Volume Activation:FAQ and Tip

Frequently asked questions about Volume License keys

Source and Reference:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/existing-customer/faq-product-activation.aspx

• How do I activate Windows 10 computers by using Key Management Service (KMS)?
• What is product activation?
• What is a setup key?
• How does Microsoft determine which product keys are associated with my agreement(s)?
• What is Volume Activation?
• What is the Key Management Service (KMS)?
• What is a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) and how does it work?
• Are there usage limits on MAKs?
• Can I use both MAK and KMS for activating systems in my organization?
• Do I need a dedicated server to run KMS for Office 2010 or 2013?
• Are there different keys for x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) versions of Office 2010 or Office 2013 products?
• If I am a HVMS or ISVR partner, where can I get my keys?
• I am planning to deploy Windows 7 and Office 2010 by using KMS as the activation method. Which Windows Server versions can I use to set up a KMS host computer?
• Which activation method should be used for virtual computers?
• My organization's KMS host computer was activated using a Windows Server 2008 KMS key. Can we use that same computer as a host for deploying Windows Server 2008 R2?
• I purchased new PCs preinstalled with Windows 7 Professional and plan to downgrade to an earlier version of Windows. What key can I use?
• If a "child" company (owned by a "parent" company) has an individual agreement, can the parent company use the same key (such as a Windows Server 2008 Standard/Enterprise R2 KMS key) to deploy Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 across both companies?
• What happens if we do not activate our computers?
• My organization plans to use MAK keys to activate most of our computers, but the number of MAK activations does not match the number of our purchased licenses. Why are these amounts different and how can I request more activations?
• Can I use my Volume License Keys to exercise my reimaging rights?
• I want to reimage Windows 7 Professional by using the MAK instead of KMS. What happens if I do not have enough activations associated with the MAK to do so?
• What key(s) should I use for Small Business Server 2011?

Windows 10 Volume Activation Tips

Source and Reference:
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askcore/2015/09/15/windows-10-volume-activation-tips/

• Updating Existing KMS Hosts
• Obtain Your Windows Server 2012 R2 for Windows 10 CSVLK
• Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT 3.1)