Install KMS Server with Windows Master Images

Install KMS Server – The keys below should be used on client or server OS to activate them with a KMS server. By using these keys, Windows knows it must activate through a KMS

KMS Key Selection

KMS Client Keys

Install KMS Server – The keys below should be used on client or server OS to activate them with a KMS server. By using these keys, Windows knows it must activate through a KMS server.

  • For KMS clients, always use a CLIENT KMS key: public
Windows 11 Pro
Windows 10 Professional		W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX
Windows 11 Professional N
Windows 10 Professional N		MH37W-N47XK-V7XM9-C7227-GCQG9
Windows 11 Professional for Workstations
Windows 10 Professional for Workstations		NRG8B-VKK3Q-CXVCJ-9G2XF-6Q84J
Windows 11 Professional for Workstations N
Windows 10 Professional for Workstations N		9FNHH-K3HBT-3W4TD-6383H-6XYWF
Windows 11 Professional Education
Windows 10 Professional Education		6TP4R-GNPTD-KYYHQ-7B7DP-J447Y
Windows 11 Professional Education N
Windows 10 Professional Education N		YVWGF-BXNMC-HTQYQ-CPQ99-66QFC
Windows 11 Education
Windows 10 Education		NW6C2-QMPVW-D7KKK-3GKT6-VCFB2
Windows 11 Education N
Windows 10 Education N		2WH4N-8QGBV-H22JP-CT43Q-MDWWJ
Windows 11 Enterprise
Windows 10 Enterprise		NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
Windows 11 Enterprise N
Windows 10 Enterprise N		DPH2V-TTNVB-4X9Q3-TJR4H-KHJW4
Windows 11 Enterprise G
Windows 10 Enterprise G		YYVX9-NTFWV-6MDM3-9PT4T-4M68B
Windows 11 Enterprise G N
Windows 10 Enterprise G N		44RPN-FTY23-9VTTB-MP9BX-T84FV

Install KMS Server – Source: KMS Client Activation Keys

Operating System EditionKMS Client Product Key
Windows Server 2025 StandardTVRH6-WHNXV-R9WG3-9XRFY-MY832
Windows Server 2025 DatacenterD764K-2NDRG-47T6Q-P8T8W-YP6DF
Windows Server 2025 Datacenter: Azure EditionXGN3F-F394H-FD2MY-PP6FD-8MCRC

KMS Host Keys

Install KMS Server – To obtain these keys, visit your licensing portal. These are KMS host keys and should ONLY be used on a KMS server.

Install KMS Server – Windows 10/11 key or Windows Server key?

  • Client KMS keys (Windows 10/11) activate only client OS.
  • Server KMS host keys (Windows Server 2016/2019/2022/2025) activate both client and server OS (best choice).

Install KMS Server – Whenever possible, use the most recent Windows Server KMS host key on your KMS server. This lets you activate all supported client and server OS in your network.

Listing KMS in DNS

Install KMS Server – The nslookup command lets you list KMS servers registered in DNS.

nslookup -q=srv _vlmcs._tcp

Install KMS Server – It’s possible to have multiple KMS servers registered in DNS. If that happens, you may have used the wrong key to activate your workstations.

Installing the KMS Role

Installation of the KMS Role

  • Install the Windows role “Volume Activation Services”.
Install KMS Server screenshot

KMS Role Configuration

  • In post‑configuration tasks, launch “Volume Activation Tools”.
Volume Activation Tools start screen
  • Select “Key Management Service”.
Key Management Service selection screen
  • Enter the KMS host key for Windows Server (latest available).
Entering KMS host key in the wizard
  • DNS publication will be used.

Install KMS Server – Note: DNS publication allows Windows volume-licensed clients to activate automatically.

DNS publication configuration screen
  • Finally, activate the KMS server.
KMS server activation step

Role Validation

On the KMS Server

Install KMS Server – Note: The server becomes active after 25 activation requests for client OS and 5 requests for server OS.

  • The command slmgr /dlv lets you check the KMS server status.
slmgr /dlv output showing KMS status
  • To check request count and activated licenses, run slmgr.vbs /dli. “Current Count” must be > 25 for the server to be active.

Enforce Registration

  • To force KMS registration on the 25 workstations, run:
c:windowssystem32cscript.exe "c:windowssystem32slmgr.vbs" /skms serveurKMS.monlab.lan:1688
c:windowssystem32cscript.exe "c:windowssystem32slmgr.vbs" /ato
  • To re-enable KMS server discovery via DNS:
c:windowssystem32cscript.exe "c:windowssystem32slmgr.vbs" /ckms

Tip: Manually Create a DNS Record (if not using Microsoft DNS)

Install KMS Server – Create a manual DNS SRV record with the following values:

  • Service: _vlmcs
  • Protocol: _tcp
  • Priority: 0
  • Weight: 0
  • Port: 1688
  • Target: FQDN of the KMS host