The KMS server was first introduced with Windows Vista as an easy activation service for IT pros. Since then, each new release ofWindows and Office provided a necessary update to KMS server, in order to keep offering activation keys to Windows and Office clients. The release of Windows 10 KMS activation and Office 2016activation is no different then previous versions.
In this post, we will covert how to use an already configured KMS server for activation of Windows 10 and Office 2016.
Prerequisites for Windows 10 KMS
Your existing KMS server will most probably be good to manage licenses for Windows 10 and Office 2016.
Minimum OS requirement :
- Windows 7 and up
- Window Server 2008 R2 and up
Mandatory :
Optional :
- Windows ADK 10 for Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) – Version 3.1
- SQL server 2008 or later required (SQL Server Express supported)
Locate yourKMS Server
It is most probably been a long time since you’ve played around your KMS server. To find which server is acting as your KMS :
- Go to theDNS console / Forward Lookup Zones / <domain> /_TCP
- Look for the _VLMCS entry to get your KMS Server name
List Licensed Products on a KMS Server
Run the following command line on the KMS server to retrieve all installedlicences :
- cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /dli all >> c:\temp\KMS.log
- In the KMS.log file,look for License status : Licensed to retrieve which product is supported by your KMS
Threshold for KMS Server Activation
Each Microsoft product supported by KMS server activation has a threshold to be an active KMS server. This mean that until the minimum concurrent activation request is met, the KMS server is not offering licenses for Windows and Office client.
- A minimum of 25 Windows 10 must be running and asking for KMS activation concurrentlyto enable the KMS server for Windows 10
- A minimum of 5 Office 2016 must be running and asking for KMS activation concurrentlyto enable the KMS server for Office 2016
[su_box title=”Important Note” style=”glass” title_color=”#F0F0F0″]
When you’ll try to add your Windows 10 KMS key to your KMS server, you mighthave the following issue : Error 0xC004F015 when you try to activate Windows 10 Enterprise on a Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS host. This will force you to use theWindows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10keyfrom the Volume licensing site.
This key is good for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2012R2. Because of this,it will likely result in meeting the minimum requirement for this key, as you probably already have 5 Windows Server 2012 R2. Once the key is activated, the firstWindows 10 will be able to get an activation key from the KMS server. No needfor the 25 Windows 10 threshold.[/su_box]
For more information, read the Technet article.
AddWindows 10 KMS Key to a KMS Server
KMS key for Windows 10 is the same no matter which branchyou are using.
- Run a command line as administrator
- Run the following command
- Product key installed successfully
- To validate the key is installed, run the following command :
- slmgr /dlv 20e938bb-df44-45ee-bde1-4e4fe7477f37
- The long GUID is the Activation ID for Windows 10, which is generic
[su_box title=”Note” style=”glass” title_color=”#F0F0F0″]
You server isnot yet licensed as we didn’t had 25 up and running Windows 10 computers at thistime.[/su_box]
Add Office 2016 Key to KMS Server
All Office 2016 client volume editions products are pre-installed with a Generic Volume License Key (GVLK) key, which supports automatic activation for both KMS and Active Directory-Based Activation, so you will not need to install a product key.
- Execute the Microsoft Office Volume License pack
- Check the Accept Terms checkboxand click Continue
- Enter the KMS key from the Volume Licensing website, Click OK
- Once installed, we need to activate on the Internet, click Yes
- Confirmation of installed and activated
- To validate the key is installed, run the following command :
- slmgr.vbs /dlv 98ebfe73-2084-4c97-932c-c0cd1643bea7
[su_box title=”Note” style=”glass” title_color=”#F0F0F0″]Most of the time , Visio and Project should use the same KMS key to be activated.[/su_box]
KMS Client Setup Key
KMS client setup key are the default key to redirect Windows to find a KMS server on the network. Those should be use only on a Windows 10 client to redirect them to KMS server if they were activated by a MAK key.
