Windows Activation: Difference between revisions

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'''Please note that you need to be either ''on campus'' or on the ''VPN'' to activate. You may use either the UMIACS or the campus VPN. This tutorial also assumes you have already have a network connection established.'''
== Windows Licensing ==
Windows uses an activation model for each UMD-licensed install. The installs will have to verify activation every 180 days. Activation and renewal is performed via the campus Key Management Server KMS, which is not available from off campus. For onsite desktops, this is not a problem. However, for laptops or home machines it poses a complication. As long as the laptop or home machine is periodically on the campus wireless or connects to the UMIACS or campus VPN, renewal activation will be performed automatically.


== Windows Licensing ==
'''You must only use the below procedure on University owned hardware.'''


Windows 7 and 8 have a licensing model different from that of Windows XP. Unlike Windows XP, Windows 7/8 uses an activation model for each install. The installs will have to verify activation every 180 days. Activation and renewal is performed via the campus Key Management Server KMS, which is not available from off campus. For onsite desktops this is not a problem. However, for laptops it poses a potentially serious complication. As long as the laptop is periodically on the campus wireless, connects to the UMIACS or campus VPN, then renewal activation will be performed then.
Please follow the below steps if you are receiving a message that your license is going to expire soon or that Windows is not activated.


== Activation ==
== Activation ==
'''Please note that your time must be correct for this to work, make sure you are in the East Coast timezone and your time is set via the internet, try running "w32tm /resync" on the command line'''
'''Please note that you need to be connected to either the ''wired campus network'', ''campus WiFi'', the ''[https://terpware.umd.edu/Windows/Title/4010 campus VPN]'', or the ''[[Network/VPN | UMIACS VPN]]'' to activate.''' The below steps assume you have already established a network connection. Please also note that your time must be correct (i.e. set via the Internet) and set to the US Eastern timezone for this to work. You can try running <code>w32tm /resync</code> on the command line below in step 4 before running the other commands listed in that step to resync your time if the commands fail at first.
 
#  Click the Windows button and type "CMD" in the run bar. ]
#*[[Image:windows_bar.png]]
#  ''Right-Click'' on the CMD button, and select "Run as Administrator" -  '''THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!'''
#*[[Image:Example.jpg]]
# From the link [http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj612867.aspx here], choose the appropriate key for your windows version. That for windows 7 Enterprise is used in the example below (line 2)
#  Select "Yes" when it asks if you want to allow the following program to make changes.
#*[[Image:Uac.jpg]]
#  From the commmand prompt, run these commands in order, replacing the key in line 2with the appropriate key:
 
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.umd.edu:1688
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk 33PXH-7Y6KF-2VJC9-XBBR8-HVTHH
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato
 


After these commands have run, the Key Management Server should have activated your windows computer.
# Click on the Start menu and type "cmd" in the run bar.
#: [[Image:windows_bar.png]]
# ''Right-Click'' on the cmd button, and select "Run as Administrator" - '''THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!'''
#: [[Image:Example.jpg]]
# Select "Yes" if you get a prompt to allow the following program to make changes.
#: [[Image:Uac.jpg]]
# From the Command Prompt, run these commands in order:
#: Windows 10/11:<pre>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.umd.edu:1688&#10;cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43&#10;cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato</pre>
#: [[File:CMDScreenShot.png]]
# After these commands have run, the Key Management Server should have activated your Windows computer. You can also run: <pre>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -xpr</pre> to see when the current activation expires.
#: [[File:Activationtime.png]]


'''If you are unable to activate, please see the message at the top of this page and contact UMIACS staff with information about your problem.'''
'''If you are unable to activate, please see the message at the top of this section.''' If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact [[HelpDesk | UMIACS staff]] with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport Division of IT].

Latest revision as of 17:50, 28 August 2023

Windows Licensing

Windows uses an activation model for each UMD-licensed install. The installs will have to verify activation every 180 days. Activation and renewal is performed via the campus Key Management Server KMS, which is not available from off campus. For onsite desktops, this is not a problem. However, for laptops or home machines it poses a complication. As long as the laptop or home machine is periodically on the campus wireless or connects to the UMIACS or campus VPN, renewal activation will be performed automatically.

You must only use the below procedure on University owned hardware.

Please follow the below steps if you are receiving a message that your license is going to expire soon or that Windows is not activated.

Activation

Please note that you need to be connected to either the wired campus network, campus WiFi, the campus VPN, or the UMIACS VPN to activate. The below steps assume you have already established a network connection. Please also note that your time must be correct (i.e. set via the Internet) and set to the US Eastern timezone for this to work. You can try running w32tm /resync on the command line below in step 4 before running the other commands listed in that step to resync your time if the commands fail at first.

  1. Click on the Start menu and type "cmd" in the run bar.
    Windows bar.png
  2. Right-Click on the cmd button, and select "Run as Administrator" - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
    Example.jpg
  3. Select "Yes" if you get a prompt to allow the following program to make changes.
    Uac.jpg
  4. From the Command Prompt, run these commands in order:
    Windows 10/11:
    cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.umd.edu:1688
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato
    CMDScreenShot.png
  5. After these commands have run, the Key Management Server should have activated your Windows computer. You can also run: 
    cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -xpr
    to see when the current activation expires.
    Activationtime.png

If you are unable to activate, please see the message at the top of this section. If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact UMIACS staff with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the Division of IT.

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