KMS activation of Windows 7 using a Windows Server 2008 machine

  • Article

Hi there,

I’ve received quite a few queries on this subject recently so I believe this might be of interest :)

When activating Windows 7 through KMS, there are 3 “moving targets” you need to consider:

  1. The KMS host
  2. The KMS Volume License Key
  3. DNS

Between Windows Vista / Server 2008 and Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2, the KMS activation protocol was changed slightly and updated from Version 1.1 to 1.2. That means that the KMS host needs to be updated to support the license keys for Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2. You have 3 basic options:

Now that your KMS host is up to date (by the way, even if it isn’t explicitly noted, a reboot is usually required for those updates to actually come into effect), you need to install the right product key on your KMS host to enable it to activate your computers. KMS keys are downwards compatible, both in family and generation, meaning:

  • Family:
    • if your key can activate a Datacenter Server, it can also activate Enterprise Server
    • if it can activate Enterprise Server, it can also activate Standard Server
    • if it can activate Standard Server, it can also activate Web Server
    • if it can activate Web Server, it can also activate Windows 7
  • Generation
    • if your key can activate Server 2008 R2, it can also activate the Server 2008
    • if your key can activate Windows 7, it can also activate Windows Vista

(Full details are here: technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd878528.aspx)

Regarding DNS, if all is registered correctly, then this command should find your KMS server when executed from your clients:

nslookup -type=all _vlmcs._tcp

If not, please refer to the technet link above :)

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    Hi Daniel, thanks for this information. Very useful! Peter Forster, MVP Virtual Machine, Austria

  • Anonymous
    January 15, 2011
    Here you can get windows 7 vista or xp's activators and you can activate your windows easily in ONE click. http://windows7-activator.blog... download all version supported activators

  • Anonymous
    January 25, 2011
    www.windowsactivator.blogspot.com download from here activator for your windows 7 and for vista, windows7-activator.blogspot.com isnt functioning anymore.

  • Anonymous
    January 28, 2011
    if you want to download windows 7 activator or other windows activators than visit this link for more details ... www.windowsactivator.blogspot.com

  • Anonymous
    September 26, 2014
    What happens if you have the proper KMS key installed on the server, you get a response from the server when you do the nslookup -type=all _vlmcs._tcp, the time is correct on the client machines and you can ping the server running KMS but the client does not activate automatically? If I go in and run slmgr.vbs -skms :1688 and specify the server and then do the /ato to activate it works. Why is this not happening automatically???

  • Anonymous
    January 07, 2015
    I had to put my experience to tell you, I went to www.mskeystore.com. not only solved my problem and recommend it to friends say good, great job, but it only took me a little money, that makes me very happy .

  • Anonymous
    April 14, 2015
    I would like to share with you my experience, I went to http://www.vanskeys.com/">www.vanskeys.com to buy a key, to my surprise, their attitude is very good, but the key work is normal, there is very little money I spent, very happy the first purchase and recommend it to you.

  • Anonymous
    April 14, 2015
    I would like to share with you my experience, I went to http://www.vanskeys.com to buy a key, to my surprise, their attitude is very good, but the key work is normal, there is very little money I spent, very happy the first purchase and recommend it to you.

  • Anonymous
    October 07, 2015
    it is a little expensive my friend recommended strongly http://www.saveekey.com/">http://www.saveekey.com/ to me, and i visited the site. it looks good. . No Doubt. You can get good discount from here. I am also got discount from here. So i did suggest you to buy key from here.

  • Anonymous
    October 07, 2015
    i shared a link to you: http://www.saveekey.com/buy-windows-7-key-code-c-80.html.
    It's genuine.

  • Anonymous
    October 12, 2015
    http://www.Windows10Keysale.com/">Windows10Keysale.com

    Visit the site http://www.Windows10Keysale.com. I believe you will get what you want on the site. Besides, keep in mind that you also can communicate with them about the technicalproblem. They can help you with patient explanation and warm service.

  • Anonymous
    October 12, 2015
    ♠♠♠ http://www.Windows10KeySale.com

    Why not go to theauthorized online store http://www.Windows10KeySale.com ? Legalproduct key, easy purchasing process and efficient delivery via email. Save your time, guarantee your credential information and solve your problem quickly. You should have a try and will love this vendor, I promise!

