Software Asset Management (SAM)
Microsoft Product Lifecycle
Microsoft Audits
Microsoft Enterprise Agreement
License Types
Retail Licenses
OLP/Volume licenses
OEM Licences
[...]
Key Management Service (KMS)
25 april 2024
Key Management Service (KMS) uses a client-server model for active Windows clients. This is used for volume activation on the local network. KMS clients connect to a KMS server, called the KMS host, for activation. The KMS clients that the KMS host can activate depends on a host key that is then used to activate the KMS host.
What is Key Management Service?
Key Management Service is a method of activating Microsoft's products. Activation ensures that the software is obtained from Microsoft. KMS is used by customers who have volume licences. Volume licences are usually used by medium to large companies, non-profit organisations and schools. To use a KMS, however, a KMS host must first be present on the local network. Computers activated with a KMS host must have a specific product key. This product key is also known as the KMS client key. However, at a formal level, it is also called Microsoft Generic Volume License Key (GVLK). The computers running volume licence editions of Windows Server and Windows client are KMS clients by default without the need for any additional customisation. This is because the GVLK is already in place. However, there are a few scenarios where the GVLK does need to be added to the computer to be activated. See below for some scenarios:
- A computer needs to be converted that uses a Multiple Activation Key (MAK).
- A retail licence from Windows needs to be converted to a KMS client.
- The computer was previously a KMS host.
*It is important that a KMS host must be available on the local network for the keys mentioned above. More information on how to create a KMS host is explained below.
Installing product key
When a computer is converted from a KMS host, MAK, or Retail version of Windows to a KMS client then a product key (GLVK) must be installed. The user must open an administrative command prompt on the client and then execute the following command:
slmgr /ipk
Here, the user enters the client's product key in the place of the ''
slmgr /ipk WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33
The tables below show the generic volume licence keys (GLVK) for each version and edition of Windows.
Windows Server 2022
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter | WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33 |
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Azure Edition | NTBV8-9K7Q8-V27C6-M2BTV-KHMXV |
Windows Server 2022 Standard | VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H |
Windows Server 2019
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter | WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG |
Windows Server 2019 Standard | N69G4-B89J2-4G8F4-WWYCC-J464C |
Windows Server 2019 Essentials | WVDHN-86M7X-466P6-VHXV7-YY726 |
Windows Server 2016
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter | CB7KF-BWN84-R7R2Y-793K2-8XDDG |
