In this article, we will talk over the basics of MS Office KMS activation (this guide applies to the book editions of Office 2021, 2019, and 2016, including Project and Visio). This takes place after yous take to install and activate the KMS (Key Management Service) host on Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012 R2.

A corporate KMS server makes information technology easy to actuate book editions of Microsoft products (such as Windows and Office) in an internal or isolated enterprise network without the demand to provide direct access to Microsoft's Internet activation servers for clients, and without using phone activation.

Update. In October 2021, Microsoft released the new not-subscription version of Function LTSC 2021 (along with Windows 11). The LTSC version of Office 2021 is for customers who don't desire to get the Microsoft 365 subscription-based version of Office. The LTSC version is also for organizations with computers that don't want to receive feature upgrades or connect to the Internet. Enterprise customers tin can begin deploying the new Role 2021 LTSC on their computers side by side with previous versions of Office. To activate Role 2021 LTSC Book License version, you can add back up for the new version of Office to your KMS activation host.

Configure a KMS Host Server to Activate MS Role 2021, 2019, and 2016

Note. This guide applies just for Microsoft Role 2021/2019/2016 nether book license excluding Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (ex- Office 365 ProPlus). This MS Role version is subscription-based and tin be activated online only.

Microsoft Office KMS Server Requirements

To activate the Volume License Office version (Project or Visio), yous must have a configured KMS host.

Make sure the computer that is going to be used as a KMS server meets the requirements on the supported Operating System versions:

  • MS Part 2021 — Windows x, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016/2019/2022;
  • MS Office 2019 — Windows ten, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019;
  • Microsoft Office 2016 — additionally supports Windows seven SP1 (with the KB2757817 installed), and Windows Server 2008 R2 (with the KB2757817).

When deploying a specific volume version of Office, you need to consider the date when Microsoft plans to end support:

  • Function 2013 — Apr 11, 2023;
  • Function 2016 and Function 2019 — Oct 14, 2025;
  • Office 2021 LTSC — October thirteen, 2026 (Microsoft volition support Office LTSC 2021 in accordance with its Fixed Lifecycle Policy, which offers 5 years of mainstream support without extended support).

Office KMS and Windows KMS services can run on the same server or a workstation with the Volume Activation Services part installed.

You can install the Volume Activation Service on Windows Server using Server Manager (Add roles and Features > Server Role > Volume Activation Services > Adjacent > Next > Finish) or by using the following PowerShell command:

Install-WindowsFeature -Name VolumeActivation -IncludeAllSubFeature

office 2016 kms activation

To make sure the VolumeActivation part is installed, run the following control and check the Install State:

get-WindowsFeature -Name VolumeActivation

office 2016 activation kms

Showtime, find and re-create your MS Role 2016 or Part 2019 KMS host key in the personal zone on Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) website.

activate office 2016 kms

Install Office Volume License Pack

Now download the Book License Pack for your Office version and install it on the KMS host.

The Microsoft Function Volume License Pack is an executable file that installs all the necessary license files on the KMS server to activate a specific Office version, including Visio and Project, and recognizes the KMS host key. You must download and install the version of the Office Volume License Pack depending on the version of Office you are planning to utilize, and for which you received the KMS Host Primal from the VLSC.

To actuate Microsoft Role, you demand to install an appropriate Part Volume License Pack, and KMS host key for each MS Function version you want to use (unlike Windows KMS activation, where the newest KMS Host fundamental can activate older versions of Windows).

For example, you lot tin can't activate Office 2013 on a KMS server with just the KMS Host key for Office 2019 installed. In this case, you need to install two versions of the Book License Pack and 2 Office KMS Host keys on the KMS server.

Yous can download the latest Office Volume License Pack from the Microsoft Download Heart using the following links:

  • Microsoft Role LTSC 2021 Volume License Pack
  • Microsoft Office 2019 Volume License Pack
  • Microsoft Office 2016 Book License Pack
  • Microsoft Part 2013 Volume License Pack

Download the x86 or x64 version of Office Volume Licensing, depending on the bitness of the Windows on the host.

kms office 2016

Yous need to run the downloaded file (office2016volumelicensepack_4324-1002_en-us_x64.exe, office2019volumelicensepack_x64.exe, or Office2021VolumeLicensePack_x64.exe) every bit an ambassador on your KMS server. The installer contains new KMS host license files. These license files permit your KMS host service to recognize KMS Host keys for Office, Project, and Visio. The activation files update script volition be launched.

kms activation office 2016

During the installation, the Volume Activation Tool windows volition appear. You tin choose one of the post-obit activation methods: using the Agile Directory (ADBA activation), or with the KMS host.

