Monitor activation

The success of the activation process for a computer running Windows can be monitored in several ways. The most popular methods include:

• Using the Volume Licensing Service Center website to track use of MAK keys.

• Using the Slmgr /dlv command on a client computer or on the KMS host. For a full list of options, see Slmgr.vbs options for obtaining volume activation information.

• Using Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to view licensing status. WMI makes licensing status available to non-Microsoft or custom tools that can access WMI. Windows PowerShell can also be used to access WMI information.

• Most licensing actions and events are recorded in the Event log (ex: Application Log events 12288-12290).

• Microsoft System Center Operations Manager and the KMS Management Pack can provide insight and information to users of System Center Operations Manager.

• See Troubleshooting activation error codes for information about troubleshooting procedures for Multiple Activation Key (MAK) or the Key Management Service (KMS).

• The Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) provides a single site from which to manage and monitor volume activations. This feature is explained in the next section.

Related content

• Volume Activation for Windows.