Windows Server 2016 Standard | WC2BQ-8NRM3-FDDYY-2BFGV-KHKQY |
Windows Server 2016 Essentials | JCKRF-N37P4-C2D82-9YXRT-4M63B |
Windows Server (Semi-Annual Channel versions)
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Windows Server Datacenter | 6NMRW-2C8FM-D24W7-TQWMY-CWH2D |
Windows Server Standard | N2KJX-J94YW-TQVFB-DG9YT-724CC |
Windows 11 & Windows 10 (Semi-Annual Channel versions)
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Windows 11 Pro Windows 10 Pro | W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX |
Windows 11 Pro N Windows 10 Pro N | MH37W-N47XK-V7XM9-C7227-GCQG9 |
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations Windows 10 Pro for Workstations | NRG8B-VKK3Q-CXVCJ-9G2XF-6Q84J |
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations N Windows 10 Pro for Workstations N | 9FNHH-K3HBT-3W4TD-6383H-6XYWF |
Windows 11 Pro Education Windows 10 Pro Education | 6TP4R-GNPTD-KYYHQ-7B7DP-J447Y |
Windows 11 Pro Education N Windows 10 Pro Education N | YVWGF-BXNMC-HTQYQ-CPQ99-66QFC |
Windows 11 Education Windows 10 Education | NW6C2-QMPVW-D7KKK-3GKT6-VCFB2 |
Windows 11 Education N Windows 10 Education N | 2WH4N-8QGBV-H22JP-CT43Q-MDWWJ |
NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43 | |
Windows 11 Enterprise N Windows 10 Enterprise N | DPH2V-TTNVB-4X9Q3-TJR4H-KHJW4 |
Windows 11 Enterprise G Windows 10 Enterprise G | M7XTQ-FN8P6-TTKYV-9D4CC-J462D |
Windows 11 Enterprise G N Windows 10 Enterprise G N | 44RPN-FTY23-9VTTB-MP9BX-T84FV |
Windows 10 LTSC 2021 & 2019
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 | CB7KF-BWN84-R7R2Y-793K2-8XDDG |
Windows 10 Enterprise N LTSC 2021 Windows 10 Enterprise N LTSC 2019 | 92NFX-8DJQP-P6BBQ-THF9C-7CG2H |
Windows 10 LTSB 2016
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 | DCPHK-NFMTC-H88MJ-PFHPY-QJ4BJ |
Windows 10 Enterprise N LTSB 2016 | QFFDN-GRT3P-VKWWX-X7T3R-8B639 |
Windows 10 LTSB 2015
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB | WNMTR-4C88C-JK8YV-HQ7T2-76DF9 |
Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB N | 2F77B-TNFGY-69QQF-B8YKP-D69TJ |
Office LTSC 2021
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 | FXYTK-NJJ8C-GB6DW-3DYQT-6F7TH |
Office LTSC Standard 2021 | KDX7X-BNVR8-TXXGX-4Q7Y8-78VT3 |
Project Professional 2021 | FTNWT-C6WBT-8HMGF-K9PRX-QV9H8 |
Project Standard 2021 | J2JDC-NJCYY-9RGQ4-YXWMH-T3D4T |
Visio LTSC Professional 2021 | KNH8D-FGHT4-T8RK3-CTDYJ-K2HT4 |
Visio LTSC Standard 2021 | MJVNY-BYWPY-CWV6J-2RKRT-4M8QG |
Access LTSC 2021 | WM8YG-YNGDD-4JHDC-PG3F4-FC4T4 |
Excel LTSC 2021 | NWG3X-87C9K-TC7YY-BC2G7-G6RVC |
Outlook LTSC 2021 | C9FM6-3N72F-HFJXB-TM3V9-T86R9 |
PowerPoint LTSC 2021 | TY7XF-NFRBR-KJ44C-G83KF-GX27K |
Publisher LTSC 2021 | 2MW9D-N4BXM-9VBPG-Q7W6M-KFBGQ |
Skype for Business LTSC 2021 | HWCXN-K3WBT-WJBKY-R8BD9-XK29P |
Word LTSC 2021 | TN8H9-M34D3-Y64V9-TR72V-X79KV |
Office 2019
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Office Professional Plus 2019 | NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP |
