This post will cover updating an existing Server 2008 R2 KMS host to allow the activation of Server 2012 and Windows 8 clients. The update will carry across your existing activation count and if you currently use your KMS host for Microsoft Office activations, this will go untouched.
Once this update has been applied the KMS host will be able to service the following KMS clients:
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
Before running the update, I'd recommend you record the output of your existing configuration by running:
slmgr /dli all > before.txt.
Download the required KB2757817 update package from here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2757817
Run the installer and select yes.
Once the installation is complete you must restart the server.
To install and activate your new KMS license key. Use the following command to add the new key:
cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /ipk
Then to activate:
cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /ato
Now would be a good time to run slmgr /dli all > after.txt and compare with your results from earlier. The text file should state:
Name: Windows Server(R), ServerStandard edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows Server(R), VOLUME_KMS_2012_C channel
Partial Product Key: partialkeyhere
License Status: Licensed
If you want some additional confirmation, dig into the key management event log and look for events with the ID of 12290. You're mainly looking for the license state near the far right, you want to see "1" meaning the client is activated. Here are the various licensing states:
- 0 - Unlicensed
- 1 - Licensed (Activated)
- 2 - OOB grace
- 3 - OOT grace
- 4 – NonGenuineGrace
- 5 – Notifications
- 6 – Extended Grace
Troubleshooting KMS Event Log
More information about troubleshooting KMS can be found here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee939272.aspx
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