KMS (Key Management Service)

Welcome to the KMS Information Portal

Key Management Service (KMS) is a critical component for activating Windows and Office products in a corporate environment.

Use the links below to explore different aspects of KMS and understand its implementation, advantages, and more.

How KMS Works

The Key Management Service (KMS) operates by allowing client machines to connect to a KMS host to activate their licenses locally instead of relying on direct internet access to Microsoft's activation servers.

Steps to Set Up a KMS System

  1. Install the KMS Host: Set up the KMS host on a server within your organization using a KMS-enabled volume license key.
  2. Configure DNS: Configure DNS to direct KMS clients to the KMS server for activation.
  3. Activate the KMS Host: Activate the KMS host with the volume license key provided by Microsoft.
  4. Client Activation: Client machines check the KMS server for activation by querying the server and requesting an activation token.
  5. Periodic Reactivation: Devices must reconnect every 180 days for reactivation. If a device cannot contact the KMS server, it will go into a grace period and continue to function for 30 days.

Requirements