Guide - Installing KMS Services Windows 2012 R2



KMS Installation


Deploy Windows 2012 R2 onto you desired physical/virtual server.
Ensure the server is patched with the latest Windows Updates.
Add the Volume Activation Services Role to the server and select Next


Accept the defaults and click Add Features


Click Next


Click Install


Click Volume Activation Tools


Select KMS enter your server name and Click Next


Enter you KMS Host Key and click Commit


Click Next


Click Commit


Click Yes


Click Next


Install the KMS host update to allow activation of Windows 10 from a Windows Server 2012 R2 KMS host is installed. (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3058168)
If you will be using this KMS server to activate Office Products download the Office KMS host volume license packs:


Run the install


During the install the Wizard will open automatically, this is where you need to enter you KMS Key for the relevant Office product.


Once entered you will need to activate this by clicking Commit




Once completed you can then use the following command to verify the licenses installed
cscript slmgr.vbs /dli all
(You can Ctrl+C the text from the output if it does not fit on screen)


If you are removing an existing host, first you need to stop the old KMS server publishing in DNS:

cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /cdns

and create the following registry entry:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SL" /v DisableDnsPublishing /t REG_DWORD /d 1


Check to see if the old host record is still valid (and ensure you new one is)

nslookup -q=srv _vlmcs._tcp.DOMAIN.LOCAL

Remove the DNS record and then run the following on the old KMS server:

cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /upk

You will then need to install the KMS client key for that OS (as the old KMS server will no longer be activated)

cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /IPK XXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

The reactiveate the server (against your new KMS server)


cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /ato

Then restart the service:

Window 2008 and previous

net stop SLSVC
net start SLSVC

Window 2008R2 and later

net stop "Software Protection"
net start "Software Protection"


To check that the activation are hitting the KMS Server you can run 

cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /dli 

More troubleshooting tips can be found at:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/ee939272.aspx


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