Have read countless MS FAQS on this and need clarification…. (no idea where to post this so, here goes) Q1. If I install a Windows 2008 R2 key on my Windows 2008 R2 KMS host to activate it, will it license ALL of the following OS’s: Windows 2008 R2, Windows 2008, Windows 7? Or ONLY Windows 2008 R2? Q2. If the answer to the above is yes, and it will license ALL of those OS’s, then how does my Windows 2008 R2 KMS server know how many Windows 7 volume licenses I actually own (since I never put that information into the KMS)? Am I required to use the VAMT console or not? Q3. If I have less than 25 clients, those clients will not receive a valid key from my KMS server until the count reaches 25, correct? How long does the temp key last for? What happens if it expires and I still haven’t reached 25 clients yet? Does the OS become unlicensed/unusable? Q4. To use KMS on a client (regardless of whether its Windows 2008 R2 or Windows 7), when the OS asks for a license key, I am supposed to leave that BLANK?? Q5. If a client already has a MAK key entered and licensed in the OS, can the key be removed/change to utilize KMS? This is so darn confusing.

For licensing questions, I suggest contacting Microsoft Licensing Center for detailed explanation. http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/contact-us.aspx For licensing questions, please call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/index/worldwide.asp to find contact information in their locations Thanks

Hello, Responses: Q1) Yes all the Windows versions are supported, if you use KMS_C all edtions as well are supported. Q2) The KMS host does not know how many licenses you own, this is an activation method, not a compliance method Q3) The clients have a 30 day grace period before they become unlicensed, they will be in notifcation mode, the machine will still be usable. Notification mode behavior explained on this link - http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd979803.aspx Q4) VL media should not be prompting for a key, this link has the keys that need to be used for KMS clients if you are prompted http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793421.aspx Q5) from an elevated cmd prompt, you can run slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxxThanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

MYousufAli, Those links don't help at all. I had already read TONS of Microsoft mumbo jumbo about their insanely confusing licensing program and still needed answers to the questions I posted. Calling MS for information on their licensing is a joke too -- you get different answers depending on who you speak with. Darrell, Thank you for helping to answer my questions. I found this very valuable and you cleared up some concerns. To follow up on Q5. If I put a KMS key in that command, won't it automatically create a DNS record and make that a DNS host? I don't want that, of course... I just would like the former MAK client to utilize KMS instead. Thanks! Regards J

Q2) The KMS host does not know how many licenses you own, this is an activation method, not a compliance method One other followup, since it's just a activation method, and not a compliance method... I assume I do NOT have to input ANY windows 7 keys onto my 2008 R2 KMS server then? (my group is Group B) J

Hello, To convert a MAK to a KMS client you need to input the client setup keys on this link ( not the KMS host key) http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793421.aspx This is the default key that is used for VL media, if this key is installed, those machines will look for a KMS host so they can activate.Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Hello, That is correct, you do not have to enter the Windows 7 KMS host key. this is the chart, but the B key can activate Win7 and Vista clients as well as server editions other than Datacenter or Itanium ( need the C key for Datacenter or Itanium)Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en