Activating all versions of Windows Server without a product key
As you know, Windows Server is a specialized operating system which is designed for server only. In today’s post, I will show you how to activate Windows in your VPS or dedicated server for FREE using KMS client product keys. Although the KMS license is valid for 180 days only but there is no limit on the number of activation. So you can renew it whenever you want. Actually, the license will be renewed automatically every 7 days by default (almost similar to Let’s Encrypt certificate). In this way, just do it one time and forget it completely.
Note:
- If you are a student, an office worker or any standard user who is using desktop edition of Windows, just skip this post and please do not follow the instructions. I will not be responsible for any damage caused by you.
- All editions of Windows Server in the Microsoft homepage are evaluation ones and not supported by KMS. So if you are using an evaluation version, just convert it to the retail one before following the instructions below.
Supported products:
- Windows Server 2022/2019/2016.
- Windows Server, version 1809, 1803, 1709.
- Windows Server 2008/2012 (R2).
As you can see in the image above, I am using a copy of Windows Server 2016 Standard and it is not activated.
Method 1: Manually installing KMS client key and activating it.
Step 1.1: Get the right product key from the official article of Microsoft.
The KMS Client Setup Key of Win Server 2016 Standard is “WC2BQ-8NRM3-FDDYY-2BFGV-KHKQY”. I will use it in the next step.
Step 1.2: Install the key on your server.
To open command prompt, click on the Windows button, search for “cmd” and run the command prompt as administrator. Then, enter “slmgr /ipk CLIENTKEY” in the command window.
Note: each command is followed by hitting Enter.
Step 1.3: Set the KMS server.
Enter “slmgr /skms kms8.msguides.com” in the window.
Step 1.4: Activate the KMS client key.
Finally, use the command “/ato” to activate your Windows.
If you see the error 0xC004F074, it means that your internet connection is unstable or the server is busy. Please make sure your device is online and try the command “ato” again until you succeed.
Method 2: Using a pre-written batch file.
This one is not recommended anymore due to the new update of Microsoft.
Step 2.1: Copy all the text below into a text file.
@echo off
title Activate Windows Server (ALL versions) for FREE - MSGuides.com&cls&echo =====================================================================================&echo #Project: Activating Microsoft software products for FREE without additional software&echo =====================================================================================&echo.&echo #Supported products:&echo http://bit.ly/kmsclientkeys&echo.&echo.&echo ============================================================================&echo Activating your Windows...&set i=1
cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 4DWFP-JF3DJ-B7DTH-78FJB-PDRHK >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 22XQ2-VRXRG-P8D42-K34TD-G3QQC >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 7M67G-PC374-GR742-YH8V4-TCBY3 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk RCTX3-KWVHP-BR6TB-RB6DM-6X7HP >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 39BXF-X8Q23-P2WWT-38T2F-G3FPG >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk YQGMW-MPWTJ-34KDK-48M3W-X4Q6V >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk W7VD6-7JFBR-RX26B-YKQ3Y-6FFFJ >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk TM24T-X9RMF-VWXK6-X8JC9-BFGM2 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk WYR28-R7TFJ-3X2YQ-YCY4H-M249D >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk GT63C-RJFQ3-4GMB6-BRFB9-CB83V >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 74YFP-3QFB3-KQT8W-PMXWJ-7M648 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 489J6-VHDMP-X63PK-3K798-CPX3Y >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk YC6KT-GKW9T-YTKYR-T4X34-R7VHC >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk TT8MH-CG224-D3D7Q-498W2-9QCTX >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 6TPJF-RBVHG-WBW2R-86QPH-6RTM4 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 48HP8-DN98B-MYWDG-T2DCC-8W83P >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk XNH6W-2V9GX-RGJ4K-Y8X6F-QGJ2G >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk HM7DN-YVMH3-46JC3-XYTG7-CYQJJ >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk XC9B7-NBPP2-83J2H-RHMBY-92BT4 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 4K36P-JN4VD-GDC6V-KDT89-DYFKP >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 2WN2H-YGCQR-KFX6K-CD6TF-84YXQ >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 8N2M2-HWPGY-7PGT9-HGDD8-GVGGY >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk BN3D2-R7TKB-3YPBD-8DRP2-27GG4 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk KNC87-3J2TX-XB4WP-VCPJV-M4FWM >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk W3GGN-FT8W3-Y4M27-J84CP-Q3VJ9 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk D2N9P-3P6X9-2R39C-7RTCD-MDVJX >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk