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Q. What is MAK activation?
A. MAK activation uses a technology similar to that in use with MSDN Universal and Microsoft Action Pack subscriptions. Each product key can activate a specific number of computers. MAK activation is required only once, unless there are significant hardware changes. If the use of volume-licensed media is not controlled, excessive activations result in a depletion of the activation limit.
There are two ways to activate computers using MAK:
Q. What is KMS activation?
A. Key Management Service (KMS) enables organizations to perform local activations for computers in a managed environment without the need to connect to Microsoft. A KMS key is used to enable KMS on a computer controlled by the system administrator in an organization. KMS activation is targeted at managed environments where more than 25 computers are connected to the organizational network. Computers running Windows Vista activate by connecting to a central Windows Vista computer running KMS.
In case of KMS activation, client computers must connect to a KMS host at least once every 180 days to renew their activation. Computers that are not activated try to connect with the KMS host every two hours (value configurable). Once activated, these computers attempt to renew their activation (locally) every seven days (value configurable), and if successful, their 180-day activation life span is renewed.
The computers locate the KMS host using one of the following two methods:
The client computers have a 30-day grace period to complete the activation. Computers that are not activated within this grace period go into Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM). For more information about RFM, see Reduced Functionality.