By default, Windows will look for a KMS server automatically if no key is specified in the setup or after Windowsinstallation.
[su_box title=”Warning” style=”glass” title_color=”#F0F0F0″]Never use your KMS key from the volume licencing site on your Windows clients. This will generate a new KMS server on your network.[/su_box]
| Operating System Edition | KMS Client Setup Key |
|---|
| Windows 10 Professional | W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX |
| Windows 10 Professional N | MH37W-N47XK-V7XM9-C7227-GCQG9 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise | NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise N | DPH2V-TTNVB-4X9Q3-TJR4H-KHJW4 |
| Windows 10 Education | NW6C2-QMPVW-D7KKK-3GKT6-VCFB2 |
| Windows 10 Education N | 2WH4N-8QGBV-H22JP-CT43Q-MDWWJ |
| Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB | WNMTR-4C88C-JK8YV-HQ7T2-76DF9 |
| Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB N | 2F77B-TNFGY-69QQF-B8YKP-D69TJ |
| Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB | DCPHK-NFMTC-H88MJ-PFHPY-QJ4BJ |
| Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB N | QFFDN-GRT3P-VKWWX-X7T3R-8B639 |
Those keys can be used with the following command :
This will force the computer to look for a KMS server instead of a MAK key.
Read the Technet article for more information.
Install Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)
The Volume Activation Management Tool is designed to help administrator management licenses for Windows and Office products. You caninventory licenses, manage MAK activation and KMS activation. This is an optional step and it can be installed on any computer on your network.
- Start the Windows 10 ADK installation (If you already have Windows 10 ADK installed, you can change it from Program and Features in Control Panel)
- Select Volume Activation Management Tool,click on Change
- Select Volume Activation Management Toolfromthe start menu
- Select the SQL server where you want theVAMTdatabase to be created or install SQL Server Express locally using the link in the Database Connection Settings screen
- Our server will bethe local serverwith default instance nameand we will createa new database called VAMT
- VAMT is installed and connected to the database
Change Windows 10 Activation Methodwith Volume Activation Management Tool
When you havethe minimum 25 concurrents Windows 10 on your network, you can use VAMT to change the activation method of clients remotelyinstead of using the manual process describe earlier in this post.
When changing the activation method from MAK to KMS with VAMT, Windows 10 clients will be activated with KMS client setup key. This will force a new try to find a KMS server for Windows 10 on the network. Once 25 computers is reached, KMS server will be up and allowing further activation.
[su_box title=”Note” style=”glass” title_color=”#F0F0F0″]Changing Office activation to use KMS can be done the same way as for Windows 10.[/su_box]
To change a Windows 10 from MAK to KMS :
- Open VAMT, right-click on Productsand select Discover products
- We need to find our Windows 10computers :
- This can be doneusing anLDAP query, IP Address,Nameor in a Workgroup
- For this post, we will only findone computer. A full Active Directory search will take time. Manually entering your 25 Windows 10 computers, separated by a comma, might be a good idea.
- When the computer is found, VAMT will not know the license status until we query it. To query the license, right click on the computer and select Update license Status
- If you use current credential, you must be local administrator of the remote computer
- Computer must be accessible on the network to update the license status
- The computer will return one row per product found. In our case, the computer is running Windows 10 and Office 2016
- We now take a look at the Product key type column, we see that our Windows 10 is using a MAK key, while Office 2016 is already using the KMS
[su_box title=”Note” style=”glass” title_color=”#F0F0F0″]GVLK is the acronym used for KMS client setup key.[/su_box]
- Under Products / Windows
- Select one or more computers to change from MAK to KMS activation
- Right-click on it and choose Install Product Key
- Select Automatically select a KMS client key (GVLK) and click Install Key
- You do not need to specify any key. The GVLK are generic and known by VAMT
- Wait for the Action Status to show Successfully installed the product key
- Thecomputer nowflagged as Non Genuine
[su_box title=”Note” style=”glass” title_color=”#F0F0F0″]At this point, the client remain activated using aMAK key.[/su_box]
- Go back to Products / Windows and select the computer again
- Right-click and select Volume activate /Activate
- This will force the computer to try to activate usingthe KMS server
- Computer is now activated on the KMS server
- Activation is also visible in the Event Viewer
- In VAMT, the client is now Licensed andGenuine
Event Viewer for KMS Activation
You can see all activation requests that goes to this KMS server in the Event Viewer of the KMS server.
