Once the KMS key has been installed, it needs to be activated using one of the following methods: In the elevated Command Prompt window, run the following command to install the KMS key: cscript.exe slmgr.vbs /ipk To activate KMS on a client version of Windows, follow these steps: KMS can be activated on client versions of Windows by using the slmgr.vbs. Configure KMS in a client version of Windows The host is then activated over the Internet or by phone using Microsoft activation services. To enable KMS functionality, a KMS key is installed on a KMS host. This scenario can be beneficial if the organization uses volume activation for clients and MAK-based activation for a smaller number of servers. Activation of other computers running earlier client versions of Windows.Ĭlients locate the KMS server by using resource records in DNS, so some configuration of DNS is required.Activation of other computers running the same client version of Windows.
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 a client version of Windows KMS can be hosted either on a client version of Windows or on Windows Server.
Volume activation can be performed via Key Management Service (KMS).
For information on retail activation, see the following articles:
