Microsoft Volume Activation - Converting a Windows Computer to and from KMS and MAK Activation
This document shows how to convert a Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 Education, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB, or Windows 2012 Server computer to and from KMS activation and MAK activation, as well as help determine which activation type is currently in use. These activations are available for faculty and staff using departmental machines. Other versions of Windows are not eligible for KMS or MAK activation.
See Volume Activation 2.0 at UW-Madison for the full details of MAK and KMS activation at UW Madison.
Contents:
Converting a Windows Computer From KMS to MAK Activation
Converting a Windows Computer From MAK to KMS Activation
Determining Windows Activation type
Converting a Windows Computer From KMS to MAK Activation
- Click Start. In the Search box, type:
System
Click on System in the search results
- Click Change product key in the Windows activation section at the bottom of the System menu.
Click Yes at the User Account Control prompt to open the Windows Activation Client
4. Enter the MAK activation key from the windows disk you received into the Product Key field and click the Next button.
You may be prompted to Activate Windows. Click Next
5. Click the Close button once the activation is complete
Converting a Windows Computer From MAK to KMS Activation
For VMWare guests in NAT network mode, you must specify the kms host - skip directly to step 4
1. Locate the Windows product key for your version of Windows
Refer to the KMS Client Setup Keys Microsoft doc for KMS client setup keys.
2. Launch a command window with elevated privileges
Type cmd in the Search bar to locate the command window.
Right-click on cmd or Command Prompt and click Run as administrator from the context menu.
Click Yes at the User Account Control prompt to open the command window with elevated privileges.
3. Type the following command:
cscript slmgr.vbs -ipk
In place of
4. Press Enter.
5. Type the following command:
cscript slmgr.vbs -skms ms-kms-1.services.wisc.edu
6. Press Enter.
- Type the following command:
cscript slmgr.vbs -ato- Press Enter.
Determining Windows Activation type
1. Launch a command window with elevated privileges
Type cmd in the Search bar to locate the command window.
Right-click on cmd or Command Prompt and click Run as administrator from the context menu Click Yes at the User Account Control prompt to open the command window with elevated privileges.
2. In the command prompt window, type the following command: cscript slmgr.vbs /dli
3. Press Enter.
4. Check your version:
If Windows is KMS activated, you will see "VOLUME_KMSCLIENT" in the Description field
4. If Windows is MAK activated, you will see "VOLUME_MAK" in the Description field
5. Close the Command Prompt Window