- OpenEvent Viewer /Applications and Services Logs / Key Management Service
- All activation requests are listed
On the client, you can also use Event Viewer to see activation requests :
- OpenEvent Viewer /Application Logs
- Looking for events number 12288 and 12289
- Here’s how to read 12289events :
- Here’s how to read 12288events :
Read the Technet article for more information on troubleshooting KMS.
Encountered Issues
Here’s a couple of support article that may comes handy. We encountered the following issues in various environments :
FAQs
KMS activation errors often occur because there is no valid KMS server for your clients to activate against. In this case, you need to install and activate a KMS server. Once you've set up a computer to host the KMS software, you can go ahead and publish the Domain Name System (DNS) settings.
How do I force KMS to activate? ›
Open an elevated command prompt and run one of the following commands:
- To install the KMS key, run the command slmgr. vbs /ipk <KmsKey> .
- To activate online, run the command slmgr. vbs /ato .
- To activate by telephone, follow these steps: Run slmgr. vbs /dti and confirm the installation ID.
Go to the Product Keys section of the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) for Open, Open Value, Select, Enterprise Agreements, and the Services provider License Agreement (SPLA) Call your Microsoft Activation Center.
How do I configure the Volume Activation Management Tool? ›
Install VAMT using the ADK
Enter an install location or use the default path, and then select Next. Select a privacy setting, and then select Next. Accept the license terms. On the Select the features you want to install page, select Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT), and then select Install.
Is KMS a hack? ›
KMS is Malwarebytes' detection name for a Hacktool that allows the user to use Microsoft software illegally.
Is KMS activation harmful? ›
It can lead to a variety of dangerous acts as soon as it is installed, including data theft, Trojan operations, and more. KMSpico is a Microsoft Office activator for the Windows operating system and Office suite.
Can a KMS server activate itself? ›
The KMS clients find the KMS host via a DNS SRV record (_vlmcs. _tcp) and then automatically attempt to discover and use this service to activate themselves. When in the 30 day Out of Box grace period, they will try to activate every 2 hours. Once activated, the KMS clients will attempt a renewal every 7days.
Do KMS licenses expire? ›
KMS activations are valid for 180 days (the activation validity interval). To remain activated, KMS client computers must renew their activation by connecting to the KMS host at least once every 180 days. By default, KMS client computers attempt to renew their activation every seven days.
Can KMS activate Office? ›
To enable the KMS host computer to activate Office, you must install the Office Volume License Pack and enter your KMS key on the KMS host computer. Then, you need to activate the KMS key over the internet or by telephone.
How do I activate Windows 10 without a product key and make it genuine? ›
If you have a digital license for your device, you can reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 on this device without entering a product key. Make sure that Windows 10 is activated before you try to reinstall it. To find out, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .
You might see this error if you entered a product key for a different edition of Windows than the edition installed on your device. You might also see this error if you previously upgraded to Windows 10, but the current edition of Windows installed on your device doesn't match the edition of your digital license.
What is volume activation management tool? ›
The Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) lets you automate and centrally manage the Windows, Office, and select other Microsoft products volume and retail-activation process. VAMT can manage volume activation using Multiple Activation Keys (MAKs) or the Windows Key Management Service (KMS).
How do I find my KMS product key? ›
Retrieve KMS License Key from the VLSC for Windows Server 2019
- Log on to the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).
- Click License.
- Click Relationship Summary.
- Click License ID of your current Active License.
- After the page loads, click Product Keys.