Office Standard 2019 | 6NWWJ-YQWMR-QKGCB-6TMB3-9D9HK |
Project Professional 2019 | B4NPR-3FKK7-T2MBV-FRQ4W-PKD2B |
Project Standard 2019 | C4F7P-NCP8C-6CQPT-MQHV9-JXD2M |
Visio Professional 2019 | 9BGNQ-K37YR-RQHF2-38RQ3-7VCBB |
Visio Standard 2019 | 7TQNQ-K3YQQ-3PFH7-CCPPM-X4VQ2 |
Access 2019 | 9N9PT-27V4Y-VJ2PD-YXFMF-YTFQT |
Excel 2019 | TMJWT-YYNMB-3BKTF-644FC-RVXBD |
Outlook 2019 | 7HD7K-N4PVK-BHBCQ-YWQRW-XW4VK |
PowerPoint 2019 | RRNCX-C64HY-W2MM7-MCH9G-TJHMQ |
Publisher 2019 | G2KWX-3NW6P-PY93R-JXK2T-C9Y9V |
Skype for Business 2019 | NCJ33-JHBBY-HTK98-MYCV8-HMKHJ |
Word 2019 | PBX3G-NWMT6-Q7XBW-PYJGG-WXD33 |
Office 2016
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Office Professional Plus 2016 | XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99 |
Office Standard 2016 | JNRGM-WHDWX-FJJG3-K47QV-DRTFM |
Project Professional 2016 | YG9NW-3K39V-2T3HJ-93F3Q-G83KT |
Project Standard 2016 | GNFHQ-F6YQM-KQDGJ-327XX-KQBVC |
Visio Professional 2016 | PD3PC-RHNGV-FXJ29-8JK7D-RJRJK |
Visio Standard 2016 | 7WHWN-4T7MP-G96JF-G33KR-W8GF4 |
Access 2016 | GNH9Y-D2J4T-FJHGG-QRVH7-QPFDW |
Excel 2016 | 9C2PK-NWTVB-JMPW8-BFT28-7FTBF |
OneNote 2016 | DR92N-9HTF2-97XKM-XW2WJ-XW3J6 |
Outlook 2016 | R69KK-NTPKF-7M3Q4-QYBHW-6MT9B |
PowerPoint 2016 | J7MQP-HNJ4Y-WJ7YM-PFYGF-BY6C6 |
Publisher 2016 | F47MM-N3XJP-TQXJ9-BP99D-8K837 |
Skype for Business 2016 | 869NQ-FJ69K-466HW-QYCP2-DDBV6 |
Word 2016 | WXY84-JN2Q9-RBCCQ-3Q3J3-3PFJ6 |
Andere Office producten
Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
Access 2019 | NR2B6-YBFTG-JFMKK-FGDKF-GX2DJ |
Access 2019 - Volume License | 9N9PT-27V4Y-VJ2PD-YXFMF-YTFQT |
Access 2021 | P7GPV-TNCRV-YQRDY-VXFFH-YY8RK |
Access LTSC - Volume License | WM8YG-YNGDD-4JHDC-PG3F4-FC4T4 |
Access 2016 | HFVHN-X2X8D-67VCH-HF69K-P379P |
Access Runtime 2019 | JQ36N-4J2GD-M7WP7-WV2DQ-G84QR |
Access Runtime 2016 | TTB3B-NT2JQ-YBBFK-76BX4-JHV3V |
Access 2016 - Volume License | GNH9Y-D2J4T-FJHGG-QRVH7-QPFDW |
Excel 2019 | R9Q2B-N7FCB-66HFM-6WJ6T-TJHHK |
Excel 2019 - Volume License | TMJWT-YYNMB-3BKTF-644FC-RVXBD |
Excel 2021 | J2B4N-TKGVF-9GKM3-86QGC-Q3Y68 |
Excel LTSC - Volume License | NWG3X-87C9K-TC7YY-BC2G7-G6RVC |
Excel 2016 | YY6CN-WVPG8-T72BH-QB6QH-RGDRJ |
Excel 2016 - Volume License | 9C2PK-NWTVB-JMPW8-BFT28-7FTBF |
Office Home and Business 2019 | 3F4GT-DN2RR-B89CP-8KVPC-J46MR |
Office Home and Business 2021 | QGTQ3-RNVPB-6YJ23-Y32R4-X2HMD |
Office Home and Business Premium | NMRD9-JVD2M-7MDJG-3DBC4-GXWPX |
Office Home and Business 2016 | NKVRG-XP9FX-FKFRD-2HXY2-D6928 |
Office Home and Student 2019 | NTMYR-DM4C3-MHK32-7QBRC-RVXB8 |
Office Home and Student 2021 | PB2D6-G4NJR-4CD7B-DF7RH-9BXFH |
Office Home and Student 2016 | RGNMP-V32H3-QBWXM-BF7XR-DJ3QD |
Office Home and Student 2016 | T2NP2-GM3V4-VYBYW-HT963-B99M9 |
Office Mondo 2016 | DMTCJ-KNRKX-26982-JYCKT-P7KB6 |
Office Mondo 2016 - Volume License | HFTND-W9MK4-8B7MJ-B6C4G-XQBR2 |
Microsoft 365 Apps for business | NCHRJ-3VPGW-X73DM-6B36K-3RQ6B |
Microsoft 365 | 8843N-BCXXD-Q84H8-R4Q37-T3CPT |
