for
Windows Vista® and Windows Server® 2008
Microsoft Corporation
Published: March, 2008
Abstract
Volume activation is designed to automate
and manage the activation process for volume licensing customers. This document
is intended for IT implementers and decision makers who need an introduction to
product activation, volume licensing, and Volume Activation 2.0.
Table of Contents
Product
Activation
Activation Policy
Why Is Activation
Necessary?
Does Activation
Protect Privacy?
Activation Options
Retail
Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
Volume Licensing
Volume Activation 2.0
Models
Key Management
Service (KMS)
Multiple
Activation Key (MAK)
What If Systems Are Not
Activated?
Grace Period
Grace Period
Expiration
Product Keys
Summary
Next Steps
Product Activation
Product activation is the process of validating
software with the manufacturer. Activation confirms the genuine status of a
product and that the product key is not compromised. It is analogous to the
activation of credit cards or new mobile phones. Activation establishes a relationship
between the software’s product key and a particular installation of that
software on a device.
Activation Policy
Previously, activation for Microsoft®
Windows® was required only for Microsoft software purchased from
retail stores and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Operating system
licenses purchased through volume licensing programs did not require
activation. Additionally, available activation methods made it difficult to control
product keys that came with volume editions of Microsoft software. Because of
this, product keys for volume editions of Windows XP and Microsoft Windows
Server® 2003 were easily compromised and became the primary source
of pirated software. In fact, over 80% of Windows XP piracy is due to the
accidental leaking of product keys issued to volume customers. To address this
issue, Microsoft introduced a new activation policy for Windows Vista®
and Windows Server 2008®.
Microsoft's policy requires the activation of
all editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 operating systems,
including those obtained through a volume licensing program. This requirement
applies to Windows running on both physical computers and virtual machines.
Volume Activation 2.0 (VA 2.0) is a new set of tools that helps customers with
this new requirement. It automates the process of activation on computers
running volume editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.
Note: Volume Activation 2.0 is part of the Microsoft Software Protection
Platform (SPP). SPP is designed to help fight piracy, protect consumers from
the risks of counterfeit software, and better enable volume license customers
to manage their software assets. For more information about SPP go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=107548.
Why Is Activation Necessary?
Counterfeiting is a significant problem for the
software industry. According to a recent study by the Business Software
Alliance, 35% of all PC software installed worldwide during 2006 was obtained
illegally. While the financial impacts are serious to the software manufacturers
and vendors, the impact of counterfeit software goes beyond revenue loss to
software manufacturers. Many consumers who end up with a counterfeit copy of
Microsoft software are unwitting victims of a crime. Additionally, counterfeit
software is increasingly becoming a vehicle for the distribution of viruses and
malware that can target unsuspecting users, potentially exposing them to
corruption or loss of personal or business data and identity theft.
Note: For more information about the Business Software Alliance study, go
to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=110330.
Does Activation Protect Privacy?
All methods of activation used by Microsoft are
designed to help protect user privacy. Data that is sent during activation is
not traceable back to the computer or user. The data that is gathered is used
to confirm that you have a legally licensed copy of the software. It is then
aggregated for statistical analysis. Microsoft does not use this information to
identify you or contact you. For example, during online activations,
information such as the software version, language, and product key are sent,
as well as the IP address and information about the hardware of the device. The
IP address is used only to verify the location of the request. This is because
some editions of Windows, such as Windows Vista Starter Edition, can only be
activated within certain target market geographies.
Activation Options
You can obtain licenses for Windows Vista and Windows
Server 2008 through one of three basic channels: OEM, retail, or volume
licensing. Each channel has its own unique methods of activation. Since
organizations can obtain their operating systems through any of the three
available channels, they can choose a combination of activation methods.
Retail
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 products
acquired through a retail store are individually licensed and are activated in
the same way as retail versions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Each
purchased copy comes with one unique product key, found on the product
packaging, which is typed in during the installation of the product. This
product key is used by the system to complete the activation after the installation
of the operating system is complete. This activation can be accomplished either
online or by telephone.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
Most OEMs sell systems that include a standard
build of Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008. System vendors perform OEM
activation by associating Windows to the firmware (BOIS) of the physical
system. This occurs before the systems are sent to the customer, so that no additional
actions are required of the end user. This method of activation is known as OEM
Activation 2.0.
OEM Activation 2.0 is valid as long as the
customer uses the OEM-provided image on a system. If you want to create a
customized image, you can use the image provided by your OEM as the basis for
creating your own custom image. Otherwise, you will need to use a different
activation method.
Note: Some editions of Windows, such as Windows Vista Enterprise, are
available only through the volume licensing channel. OEM activation is
applicable to systems purchased through OEM channels with Windows installed.
Volume Licensing
Microsoft volume licensing offers customized
programs tailored to the size and purchasing preference of your company. These
programs provide simple, flexible, and affordable solutions that enable you to
easily manage your licenses. To become a volume customer, you need to set up a
volume license agreement with Microsoft. There are only two legal ways to
acquire a full Windows desktop license for a new computer system. The
first and most economical way is preinstalled through the computer system
manufacturer. The other option is via full packaged retail product. Microsoft
Volume Licensing programs such as Open License, Select License, and Enterprise
Agreements cover Windows upgrades only and do not provide a full Windows
desktop license. After the computer systems have a full Windows desktop
license, a Windows Volume Licensing agreement can be acquired and used to
provide version upgrade rights. For more information on Volume Licensing, go to
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=73076.