- In the list of keys, locate Windows Srv 2019 DataCtr/Std KMS.
vbs /dlv” on the server and it should return the name of the KMS Server. Additional options for the slmr. vbs command are located on Microsoft TechNet.
Is KMS activation good? ›
KMS is a legitimate way to activate Windows licenses in client computers, especially en masse (volume activation). There is even a Microsoft document on creating a KMS activation host. A KMS client connects to a KMS server (the activation host), which contains the host key the client uses for activation.
Can I delete KMS after activation? ›
Yes you can remove KMSpico but dont do it. You may have activated windows or ms office with kmspico now you think that it is useless, no its not like this, to keep your windows activated do not remove kmspico. If you remove it then your windows will go again in trail mode.
How many times can a KMS key be used? ›
A KMS Key is used to activate the KMS host computer with a Microsoft activation server and can activate up to six KMS hosts with 10 activations per host. Each KMS host can activate an unlimited number of computers.
How long is KMS activation? ›
Any Windows client that configured to use 'KMS Client Channel' will be activated against the new KMS host automatically within 2 hours (as this is the 'KMS Activation Interval' default value).
How do I remove KMS key from Windows 10? ›
Step by Step Guide:
- Identify the activation ID by running this cmd: Slmgr/dlv.
- Uninstall the KMS host key first by running CMD: Slmgr/upk < activation ID>
- Then, install the default kms key by running the following command: slmgr /ipk <KMS Client Setup Key> ...
- Delete the record from the DNS: ...
- The KMS server is uninstalled.
An asymmetric KMS key represents a mathematically related public key and private key pair. You can give the public key to anyone, even if they're not trusted, but the private key must be kept secret. In an asymmetric KMS key, the private key is created in AWS KMS and never leaves AWS KMS unencrypted.
We recommend only having a single KMS host for both Windows and Office. Having more than one KMS host on a network is not necessary and it adds more administration work to implement. The additional work involves preparing DNS to let multiple computers manage _VLMCS records.
How do I manually activate KMS client? ›
Manual KMS activation
- Log into your computer with an administrator account.
- Type into the search field. cmd.exe.
- Click with the right mouse button on cmd.exe and select “Run as Administrator”
- Enter. ...
- To complete the activation process enter.
Additionally, you can use an unactivated Windows 10 without any restrictions for one month after first installing it. This means that your system will behave as if it's activated for 30 days. After this period expires, the restrictions come into effect.
What happens when KMS expires? ›
AWS KMS will automatically delete the key material after the expiration period.
What happens when Windows 10 license expires? ›
Once the license expires, Windows will reboot automatically about every three hours and anything you're working on when it reboots will be lost. After two weeks longer, Windows will stop booting at all. AT that point, you'll need to purchase another license and reinstall Windows. Was this reply helpful?
How to activate Windows 10 with CMD without key? ›
How to Activate Windows 10/11 with CMD
- You have to open the command prompt on your system first. Then, click and start and simply type "CMD". Now, run it as administrator.
- Type the following command. slmgr /ipk. slmgr /skms kms.xspace.in. Slmgr /ato. Now press enter. This command will activate your Windows 10/11.
Method 1: Manual activation
Click on the start button, search for “cmd” then run it with administrator rights. Step 1.2: Install KMS client key. Use the command “slmgr /ipk yourlicensekey” to install a license key (yourlicensekey is the activation key that corresponds to your Windows edition).
How do you confirm KMS is working? ›
Verify that the KMS activation threshold is met. On the KMS host computer, run Slmgr. vbs and use the /dli command-line option to determine the host's current count. Until the KMS host has a count of 25, Windows 7 client computers cannot be activated.
How can I permanently activate my Windows for free? ›
Here's how to go about it.
- Run CMD As Administrator. You can activate your Windows PC using Windows 10 activation txt with the help of command prompt. ...
- Install KMS Client key. Enter the command slmgr /ipk yourlicensekey and click ENTER button on your keyboard to execute the command. ...