    ♠♠♠ http://www.Windows10KeySale.com

  • Anonymous
    October 12, 2015
    http://www.WeNeedKey.com">WeNeedKey.com

    guPpthere is also the site that simply sell licenses only, is .
    I bought my license on earlier this year and I have not had an activating problem.
    should just find the iso operating system (I have downloaded from the Microsoft site, I do not know if is also easy for ), the site provides links but I think probably not in French.guPp


    http://www.WeNeedKey.com">WeNeedKey.com

  • Anonymous
    October 21, 2015
    www.vinhugo.com is the site to get Microsoft software, as well as other popular software. They have the lowest prices I have found and the service is excellent. The key and download link were delivered promptly. The ISOs they provide work perfectly to build virtual machines.

  • Anonymous
    October 21, 2015
    www.vinhugo.com is the site to get Microsoft software, as well as other popular software. They have the lowest prices I have found and the service is excellent. The key and download link were delivered promptly. The ISOs they provide work perfectly to build virtual machines.

  • Anonymous
    October 21, 2015
    http://www.vinhugo.com is the site to get Microsoft software, as well as other popular software. They have the lowest prices I have found and the service is excellent. The key and download link were delivered promptly. The ISOs they provide work perfectly to build virtual machines.

  • Anonymous
    October 24, 2015
    http://www.Windows10Keysale.com/">Windows10Keysale.com

    You are looking for a product key? Then, you can't miss the site http://www.Windows10Keysale.com/">Windows10Keysale.com . This is the professional vendor of Microsoft and provides product key for the windows 7, windows 8 and so on. Just click the link and have a look. You must love it.

    http://www.Windows10Keysale.com/">Windows10Keysale.com

  • Anonymous
    October 24, 2015
    ♠♠♠ http://www.Windows10KeySale.com

    You are looking for a product key? Then, you can't miss the site http://www.Windows10KeySale.com . This is the professional vendor of Microsoft and provides product key for the windows 7, windows 8 and so on. Just click the link and have a look. You must love it.

    ♠♠♠ http://www.Windows10KeySale.com

  • Anonymous
    October 29, 2015
    ♠♠♠ http://www.Windows10KeySale.com

    Having been used for several years, your computer may get crashed often? Every time when it goes crashed, you can just stand by anxiously? Or even want to buy a new and let this old one abandoned directly? Actually, it's not necessary at all! You can just upgrade your operating system by ordering a product key from the professional online sitehttp://www.Windows10KeySale.com you will feel like your PC is totally a new one. Also, you can chat with the guy on this site about your computer issue. You must get helpful answer and instruction ASAP.

    ♠♠♠ http://www.Windows10KeySale.com

  • Anonymous
    November 24, 2015
    http://www.Buywindows10keysale.com/">Buywindows10keysale.com
    Hearing all the negative sentiments toward the http://www.Buywindows10keysale.com/">cheap windows 10 pro key sale OS made me really cautious in upgrading from Windows 7.
    Finally, my Windows 7 became buggy enough that I decided it was time for me to go ahead and upgrade.
    The days of reformatting my hard drive and reinstalling Windows OS (95, 98, XP...), when the computer started to act up, are over. I got the pro upgrade version....for a really great price onhttp://www.Buywindows10keysale.com/ .
    I purchased all my software from them. They are the best online store I ever buy.
    Installation took a while, with lots of downloading and installing drivers, updates...etc.
    When it was finally done, computer was running a lot faster, and all of the weird behaviors of previous installation were gone.
    Now as far as using the new OS, it really wasn't that big of a deal. Yes, it's different from the previous Windows; but after 2 or 3 days, I've picked up so many cool features that I truly believe it's a superior OS compared to the previous Windows releases. Really.
    The interface is quite convenient once you figure out how to use all the features and what happens when you move your cursor around the screen.
    Oh, yeah, and I don't have a touchscreen. Although I'm certain that a touchscreen would definitely be a more effective way to navigate Windows 8, I really have no problems using just the mouse.
    So, there you have it. I love this new OS.

  • Anonymous
    February 20, 2016
    http://www.Windows10KeyShop.com/

    I am afraid that you are unable to activate your Windows 10 Education Product Key without a product key. You can just order one from the online sitehttp://www.Windows10KeyShop.com/ cooperated with Microsoft. All the product keys are legitimate and official. Then just activate your Windows 10 Education Product Key with the purchased product key. The activation process is simple and easy to operate.

    http://www.Windows10KeyShop.com/

  • Anonymous
    February 20, 2016
    http://www.Windows10KeyShop.com/

    In order to activate your Windows 10 Education Product Key, you just need to get a product key from the sitehttp://www.Windows10KeyShop.com/ . It's the legal copy and you will experience a good after-sale service. The site not only provides product key for Windows 10 Education Product Key, but also windows 8 and so on. If you have any technical problem, you also can contact the service department online. Don't worry. Any such problem, just contact them and you will get support.

    http://www.Windows10KeyShop.com/