Windows Server 8 comes with a new role called Volume Activation Services. The Volume Activation Service allows IT administrators to enable volume activation for domain joined systems using a Key Management Service Host (KMS) or Active Directory based Activation. This means in theory that going forward there is no need anymore to install and manage [...]
Archive of posts filed under the Licensing category.
ReadTip: Resources for Windows and Office license activation with XenDesktop
Below just a few resources I have collected related to Windows and Office license activation with XenDesktop. Licensing is not an exciting topic but we have to deal with it anyway. KMS Configuration using Citrix Provisioning Services Citrix Managing Microsoft KMS Volume Licensing Citrix Configuring Microsoft MAK Volume Licensing Citrix XenDesktop 5 Support Statement for [...]
ReadTip: General (Windows) activation concepts (KMS/MAK)
A great article from Kevin Ledman – Microsoft Platforms Support, covering the following topics around Windows activation: What is KMS? What is MAK? What do you consider your ‘current operating systems? How do I know what I have available to me? I see both keys on the volume website, so I guess I have both [...]
Tip: How to troubleshoot KMS Activation problems
Here are some good resources for KMS troubleshooting: MS KB 938450 How to troubleshoot Volume Activation error codes on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista-based computers. TechNet article How to troubleshoot the Key Management Service (KMS)
Windows 7 Product Activation Methods
Today I was asked whether Windows 7 Ultimate can be activated through KMS, since we’re primarily busy with Windows 7 Enterprise I couldn’t instantly provide an answer (I prefer to first check out things instead of providing an incorrect answer). So unless I have overlooked something…… only Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise can be activated [...]
Frequently Asked Questions About Volume License Keys
A good FAQ about Microsoft Volume licensing. Details here
Office 2010 KMS Server Requirements
Although I have been working with Office 2010 for a while, I wasn’t aware of the KMS Server specific requirements until today when we were asked to load the Office 2010 KMS key into one of our customers KMS servers. A dedicated server is not needed to run KMS for Office 2010. A KMS host [...]
Identifying KMS Servers
Assume you are at a client site and plan to deploy a Windows Server (2008 / 2008-R2) or Windows Clients (Windows Vista / Windows 7) and want to check if they do already have KMS Services running on their network. It’s very simple. Just open a command prompt and type the following command: nslookup -type=srv [...]
Getting access to Windows 7 Evaluation installation sources
Most IT pro’s probably don’t have a problem in getting access to the Windows 7 operating system installation sources because they can access them through their corporate volume license agreement and/or MSDN or TechNet subscription. But unfortunately there are still some out there who do not have such easy access to these sources. For the [...]
Windows Licensing Fact Sheet
Has your organization ever acquired PCs without operating systems preinstalled, and then used its Volume Licensing agreement to install the full operating system on those PCs? Download the Windows Licensing Fact Sheet to learn more about Windows Licensing.
