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How to activate Windows 10 using KMS activator?

Published in Windows Activation 3 mins read

To activate Windows 10 using a Key Management Service (KMS), you typically connect your computer to a designated KMS server using the command prompt.

KMS activation is a method used by organizations (like universities or companies) to activate multiple computers on their network. Instead of each computer contacting Microsoft for activation, they activate by connecting to a central KMS server within the organization's network.

One standard way to configure your Windows 10 client to use a KMS server involves the slmgr.vbs script, a built-in Windows tool for managing activation.

Steps for KMS Activation via Command Prompt

This process involves using the command prompt to point your Windows installation to the KMS server.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for "Command Prompt" in the Windows search bar, right-click on it, and select "Run as administrator". This is crucial because activation commands require elevated privileges.
  2. Verify Directory: In the elevated Command Prompt window, verify that the current directory is C:\Windows\System32. If it is not, type CD \Windows\System32 and press Enter.
  3. Set the KMS Server Address: Use the slmgr.vbs script with the /skms flag to specify the address of the KMS server your computer should contact for activation.
    • Type the following command, replacing kms01.cit.cornell.edu with the actual address of your organization's KMS server if different:
      cscript slmgr.vbs /skms kms01.cit.cornell.edu
    • Press Enter. You should see a message indicating that the Key Management Service machine name set successfully.
  4. Activate Windows: Now, trigger the activation process by using the /ato flag (Activate Windows Online) with slmgr.vbs.
    • Type the following command:
      cscript slmgr.vbs /ato
    • Press Enter. Windows will attempt to contact the KMS server you specified and activate. A success message will appear upon successful activation.

Important Considerations:

  • This method requires that your Windows 10 installation is a volume license edition configured for KMS activation. Retail or OEM licenses cannot be activated this way.
  • You must have network connectivity to the specified KMS server.
  • KMS activations are temporary and require the computer to reconnect to the KMS server periodically (usually every 180 days) to renew the activation.

Command Summary

Here's a quick summary of the key commands used:

Command Description
CD \Windows\System32 Changes directory to the System32 folder.
cscript slmgr.vbs /skms [KMS_SERVER_FQDN] Sets the KMS server address. Replace [KMS_SERVER_FQDN] with the server name/IP.
cscript slmgr.vbs /ato Attempts to activate Windows against the configured KMS server.

Using these steps, you can activate your Windows 10 volume license edition by connecting it to a valid KMS server provided by your organization.

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