- Activate Windows.
Get Windows 10 Key for Free or Cheap in 2022
- Get Free Windows 10 from Microsoft.
- Get Windows 10 Through OnTheHub (For Educational Institutes)
- Upgrade from Windows 7/8/8.1.
- Get Windows 10 Key from Authentic Sources at a Cheaper Price.
- Buy Windows 10 Key from Microsoft.
- Windows 10 Volume Licensing.
At the command prompt, enter the following command: slmgr. vbs /upk. This command uninstalls the product key, which frees the license for use elsewhere. You are now free to transfer your license to another computer.
How to crack Windows password using CMD? ›
In the Command Prompt window, type net user username “” and press Enter. Replace username with your actual Windows account name. This will reset your Windows 10 password to blank. Close the Command Prompt window and click Sign in on the login screen to log in to Windows 10 without a password.
What is volume of activation? ›
The activation volume is defined as the volume of a material involved in the process of overcoming the energy barrier; in other words, it is the smallest unit reversing its magnetization during a switching process.
How does Windows KMS server work? ›
KMS uses a client-server model to active Windows clients and is used for volume activation on your local network. KMS clients connect to a KMS server, called the KMS host, for activation. The KMS clients that a KMS host can activate are dependent on the host key used to activate the KMS host.
What is management activation? ›
Activation is the process of stimulating an activity -so that it is undertaken effectively. Activation of strategy is required because only a very small group of people is involved in strategy formulation while its implementation involves a large number of people in the organization.
What are the 3 types of KMS keys? ›
AWS KMS supports several types of KMS keys: symmetric encryption keys, symmetric HMAC keys, asymmetric encryption keys, and asymmetric signing keys. KMS keys differ because they contain different cryptographic key material.
What is the default KMS key? ›
A KMS default master key is used by an AWS service such as RDS, EBS, Lambda, Elastic Transcoder, Redshift, SES, SQS, CloudWatch, EFS, S3 or Workspaces when no other key is defined to encrypt a resource for that service. The default key cannot be modified to ensure its availability, durability and security.
Where do I find my 25 digit product key? ›
The other way to find your Product Key is to look for the 25-character code that came with or on the packaging that accompanied your device. This will either be a card inside the box, a sticker on the DVD sleeve, or printed upon the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the PC.
How do I find my KMS server IP? ›
Look for the KeyManagementServiceName data and this should return your KMS server. Do a ping of this and it should then return you the IP address of the KMS server. Run "slmgr /dlv" and you will get the KMS host name.
How do I check my KMS activation status? ›
How do you check if Windows is activated by KMS? To check if the client computer is properly activated, you can either check in the Control Panel System or run the SLMgr script in the command prompt. To check run Slmgr. vbs with the /dli command-line option.
KMS activator is not a virus but an activator. It depends that from where you have downloaded the file. Some sites have virus files attached to it because u have to deactivate your antivirus to use the activator and this is a good opportunity for the virus to attack our computer system.
Is KMS genuine? ›
Yes, KMS activation is illegal for Windows. If you activate through the KMS method then your copy of Windows would not be considered genuine by Windows.
How do I get rid of KMS HackTool? ›
To remove HackTool:Win32/AutoKMS Trojan from your computer, follow these steps:
- STEP 1: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows.
- STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings.
- STEP 3: Use Rkill to terminate suspicious programs.
- STEP 4: Use Malwarebytes to remove for Trojans and Unwanted Programs.
If you see a link, a video, or anything else that is asking you to activate Windows 10, don't click on it. Security firm MalwareBytes says most of these links and purported activators are malicious.
What is the minimum activation threshold when using KMS with Windows 10? ›
The KMS requires a minimum number of computers (physical computers or virtual machines) in a network environment. The organization must have at least five computers to activate Windows Server 2012 R2 and at least 25 computers to activate client computers that are running Windows 10.
