role-based or feature-based installation**, and then select the **Next >** button.
**Figure 4**. Adding the Volume Activation Services role in Server Manager
1. In the **Select destination server**/**Server Selection** page, make sure **Select a server from the server pool** is selected. Under **Server Pool**, select the server on which to install KMS, and then select the **Next >** button.
4. When the role installation is complete, select the link to launch the Volume Activation Tools (Figure 5).
1. In the **Select server roles**/**Server Roles** page, under **Roles**, select **Volume Activation Services**, and then select the **Next >** button.
![Launching the Volume Activation Tools.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-05.jpg)
1. In the **Add features that are required for Volume Activation Services?** window that appears, select the **Add Features** button, and then select the **Next >** button.
**Figure 5**. Launching the Volume Activation Tools
1. In the **Select features**/**Features** page, select the **Next >** button.
5. Select the **Key Management Service (KMS)** option, and specify the computer that will act as the KMS host (Figure 6). This computer can be the same computer on which you installed the role or another computer. For example, it can be a client computer running Windows 10.
1. In the **Volume Activation Services** page, select the **Next >** button.
![Configuring the computer as a KMS host.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-06.jpg)
1. In the **Confirm installation selections**/**Confirmation** page, select the **Install** button.
**Figure 6**. Configuring the computer as a KMS host
1. Installation may take a few minutes to complete. Once the role installation completes, select the **Close** button.
6. Install your KMS host key by typing it in the text box, and then select **Commit** (Figure 7).
1. Go to the **Start Menu** > **Windows Administrative Tools** and select **Volume Activation Tools**. The **Volume Activation Tools** window appears.
![Installing your KMS host key.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-07.jpg)
1. In the **Volume Activation Tools** window:
**Figure 7**. Installing your KMS host key
1. In the **Introduction to Volume Activation Tools**/**Introduction** page, select the **Next >** button.
7. If asked to confirm replacement of an existing key, select **Yes**.
8. After the product key is installed, you must activate it. Select **Next** (Figure 8).
1. In the **Select Volume Activation Method**/**Activation Type** page, select the **Key Management Service (KMS)** option, and specify the computer that acts as the KMS host. This computer can be the server on which the KMS role was installed, or another server/client computer. After the server/computer has been specified, select the **Next >** button.
![Activating the software.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-08.jpg)
1. In the **Manage KMS Host**/**Product Key Management** page, enter in the KMS host key in the text box under **Install your KMS host key**, and then select the **Commit** button.
**Figure 8**. Activating the software
1. If asked to confirm replacement of an existing key, select **Yes**.
The KMS key can be activated online or by phone. See Figure 9.
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.
![Choosing to activate online.](../images/volumeactivationforwindows81-09.jpg)
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:
**Figure 9**. Choosing to activate online
- **Active online** - If selecting this option, select the **Commit** button to finish activating the product online.
Now that the KMS host is configured, it will begin to listen for activation requests. However, it will not activate clients successfully until the activation threshold is met.
- **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.
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.
## Verifying the configuration of Key Management Service
KMS volume activation can be verified from the KMS host server or from the client computer. KMS volume activation requires a minimum threshold of 25 computers before activation requests will be processed. The verification process described here will increment the activation count each time a client computer contacts the KMS host, but unless the activation threshold is reached, the verification will take the form of an error message rather than a confirmation message.
KMS volume activation can be verified from the KMS host server or from the client computer. KMS volume activation requires a minimum threshold of 25 computers before activation requests are processed. The verification process described here increments the activation count each time a client computer contacts the KMS host. If the activation threshold hasn't been reached, the verification generates an error message instead of a confirmation message.
> [!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.
To verify that KMS volume activation works, complete the following steps:
@ -159,4 +176,16 @@ For detailed instructions, see [Update that enables Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 KM
## Related articles
- [Volume Activation for Windows 10](volume-activation-windows-10.md)
- [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)