JCKRF-N37P4-C2D82-9YXRT-4M63B >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk WC2BQ-8NRM3-FDDYY-2BFGV-KHKQY >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk CB7KF-BWN84-R7R2Y-793K2-8XDDG >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk WVDHN-86M7X-466P6-VHXV7-YY726 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk N69G4-B89J2-4G8F4-WWYCC-J464C >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk DPCNP-XQFKJ-BJF7R-FRC8D-GF6G4 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 6Y6KB-N82V8-D8CQV-23MJW-BWTG6 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk PTXN8-JFHJM-4WC78-MPCBR-9W4KR >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 2HXDN-KRXHB-GPYC7-YCKFJ-7FVDG >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk N2KJX-J94YW-TQVFB-DG9YT-724CC >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk 6NMRW-2C8FM-D24W7-TQWMY-CWH2D >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33 >nul||cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ipk VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H >nul||goto notsupported
:skms
if %i% GTR 10 goto busy
if %i% EQU 1 set KMS=kms7.MSGuides.com
if %i% EQU 2 set KMS=kms8.MSGuides.com
if %i% EQU 3 set KMS=kms9.MSGuides.com
if %i% GTR 3 goto ato
cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /skms %KMS%:1688 >nul
:ato
echo ============================================================================&echo.&echo.&cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ato | find /i "successfully" && (echo.&echo ============================================================================&echo.&echo #My official blog: MSGuides.com&echo.&echo #How it works: bit.ly/kms-server&echo.&echo #Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.&echo.&echo #Please consider supporting this project: donate.msguides.com&echo #Your support is helping me keep my servers running 24/7!&echo.&echo ============================================================================&choice /n /c YN /m "Would you like to visit my blog [Y,N]?" & if errorlevel 2 exit) || (echo The connection to my KMS server failed! Trying to connect to another one... & echo Please wait... & echo. & echo. & set /a i+=1 & goto skms)
explorer "http://MSGuides.com"&goto halt
:notsupported
echo ============================================================================&echo.&echo Sorry, your version is not supported.&echo.&goto halt
:busy
echo ============================================================================&echo.&echo Sorry, the server is busy and can't respond to your request. Please try again.&echo.
:halt
pause >nul
Step 2.2: Save the text file as a batch file with .cmd extension. (Eg run.cmd)
Step 2.3: Run the batch file with admin rights.
Finally, check activation status of your server again.
If you would have any questions or concerns, please leave your comments. I would be glad to explain in more details. Thank you so much for all your feedback and support!
servers is down .. please check
best website i ever seen in my life….. much appreciate
hello amazing website just love it and want to know how to convert windows home edition to windows pro for free
Guang, what do you mean by “If you are a student, an office worker or any standard user who is using desktop edition of Windows, just skip this post and please do not follow the instructions.” In note sections at the beginning?? I dont really understand that part…
It means that if you are using standard windows, don’t use this; instead use the normal windows activation guide.
my antivirus won’t let me complete the process
Just Turn Off the antivirus
how activate windows server 2019 essential ?
the error is in a computer that do not run the core edition of windows
perfect it works for me
doesn’t support 2k8 r2 dc?
Works perfect, thanks!
it is showing actaviting windows bt it tis not actaviting
your KMS8 is down, any alternative dns?
Yes, second this comment – KMS7, KMS8, and KMS9 are not responding to activation!
worked thank you
Please provide key for en_windows_server_2012_x64_dvd_915478
as it is asking for a product key before installation
Your keys are:
Windows Server 2012: BN3D2-R7TKB-3YPBD-8DRP2-27GG4
Windows Server 2012 N: 8N2M2-HWPGY-7PGT9-HGDD8-GVGGY
Windows Server 2012 Single Language: 2WN2H-YGCQR-KFX6K-CD6TF-84YXQ
Windows Server 2012 Country Specific: 4K36P-JN4VD-GDC6V-KDT89-DYFKP
Windows Server 2012 Server Standard: XC9B7-NBPP2-83J2H-RHMBY-92BT4
Windows Server 2012 MultiPoint Standard: HM7DN-YVMH3-46JC3-XYTG7-CYQJJ
Windows Server 2012 MultiPoint Premium: XNH6W-2V9GX-RGJ4K-Y8X6F-QGJ2G
Windows Server 2012 Datacenter: 48HP8-DN98B-MYWDG-T2DCC-8W83P
– From official Microsoft homepage
You can use this prompt:
cscript slmgr.vbs /ipk CLIENTKEY&cscript slmgr.vbs /skms kms8.msguides.com&cscript slmgr.vbs /ato
*Value CLIENTKEY from above is the product key from the list
PLEASE HELP ME – I want to install Windows Server 2019 Standard for our small non-governmental group. We don’t have enough money to buy original from Microsoft. If I use this method and activate it – will this work just as same as Original from Microsoft? Will it have the same features? How many cores does this have?
