Looking to build AD-based activation server and convert MAK to KMS

Question

Hi,

I'm looking to build an AD-based activation server for our Windows 2016 and 2019 servers. We currently have KMS for workstations running on Windows 10 and Office 2016. We also have servers on MAK but they'll be moved away from it once activation server is up.

Questions:

1. Will there be any issues running both activation server and KMS?
2. Does the server have to be online for activation to work or is activation done once server is joined on to the domain, and the server can be shut down?
3. Any tips on moving servers from MAK to AD-based activation?

Please feel free to comment if I've missed anything.

Thank you,
James.

Answer 1

Will there be any issues running both activation server and KMS?

No, both can be used.

Does the server have to be online for activation to work or is activation done once server is joined on to the domain, and the server can be shut down?

It need to be online, but it support to be offline for some time (+- 7 days), not forever. To quote Microsoft; After activating, the KMS clients try to renew their activation every seven days.

Any tips on moving servers from MAK to AD-based activation?

That part is straighforward. Activate your KMS host with a KMS key for your server. (check your volume licence for the key). After you simply activate the server with a KMS generic key with slmgr.

Like Windows Server 2022 Datacenter would be; slmgr /ipk WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33. See key there

Using that key make the server look for the DNS record to know where to register. The KMS clients use DNS SRV records (_vlmcs._tcp) to identify the KMS host. You need a minimum number of Windows Server to be activated with the KMS server to have the activation work.

In case of trouble check that article; https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/activation-troubleshoot-kms-general, it's a well wrote page that explain how to troubleshoot.

Answer 2

Hello

Thank you for your question and reaching out. I can understand you are having query related to AD based Activation.

Please note that that you can run ADBA next to KMS if you still have earlier operating systems or workgroup computers in your network.

1. No support for older Windows versions – ADBA can only activate Windows Server 2012/Windows 8.1 and above.
2. Domain-joined only – ADBA can activate domain-joined computers only

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Answer 3

Hello.
Will there be any issues running both activation server and KMS?

• both can be run at the same time, Active Directory Based Activation(ADBA) has a higher priority so it will be attempted first and then fall back to KMS.

Does the server have to be online for activation to work or is activation done once server is joined on to the domain, and the server can be shut down?
* For ADBA, the server needs to be on the domain, once it's activated the activation is good for 180 days, it attempts to renew after 7 days

Any tips on moving servers from MAK to AD-based activation?
I would suggest using VAMT ( Volume License Management tool) available in the Windows ADK ( Use the most current version))