what does server 2016 kms activate

[nathan3388]

hi I have installed server 2016 standard keys and want to activate windows 7 clients is this possible as I am always getting error

[round2it]

all windows versions I presume well it did when I added my server 2008 a few years back

[Arthur]

You need the KMS host key called Windows Srv 2016 DataCtr/Std KMS which is located in VLSC under:

 

Licenses (tab) > Relationship Summary > click your agreement number > Product Keys

 

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askpfeplat/2016/10/24/kms-activation-for-windows-server-2016/

[computer_expert]

Only install the KMS host key on one server - this will then be your KMS server. I think the host keys can only be activated 5 times before you have to contact microsoft for more activations.

 

Use the following keys on each client machine to activate via KMS: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys

 

Servers require a minimum of 5 servers to activate via KMS before they will successfully be activated

Clients require a minimum of 25 to contact the KMS server before successfully activating.

[nathan3388]

I forgot about the 25 activations first to get the service started. Did that and it did activate

[ricki]

You will need a Kms server to activate windows 7 but you can inject keys into domain for windows 10. You will find the keys in column licencing but not with program keys