Step 3: Determine Activation Method and Product License Requirements

 

Applies To: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2

After selecting the activation methods that are appropriate for your organization in Step 2: Evaluate Client Connectivity, the next step is mapping computers that are using volume activation to activation methods. After you complete this step, you can complete your volume activation deployment plan by completing the steps in Step 4: Determine Monitoring and Reporting Needs.

You can use the following planning table to ensure that all computers are associated with an activation option.

Criteria

Activation Method

Number of Computers

Number of computers running Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 or newer that will connect to the network at least once every 180 days (directly or through a VPN)

Active Directory-based Activation

Number of computers not running Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 or newer that will connect to the network at least once every 180 days (directly or through a VPN), and where the KMS activation threshold is met

KMS

Number of computers that do not connect to network at least once every 180 days

MAK

Number of computers running Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 or newer in isolated networks that connect at least once every 180 days to the core network

Active Directory-based Activation or KMS

Number of computers not running Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 or newer in isolated networks that can contact a KMS host

KMS

Number of computers in isolated networks where the KMS activation threshold is not met

MAK

Number of computers in test and development labs that will not be activated

None

See also