Volume Activation 2.0 Models
VA 2.0 is designed to allow volume license
customers to automate the activation process in a way that is transparent to
end users. VA 2.0 applies to systems that are covered under a Volume Licensing
program. It is used strictly as a tool for activation and is in no way tied to
license invoicing or billing. VA 2.0 provides two different models for
completing volume activations. The first model is Key Management Service (KMS)
and the second is Multiple Activation Key (MAK). KMS allows organizations to
activate systems within their own network, while MAK activates systems on a
one-time basis, using Microsoft’s hosted activation services. Customers can use
either or both key types to activate systems in their environment.
Key Management Service (KMS)
With KMS, you can complete activations on your
local network, eliminating the need for individual computers to connect to
Microsoft for product activation. KMS is a lightweight service that does not
require a dedicated system and can easily be co-hosted on a system that
provides other services. By default, volume editions of Windows Vista and
Windows Server 2008 connect to a system that hosts the KMS service to request
activation. No action is required of the end user.
KMS requires a minimum number of physical
computers in a network environment. You must have at least five (5) physical
computers to activate Windows Server 2008 and at least twenty-five (25)
physical computers to activate Windows Vista clients. These minimums, called
activation thresholds, are set so that they are easily met by enterprise
customers. For more information about activation thresholds, see the Volume
Activation 2.0 Planning Guide.
To use KMS activation with Windows Vista Volume
Licensing editions, new computers must be preinstalled by an OEM with a
qualifying operating system and contain a Windows marker in the BIOS.
Multiple Activation Key (MAK)
MAK is used for a one-time activation with
Microsoft’s hosted activation services. There are two ways to activate
computers using MAK. The first method is MAK Independent activation, which
requires that each computer independently connect and activate with Microsoft,
either over the Internet or by telephone. The second method is MAK Proxy
activation. With this method, a computer acting as a MAK proxy gathers
activation information from multiple computers on the network and then sends a
centralized activation request on their behalf. MAK Proxy Activation is
configured using the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT).
What If Systems Are Not Activated?
Activation is designed to provide a transparent
activation experience for users. If activation does not occur immediately after
the operating system is installed, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 still
provide the full functionality of the operating system for a limited amount of
time, or grace period. The length of a grace period varies from thirty days,
for Windows Vista, to sixty days, for Windows Server 2008. After the grace
period expires, the initial release of Windows Vista transitions to reduced
functionality mode (RFM), but Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows
Server 2008, after the initial grace period expires, do not go into RFM. If not
activated, these products continue to remind the user to activate through
notifications. For more information about RFM, see the Volume Activation 2.0
Planning Guide.
Grace
Period
During the initial grace period, there are
periodic notifications that the system needs activation. Systems in this grace
period have a set period of time to activate the operating system. Once a day,
during the logon process, a notification bubble reminds the user to activate
the operating system. For both 60-day and 30-day grace periods, this behavior
continues until there are three days left in the grace period. For the first
two of the final three days of the grace period, the notification bubble
appears every four hours. During the final day of the grace period the
notification bubble appears every hour, on the hour. This notification process
is illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Figure 1 Notification timeline
for initial 30-day grace period
.jpg)
Grace Period Expiration
After the initial grace period expires or
activation fails, Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 continue to notify
the user that the operating system needs activation. During this time, until
the operating system is activated, a notification reminder bubble appears on
the desktop. When the notification bubble appears, the desktop background
changes to black. During this period, genuine-only features such as Aero®, Windows Defender, and ReadyBoost™
are still available to users, but optional updates, provided by Windows Update,
are not available until the system is activated.
Product
Keys
VA 2.0 does not change how volume licensing
customers obtain their product keys. You can obtain MAK and KMS keys at the
Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) Web page at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=107544 or by calling an Activation Call Center. Service Provider License
Agreement (SPLA) partners can only obtain keys by calling an Activation Call Center. Customers in the United States can call 1-888-352-7140. International
customers should contact their local support center. For the telephone numbers
of activation centers worldwide, go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=107418. When you call a support center, have your volume license agreement
and proof of purchase information available.
Volume licensing customers can log on to the VLSC
Web page at any time to view their KMS key information. The VLSC Web site also
contains information on how to request and use MAKs. For more information about
MAK and KMS keys, including information about increasing your number of allowed
activations, go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=74008.
Summary
Product activation is the process of validating
software with the manufacturer. Microsoft requires activation for Windows Vista
and Windows Server 2008, regardless of how they are purchased. Previously,
Windows licenses obtained through retail and OEM channels required activation.
This activation requirement now is also required for volume licensing
customers.
VA 2.0 is designed to allow volume licensing
customers to automate the activation process so that there is little or no
impact on end users. VA 2.0 provides volume customers with two models for
activating Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. The KMS model is designed to
activate systems by connecting to a locally managed network-based service. The
MAK model has systems connect to Microsoft for activation either individually
or by using a proxy. VA 2.0 does not change a volume customer’s licensing
agreement with Microsoft, nor does it change how they obtain volume product
keys. With some planning, it can be integrated it into an organization’s Windows
deployment plan.
Next Steps
This guide is intended as an introduction to
volume activation for IT implementers and decision makers. It is part of the
core set of documentation for VA 2.0. To view or download the complete set of
VA 2.0 guides, go to the Volume Activation Technical Guidance Web site at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=75674.
In addition to the core set of documentation for
VA 2.0, there are also numerous other resources and tools available to assist
you in planning and implementing VA 2.0. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=107415.