Unless you’re living under a rock you will know that Windows 10 will be available on July 29th 2015. Microsoft has prepared for this by already making an Update that enables Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 KMS hosts to activate a “later version of Windows”. This must mean Windows 10. I do not know if this means that even the versions after Windows 10 will be activated by a KMS server running this update but it might.
So there you go, you’re ready to to start deploying Windows 10 Enterprise edition which can then be activated by your KMS server when the new client OS is generally available. Good luck.
Closing note: Don’t even bother posting comments where you ask for KMS Server keys or MAK keys for Windows 10. As I’ve stated before, while it might be more fun to join the pirates we’re the navy and as such we don’t condone piracy . Got it? GOOD!
This entry was posted in Infrastructure, IT Pro, Licensing, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2 and tagged KMS, License Activation, Windows 10 by workinghardinit. Bookmark the permalink.
I have Windows Server 2k8R2 as KMS server, and use for Win 8.1 and 2012R2 .
You know if Microsoft will release this update to previous version?
They might but for now I have not seen or heard anything of it. Not sure they will.
Should that already work with build 10240? I updated our KMS host and tried with Windows 10 Enterprise 10240 with the KMS key -2YT43 but no luck. I cannot find a special KMS key for Windows 10 in our MS Volume License Portal.
No, the update is to be able to install the KMS Server license key. That as you have seen, still has to be published. They’re getting ready, that’s for sure.
We use our KMS for both Server 2012R2 and Windows8.1 using only our 2012 server key. If we insert a new Win10 KMS key, will it still activate 2012R2? Does it co-exist with a server key?
I was under the impression that only server keys work for servers (and anything below), following a hierarchy. Since the new version of Windows server wont be out anytime soon, I was wondering how it would work.
Anyway, just yesterday, we saw (in VLSC) that we were already given Windows 10 KMS keys. One was called “Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10”. We installed it and were successful in activating both Win10 and 2012R2.
Where did you find the key “Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10”? Our Windows 10 downloads were made available today. I see Windows 10 Enterprise keys and Server 2012R2 Datacenter keys available, but not the one you specified that would “upgrade” our KMS server to do both.
Francisco, where on the VLSC site did you find the Server 2012 KMS host key that will also activate Windows 10?
So far I have only been able to find the Windows 10 ‘client’ KMS host key and I can’t enter that one into our Server 2012 R2 KMS host.
Where did you find the key? I see only Windows 10 KMS keys?
I saw the key under the Product Keys tab of the Enrollment Details of your current license agreement.
Thanks for the Information. So we are waiting for the KMS server key in the Volume License Portal. How long does Windows 10 work without activation?
I’m not privy to that information. But my take is that when you’re running 10240 now you’ll be fine beyond RTM and MSFT can alwyas push a update that fixes any potential issue in that regard.
This is really helpful. I was trying to get KMS to activate W10 after installing KB3058168 & it was making a proper connection, but saying it couldn’t find an activation server, even though the KMS server showed it made a connection in event viewer. Then after reading this, it dawned on me that we haven’t actually updated our MAK. Still waiting on our software guy to get the info from the Volume License Portal, but I think we’re good after I plug it in. Question though: does the newest KMS server key allow for activations of Server 2016 & Office 2016, or will MS release those after the software’s release?
Can I use the Windows 10 Enterprise Insider Preview as a member of the Windows Insider Program after July 29, 2015?
The Windows 10 Enterprise Insider Preview expires October 1, 2015. If you are running the Preview, we will send you notifications beginning on September 15, 2015 to remind you that it is time to upgrade your PC to a newer version. After October 1, a clean installation of Windows 10, the Windows 10 Enterprise 90-day Evaluation, or your former operating system will be required; and you will need to reinstall all of your programs and data.
“Error: 0xC004F015 On a Computer Running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run Slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F015 to display the error text.
From research it would seem that KB3058168 didnt take or for some reason it’s not validating our Windows 10 KMS key?
Update: Im not sure which one worked but i think i got it working. My Windows 10 KMS key still won’t load with the above error, but i reapplied my Server 2012 R2 key and when i do a slmgr /dlv all the key reads VOLUME_KMS_WS212_R2_WIN10 (or roughly that, I’m not near the console) so I’m guessing i’ve updated the key to do Win 10. its status is unlicensed , but i think thats because the 25 activation limit has been reset and hasn’t hit yet.
For some reason I can’t install my Windows 10 KMS keys into the KMS server (2012 R2). KMS key just wont install.
Error: 0xC004F015 On a Computer Running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run Slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F015 to display the error text.
•In VLSC – click License, then Relationship Summary.
•Now click the License ID of your current Active license.
•Once the page changes, click Product Keys.
Got it, thank you, that was a bit tricky.
Thanks! Had a hard time finding it so this thread and most of all your comment was very helpfull.
Does the KMS server need 25 klients for each “Windows version” to become active? I was under the impressions that it was the total number of clients? I´m wondering because my Win client says that “The count reported by your Key Management Service (MS) is insufficient”. And there are several thousands computers using it (Win 7 & 8.1).
It’ll need 25 clients connecting to it after the upgrade/patch.
As we run VDI it was easy to bump this along, I just temporarily spun up 25 Win7 virtual desktops. After they all requested activation I could then activate my Win10 test machines.
This worked for me, thanks pal!
Thanks Paul – This worked for me.
Thank you Paul. Silly me I was using the one under Product Keys.
Thanks Didier for the article and Paul for the hidden key.
Strange that it lost the Office licenses… Did they come back or did you have to reactivate them?
The same problem. windows server 2012, error: Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x800F0920: Update for Windows (KB3058168).
Just one thing to say: THANKS!