Run the PowerShell console as administrator and execute the following command: Install-WindowsFeature -Name VolumeActivation -IncludeAllSubFeature –IncludeManagementTools. Or, you can install and configure the KMS server role using PowerShell: You can install the KMS role using the Server Manager GUI (Server Manager > Add Roles and Features > Roles > Volume Activation Services). In this example, we will show how to install a KMS activation server on Windows Server 2019. You can install a KMS server on any version of Windows Server. KMS host is a special Windows Server role that can automate the activation of volume license Microsoft products (Windows and Office) and track their activation status. KMS infrastructure is simple and extensible, one KMS server can serve thousands of clients.ĭeploying KMS Activation Host on Windows Server 2019. Instead of a KMS activation, in the AD domain you can use the Active Directory optimized version-ADBA (Active Directory Based Activation). Install a new server, install KMS role, enter the KMS host key, activate-and everything is ready to go! In case the KMS server is damaged or lost, there is nothing to restore from backup on the KMS server. The KMS client is being activated on the internal KMS server for 180 days and attempts to renew the activation every 7 days. KMS clients do not need to access the Internet or the phone to activate the product (only network access to the KMS server is required). After that, your enterprise KMS clients can send activation requests to the KMS server and activate with it. The KMS infrastructure is very simple: install Volume Activation Services role on Windows Server, add your KMS Host Key (from Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center), and activate your corporate KMS server on Microsoft (perform this only once). The KMS activation server allows activating corporate versions of Windows OS and Microsoft Office products within the enterprise network. KMS (Key Management Service)-this is an activation type for enterprise customers. You must activate Windows copy with the MAK key installed via the Internet or by phone The number of activations is limited and depends on the type of your license agreement (Open, Select, or Enterprise Agreement).
MAK (Multiple Activation Keys)-MAK license is like a Retail (box) license, but allows to activate several instances of Windows using a single MAK key. They can use MAK or KMS keys for product activation. Microsoft offers two ways of Windows and MS Office activation for corporate customers under the Volume License program.