Windows 7 Activation

[Skibby]

I am running Windows Server 2008 R1 and I am rolling out Windows 7 clients. I have both KMS and MAK keys for each operating system. Which do I need to install on the server in order to allow our Windows 7 client to activate?

 

Curently the only key that seems to work on the server is a server 2008 R2 MAK which obviously doesn't allow my Windows 7 clients to activate.

 

I was under the impression that installing the Windows 7 KMS would be backwardly compatable and should be put on the server but to no avail.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Ta.

[dirtydog]

there is some kind of script you need to run with the KMS key AFAIK on the server for it to act as a license server. it needs to reach a threshold of 25 clients (or 5 servers I think) requesting activation before they will activate though.

 

maybe look at the info/vids from Microsoft then you'll most likely be as confused as I am.

 

does anyone know of a tool that can run on the server to let me know how many machines have requested/been granted activation?

[SYNACK]

A KMS server can only have one key at a time, the key you want is a 2008r2 key if it is avalible to you as it will activate both 2008r2 and anything below it, ie Windows 7. If you do not have a liscence for it ie are not under a VL aggrement then you will need to use the Windows 7 key and activate the servers manually.

 

You will need at least 5 servers or 25 workstations to attempt to activate before it will activate the liscence pool and allow them to activate. This counts Vista clients also.

 

http://trycatch.be/blogs/roggenk/archive/2008/01/13/windows-server-2008-volume-activation-2-0-and-kms-key-management-server.aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd197314.aspx

Edited January 22, 2010 by SYNACK

[dirtydog]

A KMS server can only have one key at a time, the key you want is a 2008r2 key if it is avalible to you as it will activate both 2008r2 and anything below it, ie Windows 7.

 

I think we are using our Windows 2008 Data center to activate that and anything below - thanks for the links.

[robbie-w]

You need to use your KMS key on your windows server

 

To activate windows 7 I believe you need to be running windows server 2008 R2

 

Use slmgr.vbs to activate the kms key on the server

 

This creates an entry in your domain dns under _tcp VLMCS I think its called which points your clients to the activation server. Only use the KMS key on 1 server

 

It will need to "see" 25 unique clients before it will fully activate them

[Psymon]

A guide i wrote AAAAGES ago, still fully relevant apart from you need to use a 2008R2 Datacentre key on Server 2008 R2, or have installed the KMS Update for Server 2003 / 2008.

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows-server-2008/22736-vista-wds-key-management-service-kms.html

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/attachments/windows-server-2008/2295d1218459342-vista-wds-key-management-service-kms-installing-vista-wds-key-management-server.doc

 

Simon