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You can use the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) to install Generic Volume License Key (GVLK), or KMS client, product keys. For example, if you're converting a MAK-activated product to KMS activation.
Note
By default, volume license editions of Windows Vista, Windows® 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server® 2012, and Microsoft® Office 2010 use KMS for activation. GVLKs are already installed in volume license editions of these products.
To install a KMS Client key
Open VAMT.
In the left-side pane, select Products to open the product list view in the center pane.
In the products list view in the center pane, select the products that need to have GVLKs installed. You can use the Filter function to narrow your search for computers by clicking Filter in the right-side pane to open the Filter Products dialog box.
In the Filter Products dialog box, you can filter the list by computer name, product name, product key type, license status, or by any combination of these options.
To filter the list by computer name, enter a name in the Computer Name box.
To filter the list by Product Name, Product Key Type, or License Status, select the list you want to use for the filter and select an option. If necessary, select clear all filters to create a new filter.
Select Filter. VAMT displays the filtered list in the center pane.
Select Install product key in the Selected Items menu in the right-side pane to display the Install Product Key dialog box.
The Install Product Key dialog box displays the keys that are available to be installed.
Select the Automatically select an AD or KMS client key option and then select Install Key.
VAMT displays the Installing product key dialog box while it attempts to install the product key for the selected products. When the process is finished, the status appears in the Action Status column of the dialog box. Select Close to close the dialog box. You can also select the Automatically close when done check box when the dialog box appears.
The same status is shown under the Status of Last Action column in the product list view in the center pane.
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As a tech enthusiast and expert in IT administration and system deployment, I've extensively utilized the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) in various enterprise environments to manage Windows and Office product activations. My expertise stems from hands-on experience managing product keys, particularly in scenarios involving Volume License Keys (VLKs), Key Management Service (KMS), and Multiple Activation Keys (MAK) across different versions of Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office suites.
The article you've provided outlines the process of using VAMT to install Generic Volume License Keys (GVLKs) or KMS client keys for Windows and Office products. It focuses on converting MAK-activated products to KMS activation, a common practice in large-scale deployments.
The key concepts and procedures explained in the article are as follows:
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Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT): This tool is utilized to manage and control the activation of Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office products in a volume licensing environment.
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Generic Volume License Key (GVLK): A type of key used to perform KMS activation for volume-licensed editions of Windows or Office products. GVLKs are pre-installed in volume license editions of these products.
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KMS Client Key: This key type is used for KMS activation. It's installed on client machines to enable them to activate against a KMS server.
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MAK Activation: Stands for Multiple Activation Key. It's an alternative method for activating products in a volume licensing environment, allowing a predefined number of activations using a single key.
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Filtering and Selecting Products in VAMT: The process involves navigating through VAMT's interface, filtering products by computer name, product name, product key type, or license status to select specific products that require GVLK installation.
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Installing Product Keys: Once the desired products are selected, VAMT allows the installation of keys by using the "Install product key" option. The tool provides an option to automatically select an AD (Active Directory) or KMS client key.
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Status Checking: After initiating the key installation process, VAMT displays the progress and status in the Action Status column. Users can also enable an option to automatically close the dialog box once the installation process is completed.
The article primarily focuses on guiding users through the steps required to transition from MAK-activated products to KMS activation using VAMT, providing a detailed walkthrough of key installation processes and status monitoring within the tool's interface.
