Windows Activation

Goals

Change the prodcut key

The default product key expects that a Key Management Server (KMS) server will be managing licensing. In our remote environment, we want a Multiple Activation Key (MAK)

Activate Windows

Connect to windows automated activation by phone or Internet. If we don't activate Windows will be unhappy.

Procedures

Open computer properties

• Right click on Computer, select Properties

Open computer properties

• Observe that the Server is not activated
• Click on Change Product key

Open computer properties

• Enter the Windows Multipoint 2011 MAK

It will try to activate over the internet

• Wait while it fails, if there is no Internet

Choose other activation methods

• If there is no Internet, it will offer you other options.
• Select Show me other ways to activate

Select Phone activation

• Select Use the automated phone system

Select Country

• Wants to know which country you are in to offer you a number to call.
• Select United States

Tedious phone activation

• Call the number 1-888-725-1047
• Use the automated system to enter the Installation ID
• Type the repsonse int he boxes

Success

• Hooray

Observe Happy Activation

• Windows is Activated

Reboot the Computer before proceeding

• Now that our product ID has changed, the behavior of the other licensing operations will change, if you don't reboot now.