Microsoft 365 (Family & Personal) | 9FNY8-PWWTY-8RY4F-GJMTV-KHGM9 |
Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise | DRNV7-VGMM2-B3G9T-4BF84-VMFTK |
Microsoft 365 Small Business Premium | 3FBRX-NFP7C-6JWVK-F2YGK-H499R |
OneNote Home and Student 2016 | 2Q3PN-37DFW-R7HGQ-6JPHP-6JJJM |
OneNote 2021 | XN9Q3-RDV2X-Y4BRC-Q8MP2-7CFGB |
OneNote 2016 | NX3MW-3T26X-HJDRX-R39KV-94THG |
OneNote 2016 - Volume License | DR92N-9HTF2-97XKM-XW2WJ-XW3J6 |
Outlook 2019 | Q2KN3-2QH4F-CXJM6-KVF7Y-F9DX8 |
Outlook 2019 - Volume License | 7HD7K-N4PVK-BHBCQ-YWQRW-XW4VK |
Outlook 2021 | C4N44-RP6HX-YK9DY-Y6VB7-MBMCJ |
Outlook LTSC - Volume License | C9FM6-3N72F-HFJXB-TM3V9-T86R9 |
Outlook 2016 | DR7HN-K76WM-TQC9V-34PRK-BKMX7 |
Outlook 2016 - Volume License | R69KK-NTPKF-7M3Q4-QYBHW-6MT9B |
Office Personal 2019 | VQFTQ-GNRXK-HCVHQ-DWJDJ-JFJHV |
Office Personal 2021 | WN2B7-QJPXV-93VY2-6WTH3-BHC6H |
Office Personal Premium | RV7NR-XV7HY-VM488-H6JCC-J4287 |
Office Personal 2016 | CJKFJ-WNWBK-29CW7-P9786-C9X7Y |
PowerPoint 2019 | 7FJ6Q-QNFB8-BGXGQ-FFWMV-9BWH2 |
PowerPoint 2019 - Volume License | RRNCX-C64HY-W2MM7-MCH9G-TJHMQ |
PowerPoint 2021 | 3Y77Q-NB84W-94BJJ-X2BPC-BTGVJ |
PowerPoint LTSC - Volume License | TY7XF-NFRBR-KJ44C-G83KF-GX27K |
PowerPoint 2016 | 23GNX-8FTCJ-THJBB-DVGMH-BDW7J |
PowerPoint 2016 - Volume License | J7MQP-HNJ4Y-WJ7YM-PFYGF-BY6C6 |
Office Professional 2019 | 7PND3-J7G8B-9M7V3-8VXHR-QGQYY |
Office Professional 2021 | G7R2D-6NQ7C-CX62B-9YR9J-DGRYH |
Office Professional Premium | Q6NGD-M6J3Y-29HGJ-3RB6Y-G29KC |
Office Professional 2016 | J2VPX-NMM9V-TPYKJ-P7VT2-3YJDQ |
Project Professional 2019 | GP2G7-N7P9M-MGVJB-PK9GM-B4JJJ |
Project Professional 2019 - Volume License | B4NPR-3FKK7-T2MBV-FRQ4W-PKD2B |
Project Professional 2021 | BN7TR-MVXBP-VVR8B-G6WDG-FVYFG |
Project Professional 2021 - Volume License | FTNWT-C6WBT-8HMGF-K9PRX-QV9H8 |
Project Professional 2016 | GJN26-8DV6F-76VJT-PMF6Y-92FK9 |
Project Professional 2016 - Volume License | YG9NW-3K39V-2T3HJ-93F3Q-G83KT |
Project Professional 2016 - Volume License | WGT24-HCNMF-FQ7XH-6M8K7-DRTW9 |
Project Standard 2019 | RMCNH-6MH3J-VD843-Y4THK-RM7PJ |
Project Standard 2019 - Volume License | C4F7P-NCP8C-6CQPT-MQHV9-JXD2M |
Project Standard 2021 | NM67Q-YGTRY-898DB-67RF6-QYMFQ |
Project Standard 2021 - Volume License | J2JDC-NJCYY-9RGQ4-YXWMH-T3D4T |
Project Standard 2016 | CXTPN-YWF37-D3TPH-6DHJH-6XX33 |
Project Standard 2016 - Volume License | GNFHQ-F6YQM-KQDGJ-327XX-KQBVC |
Project Standard 2016 - Volume License | D8NRQ-JTYM3-7J2DX-646CT-6836M |
Office Professional Plus 2019 | Y64MN-DK448-Q3VK7-YBTP3-8MBCX |
Office Professional Plus 2019 - Volume License | NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP |
Office Professional Plus 2021 | YNYDT-B8RMY-G8WJX-RPTY2-PG343 |
Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 - Volume License | FXYTK-NJJ8C-GB6DW-3DYQT-6F7TH |
Office Professional Plus 2016 | CYC3N-BHX8G-QJVJV-H2WWP-BTDRB |
Office Professional Plus 2016 - Volume License | XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99 |
Publisher 2019 | JPGNM-X3K7H-KHGQC-JHWDD-CBBC2 |
