Microsoft includes product activation technology in some products sold through the Volume Licensing channel. A product key is required to activate these products.
With Volume Licensing for the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems, you must use a new type of product activation called Volume Activation (VA). To activate these operating systems with VA, you can use either a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) or Key Management Service (KMS), requiring a KMS key.
Volume Activation (VA) applies to Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems. It helps automate and manage the activation process while addressing the piracy and product key management problems associated with keys issued for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.
You can use either or both VA methods in your organization:
Key Management Service (KMS) uses a KMS key to activate a KMS host machine and establish a local activation service in your environment. Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 systems connect to the KMS host for activation.
A Multiple Activation Key (MAK) is used to activate Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 systems directly with Microsoft's hosted activation servers.
Planning for VA needs to be part of your Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 deployment process.
Volume License Keys (VLK), including MAK and KMS, are issued to you under a specific license agreement and enable your organization to use the software and products that you have licensed.
VLKs can be used only with Volume Licensing products; they cannot be used with retail software or software that is preinstalled on a new computer (original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, products).
Learn about Volume Activation and how to activate systems using KMS and/or MAK.
Look up the product for which you need a key. Information on how to get your key will be displayed. Not all Volume Licensing products require a key. If a product is not listed, no key is required.
For most products, there are two ways to obtain your VLKs:
If you are using the ISV Royalty Licensing Program, or the High Volume Messaging Services Agreement (HVMS), keys are not available through the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC); you will need to request them by calling your Activation Center.
Some products licensed under Volume Licensing agreements use keys that cannot be obtained through the VLSC or the Microsoft Activation Center.
Keys are assigned to and intended for the sole use of your organization. You may be held responsible for unauthorized use of VLKs issued under your agreement, so be sure to keep your keys secure and do not disclose them to unauthorized parties. If you use the VLSC, you should regularly review and update the user permissions.
