Frequently Asked Questions About Volume License Keys

Volume Activation is a product activation technology that was first introduced with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. It is designed to allow volume license customers to automate the activation process in a way that is transparent to end users. Volume Activation applies to systems that are covered under a Volume Licensing program and is used strictly as a tool for activation and is in no way tied to license invoicing or billing.

Volume Activation provides two different models for completing volume activations. The first model is Key Management Service (KMS), and the second is Multiple Activation Key (MAK). KMS allows organizations to activate systems within their own network, while MAK activates systems on a one-time basis, using Microsoft hosted activation services. Customers can use either, or both, key types to activate systems in their environment.

As part of your installation, it is important to plan and manage deployment of any product using Volume Activation (for example, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Vista). Before deploying in your organization, read the documents in "Key Resources."

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. With KMS, you can complete activations on your local network, eliminating the need for individual computers to connect to Microsoft for product activation.

A KMS key is used only to activate the KMS host with a Microsoft activation server. KMS requires a minimum number of computers in a network environment. You must have at least five (5) computers to activate computers that are running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2, and at least twenty-five (25) computers to activate computers that are running Windows Vista or Windows 7. These minimums, called activation thresholds, are set so that they are easily met by enterprise customers. After you set up your KMS activation, by default, both physical and virtual Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 computers will try to activate by connecting to the KMS host. For more information about activation thresholds, see the Volume Activation Planning Guide.

Find the telephone number for your Microsoft Activation Center.

You can obtain KMS keys in the same ways you currently receive Volume License Keys:

• Go to the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). You'll find KMS keys in the Product Keys section, on the Existing Keys page.

• Call your Microsoft Activation Center.

If you are a customer using the ISV Royalty Licensing Program or the High Volume Messaging Services Agreement (HVMS), the keys are not available through the VLSC; you must request them by calling your Activation Center.

Yes. A KMS key can activate six KMS hosts with up to 10 activations per host. If you need more activations for your KMS key, you can call your Microsoft Activation Center to request an increase. There is no limit to how many KMS clients can be activated with the KMS host.

Note that a KMS key is used only to activate the KMS host with a Microsoft activation server.

A MAK is used for one-time activation of a computer with Microsoft hosted activation services. There are two ways to activate computers using a MAK:

• MAK Independent Activation requires each computer to independently connect and activate with Microsoft, either over the Internet or by telephone.

• With MAK Proxy Activation, a computer acting as the MAK proxy gathers activation information from multiple computers on the network and then sends a centralized activation request to Microsoft hosted activation services on their behalf. A free application, the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT), enables you to do a MAK Proxy Activation.

You can obtain Multiple Activation Keys (MAKs) similarly to how you obtain other Volume License keys:

• Go to the Product Keys section of the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). MAKs are not pre-assigned; you must request a MAK if you need one to activate Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.

  • Go to the Request MAK Keys page

  • Locate the product(s) for which you need a MAK key, and then select the corresponding check box for the product(s)

  • Click Request MAK Key button

  • The new MAK(s) will be displayed and will appear on the Existing Keys page the next time you log on to the VLSC.

• Contact your Microsoft Activation Center.

If you are a customer using the ISV Royalty Licensing Program or the HVMS, the keys are not available through the VLSC; you must request them by calling your Activation Center.

You can use a MAK to activate individual computers, or you can use it with an image that can be bulk-duplicated or provided for download using Microsoft deployment solutions. You can also use a MAK on a computer that was originally configured for KMS activation. Learn more about planning for MAK activations and using MAK activation during system deployment.

Yes. MAKs allow a predetermined number of activations. This number depends on the type of agreement you have. The number of activations can be revised (at the request of the customer or of Microsoft) to accommodate your regular usage.

You can find the number of activations remaining on a MAK by going to the VLSC, or by using the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT). If the existing activation limit on your MAK is inadequate for your deployment, contact the Microsoft Activation Center.

Find the telephone number for your Microsoft Activation Center.

Yes. As a Volume Licensing customer, you can use a KMS hosted activation service and/or MAKs to activate your computers, depending on the needs of your environment.

Product keys for both KMS and MAK apply to product key groups (for example: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2) rather than individual operating system editions (for example: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Professional, Windows Server 2008 Enterprise, Windows Server 2008 Standard).

There is only one MAK and one KMS key associated with the Windows Client product group. There are three product key groups for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2:

• Windows Web Server 2008/ Windows Server 2008 HPC Edition (MAK/KMS A)

• Windows Server 2008 Standard/ Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (MAK/KMS B)

• Windows Server 2008 Datacenter/ Windows Server 2008 Itanium-Based Systems (MAK/KMS C)

MAK product keys are directly associated with a single product key group and can only activate the Windows editions within that specific product group. For example, if licenses for Windows Server 2008 Enterprise are purchased, the MAK that is associated with Windows Server 2008 Enterprise (MAK B key) must be used to activate those systems. A MAK for Windows Server 2008 Datacenter (MAK C key) will not work. And a MAK for Windows 7 will not work with Windows Vista.