In that location are two types of MS Office activation:

  • Direct activation with KMS server;
  • The Active Directory-Based Activation (ADBA) that requires an Active Directory domain with Windows 2012 schema version, and with at least Windows Server 2012 as a domain controller.

MS Role KMS Activation Method

  1. If you are going to utilize the direct KMS activation, choose the Key Management service, set your KMS server FQDN name, and install the KMS Host Key obtained earlier. You tin install the KMS host central later by using the following command:
    slmgr -ipk <Office-2019-KMS-Host-Key>)

    office 2016 kms key

  2. Select the activation method by either using a phone or online. During the initial stage, provide a direct Internet connection on your server. Or you should activate your KMS server past phone. To run the Windows phone activation wizard run the command:
    slui.exe 4

    kms office 2016 activation

  3. Afterward you activated your Office KMS server, the window with your current KMS configuration will appear;
  4. There must appear Name:Office 16, VOLUME_KMS_channel. Proper name:Office xix, Office19KMSHost2019VL_KMS_Host, or Name:Office 21, VOLUME_KMSCLIEN_channel in the list of products with Licensed status;
  5. Shut the Volume Activation Tools. Afterwards this Software Protection Service volition be restarted with a new configuration.

kms activator office 2019

By default, the Software Protection Service that performs the KMS activation listens on TCP port 1688. You lot can enable an incoming Windows Firewall rule that allows clients to admission the KMS server using the PowerShell command:

Enable-NetFirewallRule -Name SPPSVC-In-TCP

In this case, a new SRV _VLMCS._TCP_domainname record is created in your frontward lookup DNS zone on the domain controller. It allows clients to automatically observe your KMS server in the domain. You can notice the KMS server in the current Active Directory domain using the nslookup control:

nslookup -blazon=srv _vlmcs._tcp

office 2016 kms

Printing Enter key in the Volume License Pack Install console.

You tin check KMS server connectivity from a client device with MS Office installed. Exercise information technology using the PowerShell, run the following command:

Test-NetConnection your-kms-server-name –Port 1688

In the case of the "TcpTestSucceeded: Truthful" response, you can point your calculator to this KMS server.

office 2019 kms

The Active Directory-Based Activation for MS Office 2021/2019/2016

If you want to use Active Directory-Based Activation, you need to choose this pick in your Volume Activation Tools wizard (you lot can use the ADBA activation for the clients running Windows 11/ten/8.i or Windows Server 2012/2012 R2/2016/2019/2022).

kms office 2019

Then yous demand to specify the KMS host key (CSVLK) and enter the display proper name for a new activation object (optional).

online kms activation office 2016

Your remaining job is to activate the KMS host.

activate office 2019 kms

After that, close the VAT windows, and printing Enter. To obtain information merely about the Role KMS host cardinal that was installed, you demand to execute a script with the specific Activation ID for your version of Office (the corresponding identifier could be seen earlier in the final stage of the Volume Activation Tools utility):

For Office 2016:

slmgr.vbs /dlv 98ebfe73-2084-4c97-932c-c0cd1643bea7

For Role 2019:

slmgr.vbs /dlv 70512334-47B4-44DB-A233-BE5EA33B914C

For Part 2021 LTSC:

slmgr.vbs /dlv 7F3B983-7C53-4D45-ABC6-BCD91E2DD90A

To cheque if your KMS host is ready to activate MS Office clients in your network, run the command:

slmgr.vbs /dli all

Y'all can see some useful data near your KMS host here:

Proper noun: Office 19, Office19KMSHost2019VL_KMS_Host
Clarification: Role 19. Volume KMS channel
License Condition: Licensed

This block says that Office 2019 Volume License Pack is installed and activated on the host.