Hello! Yes it works like thepurchased Activation. You can use it now without any restricitions! It does have that much cores like your processor.
thanks
It worked right. Thank you tried method 1 on windows server 2008 r2 server enterprise
For Windows Server 2008 R2 you could do the activation just with with Daz loader.
Hello , i have WS2019 Datacenter, and i have the this error
Error: 0xC004E016 on a computer running microsoft windows non-core edition run slui.exe 0x2a 0xc004e016 to display the error text
I have tried the Datacenter key from the official article of Microsoft, didn’t work.
help please.
You can use this prompt:
cscript slmgr.vbs /ipk WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG&cscript slmgr.vbs /skms kms8.msguides.com&cscript slmgr.vbs /ato
– Product key from official Microsoft homepage
The error reason is:
The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is not valid
error
Sorry! Your version is not supported.
I have been use 2nd method on my window server standard edition 2016 but I got this error . please reply
use method one instead.
Hi, thanks for the instructions, when I am trying to activate windows 2019 Standard I got:
Activating Windows (R), ServerStandard edition
(de32eaf-aaee-4662-9444-c1befb41bde2) ….
Error: 0xc004f074 The Software License Service reported that the
computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS)
could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional
Information.
The ipk is the recommended terminated in J464C, and I will prove in al KMS server of msguides,com
Kindly I want to know I you can help me or if you can tell me if I am in a mistake
Thank you
Thanks in advance I resolve the issue, the port 1688 on the firewall was closed, thnak you
Thanks champ
Hello,
What will happen if kms8.msguides.com is down? Is there a way to create a KMS server locally on the network for such case?
Thank you
There are KMS7, 8, 9.msguides.com for KMS activation.
Create your own KMS Server, you need buy KMS Host key from MIcrosoft To run KMS Server.
will it activate windows 2019 data center?
Yes
Enjoy.
Thanks a lot for your guide. Just a question.
What happen, if i leave my win 2019 server, always disconnected from internet ?
Do it stop to works after 180 days ?
Thanks.
Any time after seven day success activation, when you turn on your windows server, connect internet, it will automatic activate back to 180 days. If you insist your windows server, after activation, not connect internet anymore, is no way to get update from Microsoft.
Thank you very much.
Hi,
So if I use this method to activate my server will I need to redo this every 180 days?
Thanks
No.
Activation will automatic renew every seventh day back to 180 days when you online.
How I activate Windows 10 Enterprise
top search: 2 ways to activate Windows 10 for FREE without additional software
Enjoy
windows 2016 data center not work of this command. need improve
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter
KMS Activation Key CB7KF-BWN84-R7R2Y-793K2-8XDDG
Use the above same method to activate.
Thank’s Man
slmgr.vbs /ipk CB7KF-BWN84-R7R2Y-793K2-8XDDG
Will this work on windows 10 pro?
This post only for Windows server version activation.
Windows 10 pro
Top Search: 2 ways to activate Windows 10 for FREE without additional software
Enjoy
If, i cant find another iso of windows server without microsoft evaluation, where is the place that you taked your ISO, plz help me
Sorry, here not provide Windows server ISO download.
Not having any luck with Server 2019 Standard (1809). It is not accepting the keys.
Update – Found the correct key and used the manual method. Working fine now!
Could you provide the info you found for windows server 2019
after run the file , after sometimes tell your version not supported
Run the batch file with admin ID without restriction online, otherwise won’t work.
Where did you get windows server iso file?
Please be noted that Windows Server Evaluations versions are not supported because they have been attached 180-day trial license.
Method 2 did not work for Win Server 2012 R2
Run the batch file with admin rights online.
Done
Where did you get the Windows Server iso file? Please be noted that Windows Server Evaluations versions are not supported because they have been attached 180-day trial license.
You can change the version to retail using PowerShell after installing the Evaluation version on the microsoft website.
Ignore steps 1-3 above and do the following:
To determine installed edition name, type the follwoing in PowerShell:
dism /online /get-currentedition
To determine possible Target Edition names, type the following:
dism /online /get-targeteditions
Using the KSM Client Server Key (I’m targeting Windows Server 2019 Datacenter) relevant to the target version you are after, type:
dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
where the above product key is the KSM key for Windows Server 2019 Datacenter taken from the supplied link in the article.
If you then follow from “4.Activate the KMS client key”
Your retail version taken from the evaluation install will now be activated.