With Windows 8 and Server 2012 Active Directory-Based Activation was released.

Many has been using the old “KMS” because it is needed for Windows 7/ Server 2008 and earlier.

Now when deploying Windows 10 in the Enterprise environment it is a good time to look at Active Directory-Based Activation.

Prereq: You need to have the AD scheme level at Server 2012 (Run ADPREP) – but the forest and domain level does not need to be at 2012.

For Windows 10 KMS activation you need this path (remember to download the patch for the correct OS version) : https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3058168

Apply the patch – ex. on Server 2012 R2

KMS-1

Download and activate the patch

KMS-2

Click Yes

KMS-3

Patch is installing

KMS-4

Restart server for apply the pacth

How to do Active Directory-Based Activation for Windows 10.

KMS1

Start by adding the Role

KMS2

Click Next

 

KMS3

Click Next

KMS4

Click Next

KMS5

Select “Volume Activation Service”

KMS6

Click “Add Features”

KMS7

Click Next

KMS8

Click Next

KMS9

Click Next

KMS10

Click Install

KMS11

Click Close after the install is finish

Start the “Volume Activation Tools”

KMS12

KMS13

Click Next

KMS14

Select “Active Directory Based Activation”

Click Next

KMS15

Enter the KMS Key and a optional name

KMS16

Click Commit

KMS17

Click Yes

KMS18

Click Close (Click next and you are deleting the KMS key you just has entered)

KMS19

Click Yes – and now you are ready to activate you Windows 10 Domain joined workstations.

Run slmgr -dlv to see the status of KMS

KMS20

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