Glossary

 

Did you come across an unfamiliar term while validating your software or while searching for other information? Use the Glossary to find definitions of common terms used on the Genuine Microsoft Software Web site.

A Key Management Service (KMS) key is associated with volume licensing. With KMS, information technology professionals can complete activations on their local network, eliminating the need for individual computers to connect to Microsoft^® for product activation. KMS is a lightweight service that does not require a dedicated system and can easily be co-hosted on a system that provides other services. KMS can be used with Windows Server^® 2003, Windows Vista^®, Windows 7^®, or the Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems. By default, volume editions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 connect to a system that hosts the KMS service to request activation. No action is required of the user. KMS requires a minimum number of computers (physical or VM) in a network environment. The organization must have at least 5 computers to activate Windows Server 2008 R2 and at least 25 computers to activate Windows 7 clients. For more about KMS, visit Microsoft’s Volume Licensing Service Center.

The Windows Genuine Advantage Kit and the Office Genuine Advantage Kit are available for purchase directly from Microsoft^® and are cost-effective ways for you to get genuine Windows^® or Office^® if your PC has failed validation. The kits contain the same version of Windows and/or Office that’s already installed on your computer along with a product key that can be used to get genuine. To view available offers, validate Windows and/or Office. If your PC fails validation, you will be presented with kit purchase details as well as any other available local offers for getting genuine.