KMS keys function differently from MAK keys in that they are hierarchical. For example, if you have licenses for Windows Server 2008 Datacenter R2 and Standard editions, you should use the KMS key associated with the Datacenter product (KMS C key) to activate your KMS host. The KMS service can then activate computers installed with Windows Server 2008 Datacenter R2 as well as in addition to Windows Server 2008 Standard R2.

Review the table below. For more information about Volume Activation and how MAK and KMS keys can be used, review the documents in "Key Resources."

All of the existing KMS host platforms (Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008) support Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS clients. An update is required on these existing platforms to enable that functionality. The volume licensing editions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are also supported as KMS hosts.

Existing KMS host computers that have Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 installed need an update to support activation of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. This package is available through the Microsoft Download Center or through Windows Update and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Once applied, a KMS key that is designed to support Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 can be installed on the updated host and activated. Note that a KMS key that supports these new versions of Windows also provides support for all previous versions of Volume License editions of Windows acting as KMS clients.

In the case of updating a Windows Server 2003 KMS host, all necessary files are included in the KMS 1.2 downloadable package, which is available through the Microsoft Download Center. Once applied, a KMS key that is designed to support Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 can be installed on the updated host and activated. Note that a KMS key supporting these new versions of Windows provides support for all previous versions of Volume License editions of Windows acting as KMS clients.

No. The update for KMS on Windows Server 2003 (version 1.2) will install on SP2.

Volume Activation changes are noted in documents that can be found on TechNet. Primary changes include:

• Activation of virtual computers

• Being able to use a Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS key and Windows 7 KMS key for earlier versions of the products (see the table above)

• Deployment improvements

• Improvements in performance, product key management and reporting

Either MAK or KMS may be used to activate virtual computers. However, KMS is the preferred method, if it can be implemented in your environment. Each time a computer is activated using a MAK, an activation is decremented. This applies to both physical and virtual computers.

Note:

• Windows Vista SP2, Windows Server 2008 SP2, and the release of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: Virtual computers count toward the activation threshold for KMS. For more information about activation thresholds, see the Volume Activation Planning Guide. In addition, the following white paper, which outlines the changes in SP2, has recently been posted to the Microsoft Download Center: Volume Activation Changes for Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

• Windows Vista SP1, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003 v1.1, and Windows 7 support hosting KMS on a virtual computer.

• Each KMS host key can be used to set up six KMS hosts, which can be physical or virtual.

Existing KMS hosts installed with Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Vista need an update to support activation of Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2 systems. This update will be available through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), the Microsoft Download Center, and the Volume Activation page on TechNet. After installing the update, you may install the Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS key on the host and activate.

You can use one of the following:

• A KMS host activated with a Windows 7 KMS key will activate Windows Vista and Windows 7 KMS clients.

• A KMS host activated with a Windows Vista KMS key will activate Windows Vista KMS clients.

• A Windows Vista MAK.

If you want to downgrade to Windows XP, you must to use the Windows XP Professional key only.

Although they may choose to do so, customers do not have to use keys provided under a specific Licensing ID (agreement, enrollment, affiliate, or license) for use only with the licenses specified under that Licensing ID. Customers have this flexibility so they can centrally manage their deployment/image. They can choose to use keys specific to agreements/licenses, or one set of keys for all.

Activation is designed to provide a transparent activation experience for users. If activation does not occur within the grace period provided (normally 30 days), the computer transitions into notification mode. During notification mode, the user will see activation reminders during logon, and also notification in the Action Center. In addition, the desktop background is set to black.

Primary item to note: MAK and KMS keys are different from the keys used for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. First step for all who have access to VL keys and plan to use them is to read the documents on www.technet.com/volumeactivation before deployment so that they know what keys are available and how to use them.

Steps to help you with planning and management of deployments using MAK and KMS keys:

• All who have access to Volume License keys on the Volume License Service Center (VLSC) and plan to use them for Windows client and server should read the documents on the Windows Volume Activation page before deployment so that they know what keys are available and how to use them.

• Volume Licensing customers should also review who has permission to retrieve keys on the Volume License Service Center (VLSC) and make changes regarding permissions and contacts as necessary.

• Review enrollments/agreements/affiliates and decide how best to use the keys for deployment. Although they may choose to do so, customers do not have to use keys provided under a specific enrollment/agreement/affiliate for use only with the licenses specified under that enrollment/agreement/affiliate. For example, if they choose to use one set of keys for deployment across all branch offices, customers can request that their activations be increased or decreased on the keys as necessary. Customers do have some flexibility regarding the keys, but it is their responsibility regarding planning and management of these keys.

• Note: We cannot provide additional keys per enrollment due to both policy and system restrictions.