Why use kms or mak

Microsoft has developed different types of keys so it suits a different kind of requirements of companies running Windows. The count is pre-configured as a deal between Microsoft and the Enterprise.

Every time a device is activated using the MAK key, this is what happens: The connection is established to Microsoft's own activation service; The key is then verified, i. However, there is a huge drawback with MAK keys. If the device goes through re-installation or the hard drive is wiped clean, the count is not returned or increased. This is specifically useful for clients where re-installation is rare, and the machine stays as is for a very long time.

So this can be the only device which stays connected with the internet. In short, the KMS server grabs the license from the client devices and then verifies it with the Microsoft licensing service.

The advantage you have with the KMS activations is in when Windows is installed on that computer again, the keys can be used to reactivate the same or another computer. This is why the devices that activated using KMS keys need to connect every days, otherwise, they would expire. KMS keys are used on devices which usually do not leave from the corporate network, or at least not for a very long period. FEW New member. Andy said:. Click to expand FEW said:.

However, if you download keys from the Licensing ID specific view on the Relationship Summary page, the file contains only the keys associated with the Licensing ID you are viewing. A downloadable Product Key file is in a tab-delimited format and can be opened in Excel to sort and view keys. You may also view the file using any text editor. To open a downloaded file in Excel, complete the following steps:. You can find more VLSC training resources on this site, including videos. Microsoft will respond to Web Form submissions within 24 hours.

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Privacy policy. Skip to main content. This browser is no longer supported. Download Microsoft Edge More info. Contents Exit focus mode. You can obtain a Setup Key in one of the following ways: Physical fulfillment - For products acquired through physical fulfillment, the Setup Key is printed on the media sleeve. Download fulfillment - For products acquired by download from the VLSC, the Setup Key is displayed on the download screen and may be accompanied by the following text: Some products available for download require Setup Keys.

Please take note of this Setup Key as it will be needed during product installation. Select Agreement customers receive Product Keys per product pool Systems, Servers, and Applications based on their purchasing forecasts. Open License customers and Open Value customers receive applicable Product Keys based on their license purchases. Note All customers have the right to use Product Keys for re-imaging and downgrade purposes. Volume activation is also used with other software from Microsoft most notably the Office suites that are sold under volume licensing agreements and that support volume activation Tools to manage volume activation of Office Volume Activation for Windows 10 Volume Activation applies only to systems that are covered under a Volume Licensing program and is used strictly as a tool for activation.

Either or both key types may be used by customers to activate systems in their organization: Key Management Service KMS allows organizations to activate systems within their own network. Important As part of your installation, it is important to plan and manage deployment of any product using Volume Activation. Activation Thresholds for Windows Your organization must have at least 5 computers to activate servers running Windows Server. Your organization must have at least 25 computers to activate client systems running Windows.

Activation Thresholds for Office Your organization must have at least 5 computers running an edition of Office to activate installed Office products using KMS. Product Name include version and edition.

Last 5 characters of the product key. The number of host activations required. Business Justification or Reason for Deployment. Product Name includes version and edition. MAK Proxy Activation - One centralized activation request is made on behalf of multiple computers with a single connection to Microsoft online or by telephone.

Refer to the following resources for assistance in determining which key to use when activating a Microsoft Volume License product: Read these Microsoft documents about Windows licensing and activation prior to deploying Windows or Windows Server. A patch is available to allow activation of Windows client machines. KMS works best with more than 50 computers, mostly desktops, and with a centralized set-up. This is due to the fact that it is highly dependent on a KMS host.

Even though a customer has the option to use several hosts, it is still ideal to maintain a single server; otherwise, it increases the risk on the integrity of the client-DNS-server connection, and not to mention, more maintenance and probable troubleshooting work.

It does not pose much limitation, no matter how your IT infrastructure is organized — regardless of whether it has multiple branches, high security networks, and uses a good mix of desktops and field computers.

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