KMS activates operating systems on your local network, eliminating the need for individual computers to connect to Microsoft. To do this, KMS uses a client/server method of implementation. KMS clients connect to a KMS server, called the KMS host, for activation. The KMS host resides on your local network.
Supported platforms
A KMS server can run on either windows 2008, Windows vista or Windows Server 2003 with SP1 and later, however installing it on Windows 2003 requires you to download the appropriate installation files for KMS v1.1.
Number of PC's required
To activate Windows Vista, you must have at least 25 computers running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 that are connected together; for Windows Server 2008, the minimum is 5 computers. Computers that are activated through KMS must be reactivated every six months by connecting to your organization's network.
KMS Setup
Note: Do all the commands below via a command prompt which has been opened with Administrative privileges.
Installing KMS Server:
Open C:\Windows\system32 and execute the following command
Microsoft Windows Script Host Version 5.7 Copyright Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Installed product key xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx successfully.
How can I activate via Telephone (offline activation)
If activation for the KMS server is necessary then call Microsoft and follow the instructions.
Open C:\Windows\system32 and execute the following command
slui.exe 4
Then
* Show me other ways to activate * use the automated phone system
And then call Microsoft and follow the instructions. After successful activation, click on close.
Then do as follows:
net stop slsvcnet start slsvc
You should see the following:
The Software Licensing service is stopping. The Software Licensing service was stopped successfully.
The Software Licensing service is starting. The Software Licensing service was started successfully.
Open the Firewall for KMS traffic
In Windows Firewall, click on Exceptions and allow the now listed Key Management Services, failure to do this step will mean that your KMS hosts can not talk to the KMS service and therefore will not activate.
KMS listens on port 1688, to change the port you must do as follows:
SLMgr.vbs /SPrt xxxx
where xxxx = the new port number
After you have entered this command you must restart the SLMgr service using:
net stop slsvc
net start slsvc
Test the KMS server configuration
The KMS server should publish its SRV records in your domain DNS, you should verify that these records exist.
Open C:\Windows\system32 and execute the following command
_vlmcs._tcp.server2008.lab.local SRV service location: priority = 0 weight = 0 port = 1688 svr hostname = kms03.server2008.lab.local _vlmcs._tcp.server2008.lab.local SRV service location: priority = 0 weight = 0 port = 1688 svr hostname = kms01server2008..lab.local kms01.server2008.lab.local internet address = 192.168.3.3 kms02.server2008.lab.local internet address = 192.168.3.4
If not, review the following link for setting up the DNS records or click on this link for troubleshooting KMS activation.
To manually activate a client over the Internet
Any client will automatically try to activate itself every 120 minutes by default, so there is no need to run the acivation command manually. However if you want to test or speed up the process then do as follows.
Open C:\Windows\system32 and execute the following command
cscript C:\Windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /ato
To change the 120 minutes setting, you must do as follows:
SLMgr.vbs /sai x
where x = the new interval in minutes
After you have entered this command you must restart the SLMgr service using:
net stop slsvcnet start slsvc
Query KMS server
To query the KMS server and see its status open a command prompt and execute the following command.
Name: Windows Server ServerStandard edition Description: Windows Operating System - Windows Server VOLUME_KMS_B channel Partial Product Key: xxxxx License Status: Licensed
Key Management Service is enabled on this machine Current count: 2 Listening on Port: 1688 DNS publishing enabled KMS priority: Normal
Key Management Service cumulative requests received from clients Total requests received: 5 Failed requests received: 0 Requests with License Status Unlicensed: 0 Requests with License Status Licensed: 0 Requests with License Status Initial grace period: 5 Requests with License Status License expired or Hardware out of tolerance: 0
Requests with License Status Non-genuine grace period: 0 Requests with License Status Notification: 0
Initial grace Period This occurs after the computer is installed and can only last for up to 30 days, this can be reset twice.
Non-Genuine grace Period This occurs after a computer is found to have a non-genuine or counterfeit Windows operating system installed. This state can last up to 30 days to give you time to reactivate using a genuine copy and License key.
Out-of-tolerance grace period This can occur when either several hardware changes are made to the computer or when the KMS key has not contacted Microsoft for updates in 180 days. This state can last up to 30 days.