Publisher 2019 - Volume License | G2KWX-3NW6P-PY93R-JXK2T-C9Y9V |
Publisher 2021 | JK2N9-C82GT-YJRTK-TT8C7-46346 |
Publisher LTSC - Volume License | 2MW9D-N4BXM-9VBPG-Q7W6M-KFBGQ |
Publisher 2016 | 9RN37-FCBGH-T36YR-TTJF6-GMVFC |
Publisher 2016 - Volume License | F47MM-N3XJP-TQXJ9-BP99D-8K837 |
Skype for Business 2019 | 38N83-G89F7-8F67C-TH2KM-G3C7Y |
Skype for Business 2019 - Volume License | NCJ33-JHBBY-HTK98-MYCV8-HMKHJ |
Skype for Business 2021 | H4TN4-FQXYB-B74CH-WF7D4-YTGX3 |
Skype for Business LTSC - Volume License | HWCXN-K3WBT-WJBKY-R8BD9-XK29P |
Skype for Business Basic 2019 | CGRNC-VC826-JJJX8-Y7MHW-6MWMK |
Skype for Business Basic 2016 | JXN88-22KXV-YR73M-JCT8M-HT9YM |
Skype for Business 2016 | DNCD4-JDKR3-WQQCY-47GYX-JXCV3 |
Skype for Business 2016 - Volume License | 869NQ-FJ69K-466HW-QYCP2-DDBV6 |
Skype for Business 2016 | 69R22-7NYPW-PCXGG-Q6KBJ-K2DJB |
Office Standard 2019 | MKFY8-QNW8D-YKV28-H2CJD-Y4JMV |
Office Standard 2019 - Volume License | 6NWWJ-YQWMR-QKGCB-6TMB3-9D9HK |
Office Standard 2021 | RXK2W-N42KP-FT9W3-Q7DG8-TRBHK |
Office LTSC Standard 2021 - Volume License | KDX7X-BNVR8-TXXGX-4Q7Y8-78VT3 |
Office Standard 2016 | PCCXN-7MKB3-F986V-V6HV4-CR4MR |
Office Standard 2016 - Volume License | JNRGM-WHDWX-FJJG3-K47QV-DRTFM |
Visio Professional 2019 | GFNR9-GJ3T6-2GHCR-QF6CT-684YW |
Visio Professional 2019 - Volume License | 9BGNQ-K37YR-RQHF2-38RQ3-7VCBB |
Visio Professional 2021 | 6PKRH-BNYBM-JWY82-4PBJ8-Q7DBB |
Visio LTSC Professional 2021 - Volume License | KNH8D-FGHT4-T8RK3-CTDYJ-K2HT4 |
Visio Professional 2016 | BB6YN-3W2C6-R82H2-PTBMF-F6YYT |
Visio Professional 2016 - Volume License | PD3PC-RHNGV-FXJ29-8JK7D-RJRJK |
Visio Professional 2016 - Volume License | 69WXN-MBYV6-22PQG-3WGHK-RM6XC |
Visio Standard 2019 | 79NH8-K7F3C-YBF8P-3WMYC-V8TWH |
Visio Standard 2019 - Volume License | 7TQNQ-K3YQQ-3PFH7-CCPPM-X4VQ2 |
Visio Standard 2021 | QFNR2-YGMTQ-7PYYT-667D2-V8VVX |
Visio LTSC Standard 2021 - Volume License | MJVNY-BYWPY-CWV6J-2RKRT-4M8QG |
Visio Standard 2016 | NJFDP-X46PK-M7DBR-VMHW6-MKMYV |
Visio Standard 2016 - Volume License | 7WHWN-4T7MP-G96JF-G33KR-W8GF4 |
Visio Standard 2016 - Volume License ODT supported | NY48V-PPYYH-3F4PX-XJRKJ-W4423 |
Word 2019 | 6NR9R-48TXM-KDFFX-RHHYT-PDPCD |
Word 2019 - Volume License | PBX3G-NWMT6-Q7XBW-PYJGG-WXD33 |
Word 2021 | 4KCVN-HRKJM-H3QRP-3HY3Y-39Q76 |
Word LTSC - Volume License | TN8H9-M34D3-Y64V9-TR72V-X79KV |
Word 2016 | YVD87-NXWK4-8PYQP-GT8KT-YG92Y |
Word 2016 - Volume License | WXY84-JN2Q9-RBCCQ-3Q3J3-3PFJ6 |
Setting up KMS host
KMS uses a single client-server model for active Windows clients. These are used for volume activation on the local network. The KMS clients that a KMS host can activate depend on host keys. For example, one KMS host can support an unlimited number of KMS clients. But if there are more than 50 clients, it is recommended to have at least two KMS hosts. This way, users have a backup if a KMS host becomes unavailable. Organisations therefore often have two KMS hosts for their entire infrastucture.