  • Current count — the number of clients activated on this KMS host;
  • Listening port — the default 1688 TCP port is used;
  • DNS publishing — automatic publication of the srv _vlmcs._tcp record in DNS is enabled;
  • Total requests received — how many clients accept tried to connect to this KMS host in the concluding 30 days.

kms activator office 2016

Manual KMS Activation of Office 2021/2019/2016 using Ospp.vbs

To activate the Role volume re-create on the customer's computer, you can use the built-in ospp.vbs VBScript file (Office Customer Software License Management Tool). Run these commands in Command Prompt as ambassador:

  • For Office 2016:
    CD "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16"

    If you are using the 32-flake MS Function version installed on 64-bit Windows, you lot need to employ this control:

    CD "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Part\Office16" )
  • For Office 2019:
    CD "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office19"

    Or accordingly:

    CD "C:\Programme Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office19" )
  • For Part 2021 LTSC:
    CD "c:\Plan Files\Microsoft Office\Office21"
  • Specify the KMS server name. In this case, the KMS server address will exist stored in the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\KeyManagementServiceName, and you can deploy this REG_SZ parameter via GPO:
    cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms01.yourdomain.com
  • You can alter the KMS server connection port on the client using the control (REG_SZ parameter in the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\KeyManagementServicePort):
    cscript ospp.vbs /setprt:1688
  • Activate your Office copy on the KMS server:
    cscript ospp.vbs /act
  • You tin go the current status of activation using this command:
    cscript ospp.vbs /dstatusall

office 2019 kms key

For Part 2016:

License Proper name: Function sixteen, Office16ProPlusVL_KMS_Client edition
License DESCRIPTION: Office 16, VOLUME_KMSCLIENT channel
Production activation successfully

For Office 2019:

License Proper noun: Function 19, Office19KMSHost2019VL_KMS_Host edition
License DESCRIPTION: Office 19, VOLUME_KMS channel
Product activation successfully

For Role 2021 LTSC:

License NAME: Office 21, Office21KMSHost21VL_KMS_Host edition
License DESCRIPTION: Function 21, VOLUME_KMS_CLIENT channel

To activate your devices with the Office 2019/2016 installed on the KMS server, at that place must exist at to the lowest degree five clients' requests within the last 30 days (activation threshold). If there are not enough activation requests from clients on the KMS server (you did not attain a minimum number of copies to get the licensing working), an mistake volition appear:

ERROR Lawmaking: 0xC004F038

ERROR Clarification: The Software Licensing Service reported that the production could not be activated. The count reported by your Key Management Service (KMS) is insufficient. Please contact your system administrator.

The activation menses is 180 days. The reactivation period is 7 days after which the activation period is being reset back to 180 days. If your computer cannot connect to the KMS server within 180 days, your re-create of Office switches to xxx-mean solar day evaluation mode.

You can display the activation history on the client:

cscript ospp.vbs /dhistorykms

To manage Function activation with current user credentials on remote computers, you can use the following command:

cscript ospp.vbs /act remotepc2

If during client activation you are facing an error 0xC004F074, this is a known trouble that does not still accept a normal solution except for re-installing KMS on Windows Server 2012 R2 or creating a split up KMS for Function 2016 simply.

Office 2021/2019/2016: Generic Volume License Keys for KMS and ADBA Activation

By default, volume licensed versions of Office 2021, 2019, and Office 2016 are preinstalled with the Generic Volume License Keys (GVLK). GVLKs allow the installed Office re-create to automatically discover and actuate Office on the KMS host by using a special VLSC record in DNS.

Meanwhile, after you lot installed the KMS host or created the ADBA object, the installed MS Office copy on the computer is activating automatically (as long as the estimator has a GVLK installed, and the estimator is joined to the Active Directory domain). Therefore, the GVLK key is non required commonly (they are preinstalled in all Function 2021/2019/2016 volume license products).

Note. You can install Office 2019 or 2021 LTSC only on Windows 10/11 and Windows Server 2016/2019/2022.

Optionally, the Office product key tin be inverse to KMS from the control prompt (yous can use such a control when moving from MAK to the KMS channel and vice-versa):

cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

You lot can get an up-to-date GVLK list for KMS activation of Part 2021, 2019, and 2016 (including Role Professional person Plus/Standard, Project Professional person/Standard, Visio Pro/Standard, Admission, Excel, Outlook, Give-and-take, Skype for Business organisation) using the link.

office activation kms

Please note that these license keys can't be used to actuate personal/home editions of MS Role.

  • Nearly
  • Latest Posts

I enjoy engineering and developing websites. Since 2012 I'm running a few of my own websites, and share useful content on gadgets, PC assistants and website promotion.