Licensed This state occurs when everything is ok and the system is activated.
Unlicensed This state occurs when the activation period has expired and nothing was done about it. The computer will stay in a limited access state until it has been activated.
Activating Workgroup Computers
To activate workgroup computers use the following two lines, replace 192.168.0.1 with the ip address of the KMS server
Which Key do I use, KMS, MAK, VLK ? IF you are unsure about which key to use for activation then take a look atthis post on Technet, the list of keys is printed here
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.
KMS (Key Management Server)
What is a KMS server
KMS activates operating systems on your local network, eliminating the need for individual computers to connect to Microsoft. To do this, KMS uses a client/server method of implementation. KMS clients connect to a KMS server, called the KMS host, for activation. The KMS host resides on your local network.
Supported platforms
A KMS server can run on either windows 2008, Windows vista or Windows Server 2003 with SP1 and later, however installing it on Windows 2003 requires you to download the appropriate installation files for KMS v1.1.
Number of PC's required
To activate Windows Vista, you must have at least 25 computers running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 that are connected together; for Windows Server 2008, the minimum is 5 computers. Computers that are activated through KMS must be reactivated every six months by connecting to your organization's network.
KMS Setup
Note: Do all the commands below via a command prompt which has been opened with Administrative privileges.
Installing KMS Server:
Open C:\Windows\system32 and execute the following command
Obvioulsy replace xxxxx with your key.
You should see the following:
How can I activate via Telephone (offline activation)
If activation for the KMS server is necessary then call Microsoft and follow the instructions.
Open C:\Windows\system32 and execute the following command
Then
* Show me other ways to activate
* use the automated phone system
And then call Microsoft and follow the instructions. After successful activation, click on close.
Then do as follows:
You should see the following:
Open the Firewall for KMS traffic
In Windows Firewall, click on Exceptions and allow the now listed Key Management Services, failure to do this step will mean that your KMS hosts can not talk to the KMS service and therefore will not activate.
KMS listens on port 1688, to change the port you must do as follows:
where xxxx = the new port number
After you have entered this command you must restart the SLMgr service using:
Test the KMS server configuration
The KMS server should publish its SRV records in your domain DNS, you should verify that these records exist.
Open C:\Windows\system32 and execute the following command
You should see output similar to the following:
If not, review the following link for setting up the DNS records or click on this link for troubleshooting KMS activation.
To manually activate a client over the Internet
Any client will automatically try to activate itself every 120 minutes by default, so there is no need to run the acivation command manually. However if you want to test or speed up the process then do as follows.
Open C:\Windows\system32 and execute the following command
To change the 120 minutes setting, you must do as follows:
where x = the new interval in minutes
After you have entered this command you must restart the SLMgr service using:
Query KMS server
To query the KMS server and see its status open a command prompt and execute the following command.
You should see output similar to below:
Microsoft Video showing KMS in action > http://www.microsoft...;DisplayLang=en
License States
A computer can be in one of 5 license states
Initial grace Period
This occurs after the computer is installed and can only last for up to 30 days, this can be reset twice.
Non-Genuine grace Period
This occurs after a computer is found to have a non-genuine or counterfeit Windows operating system installed. This state can last up to 30 days to give you time to reactivate using a genuine copy and License key.
Out-of-tolerance grace period
This can occur when either several hardware changes are made to the computer or when the KMS key has not contacted Microsoft for updates in 180 days. This state can last up to 30 days.
Licensed
This state occurs when everything is ok and the system is activated.
Unlicensed
This state occurs when the activation period has expired and nothing was done about it. The computer will stay in a limited access state until it has been activated.
Activating Workgroup Computers
To activate workgroup computers use the following two lines, replace 192.168.0.1 with the ip address of the KMS server
Related Reading:-
Windows 7 Specific KMS info. For Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS info please refer to this post.
Key Management Services (KMS) explained - http://www.virtuall....s-kms-explained
Which Key do I use, KMS, MAK, VLK ? IF you are unsure about which key to use for activation then take a look at this post on Technet, the list of keys is printed here
Share this post
Link to post
Share on other sites