KMS hosts do not have to be dedicated servers, by the way, and KMS can be co-hosted with other services. Users can run a KMS host on any physical or virtual system where a supported Windows Server or Windows client operating system can be run. By default, KMS hosts automatically publish SRV resource records in DNS. This allows KMS clients to automatically look for a KMS host. Activating it is also automatic, without the need for any configuration on the KMS client. The user can also choose to disable the 'automatic publishing' feature. Furthermore, the user can create the records manually, incidentally, this is also required for automatic activation as the DNS service does not support dynamic updates.
To set up a KMS host, the user must have the following:
- A computer running Windows or Windows Server.
- The user account being used must be a member of the Administrators group on the KMS host.
- A KMS host key for the organisation.
If the user has the above requirements then the following steps can be performed to install and configure a KMS host:
- From a PowerShell session with elevated authority, execute the following command to install the Volume Activation Services role:
Install-WindowsFeature -Name VolumeActivation -IncludeManagementTools
2. Next, configure the Windows Firewall to allow the Key Management Service to receive network traffic. The user can allow this for all network profiles or for each domain, private and public network profiles. By default, a KMS host is configured to use TCP on port 1688. Below is the command to configure the firewall rule to allow network traffic only for domain and private network profiles.
Set-NetFirewallRule -Name SPPSVC-In-TCP -Profile Domain,Private -Enabled True
3.In Powershell, launch the Volume Activation Tool wizard by running the following command.
vmw.exe
4. Select Next on the introduction screen. Then select Key Management Service as the activation type and enter localhost to specify the local server or hostname of the server to be configured.
5. Select Install KMS host key, then enter the product key for the organisation click Commit.
- When the product key is installed then the product needs to be activated. Click Next.
- Select the product to be activated from the drop-down menu and then select whether to activate the product online or over the phone. Once the choice has been made, select Commit.
- Once activation is successful, then the KMS host configuration is displayed. Here, adjustments can be made based on the desired requirements. If this is the case then Close can be clicked to close the wizard completely. When the wizard is closed then DNS records are created. After this, the user can start activating KMS clients.
Creating DNS records manually
If DNS service does not support dynamic updates, then source records must be created manually so that the KMS host can be published. Manual DNS source records for KMS can be created using the information below:
Property | Value |
Type | SRV |
Service/Name | _vlmcs |
Protocol | _tcp |
Priority | 0 |
Weight | 0 |
Port number | 1688 |
Hostname | FQDN of the KMS host |
*Change the default port number if it has been previously changed in the KMS host configuration.
The user should also disable publishing on all KMS hosts if the DNS service does not support dynamic updates. This will prevent failed DNS publishing events from being collected in event logs.
Disabling publishing of DNS records
Publishing DNS records by the KMS host can be disabled by following these steps:
- Launch the Volume Activation Tools wizard. This can be done by running vmw.exe again in PowerShell.
- Then click Next on the introduction screen. After this, select Key Management Service as the activation type and type localhost to indicate the local server or hostname of the server to be configured.
- Next, click Go to configuration and then select Next.
- Remove hot check mark for Publish DNS records and then click Commit. Once Commit is clicked, publishing DNS records is successfully disabled.