No, you have to configure it correctly. There is a default rule for KMS, but it's disabled. Just enable it and change the allowed remote addresses from "local net" to any. Edit: Also make sure it applies to the network profile you have set (public, private, domain).
Information there is not quite complete. @Activation Count Cache - To track the activation threshold, the KMS host keeps a record of the KMS client computers that request activation. The KMS host gives each KMS client computer a client machine identification (CMID) designation, and the KMS host saves each CMID in a table. Each activation request remains in the table for 30 days. When a client computer renews its activation, the cached CMID is removed from the table, a new record is created, and the 30-day period begins again. If a KMS client computer does not renew its activation within 30 days, the KMS host removes the corresponding CMID from the table and reduces the activation count by one. The KMS host caches twice the number of CMIDs that KMS clients require to help ensure that the CMID count does not drop below the activation threshold. For example, on a network with client computers running Windows 8, the KMS activation threshold is 25, so the KMS host caches the CMIDs of the most recent 50 activations. The KMS activation threshold for Windows Server 2008 R2 is 5. A KMS host that is contacted only by KMS client computers running Windows Server 2008 R2 would cache the 10 most recent CMIDs. If a client computer running Windows 8 later contacts that KMS host, KMS increases the cache size to 50 to accommodate the higher threshold. KMS never reduces the cache size. Source: cnblue - Coco Islands in the Bay of Bengal - WGS84 (14-07-00-N,93-22-03-E)
I am a little confused now. Do I need two physical computers to activate my Windows 8 installation? Is it possible for me to run KMS server inside a VM and activate the host OS on the same computer? For example, currently I have only one laptop, and I have already installed VMWare Workstation on this laptop. Now that the host OS on this laptop is Windows 8, and the guest OS inside VMWare Workstation is running Windows 8 KMS server. Can I activate the host OS with the KMS server running inside the VMWare Workstation? If it is possible, how do I set up the Internet connection settings in VMWare Workstation? Bridged or NAT or? Or it is only possible to be done with two physical computers? I've read the above posts, and they have mentioned that running a KMS server inside a VM, but it looks like they are running KMS Server inside VMWare Workstation on computer A, and activate computer B. What I want is running KMS Server inside VMWare Workstation on computer A, and activate the Windows 8 installation on computer A. Do I get it wrong? Hope someone could clarify it for me. Thanks!
Quick question.. Since the CSVLK key (KMS key -B4W3F) 'released' works to just activate Windows 8 machines and not Windows Server 2012 machines (even though the hot fix KB 'enables' support for both), I have a question just to get clarification: As I understand this Win8 KMS key will activate Windows 8 only as is now.. but Windows Server 2012 KMS key (when/if released/leaked) will activate both (Win8 and Server 2012) from the same KMS server correct? If this is the case, could be possible to just add/replace this new key to the win7/8 kms server we are creating/using at this point or we would need to create a Windows Server 2012 KMS server in order to use the new KMS key? Thanks!
Not without turning it into a "frankenbuild", because a server-type key will only install on Server 2008 R2 or Server 2012.
Yes, sorry... I meant to say just up to Windows 8 versions only, I was just referring to the latest version this time but thanks tough for the note, I should have clarified it a bit more.. I need a cup of coffee ... Thanks 100, that answers it.
Successfully activated Windows 8, but... Hi. I have successfully followed the instructions given by EFA11 to activate Windows 8, namely: ........................... 1. slmgr.vbs /ipk ENTER-KEY 2. slmgr /skms 147.134.1.42 3. slmgr.vbs /ato 4. slmgr.vbs /ckms .................. But... 5. What happens when my "license to use Windows expires on 18/4/13"? - do I need to carry out the above steps again to reactivate Windows and gain another 180 days? 6. Can I just carry on reactivating Windows (steps 1-4 above) every 180 days, ad infinitum, so as to retain a fully "activated" copy for ever? 7. Please advise me how to keep a fully "activated" Windows 8 beyond my initial expiry date of 18/4/13. Thank you to The_Spider for this great thread & all contributors - especially EFA11 - for enlightening us! CrVMo
KMS activations only last for 180 days. Before or on the 180th day, just reactivate using the same commands you used in your just activated windows 8 to get another 180 days of activation.
Certainly, you can activate your W8 ad infinitum if the mooo or 147...server is alive for ever ( which I doubt ). Every 180 days or earlier, you can/must reactivate your system. If not, you fall back into notification mode which shows watermark and other limitations. At this point, you need a solution like a genuine key or a working KMS at your home or a new external server which delivers your activation data.
so windows 8 pro must be activated for 180 days ? so i can activate via same serial number and set kms server mahooo. ?? and windows 8 enterprise ?