ERROR: KMS Activation

Microsoft Generic KMS key

Windows/Server	https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj612867.aspx
Office 2013	https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn385360.aspx
Office 2016	https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn385360(v=office.16).aspx

These are the generic embedded keys for Windows to participate in KMS. Sometimes this information gets removed or you may want to convert a MAK activated machine to KMS. Follow the key installation instructions in the first paragraph.

KMS Activation/Info Tool

https://clemson.box.com/v/kmsactivation

This tool will force windows to activate and provide a "kms activation.log" file on the windows desktop of the current logged in user for diagnostic purposes.

0x80070001

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2400124

Fix for Windows Hardware Key this is officially for Office 2010, but should apply to Windows as well if you are receiving error 0x80070001

Complete list of Windows KMS errors

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938450

Error: 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. The Key Management Service (KMS) is unavailable

This could be because the client is set to a specific KMS server which may no longer be available. To fix this you need to run Clear Stored KMS server application in the CCIT Application Catalog or run the following 2 commands from an administrative command prompt.

“slmgr /ckms” or “cscript.exe c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /ckms”
“slmgr /ato” or “cscript.exe c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /ato”

Article ID: 172
Created: February 27, 2015
Last Updated: December 13, 2023
Author: Sam Beckler

Online URL: https://hdkb.clemson.edu/phpkb/article.php?id=172