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Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center

You should know

When you reserve Online Services, be sure to choose the correct product for your company. Select an Add-on only if the agreement that you are working on has active Software Assurance coverage with eligible licenses.

What is the VLSC?

The Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) is an online platform made to make managing your Microsoft Volume Licensing agreements simple. Within the VLSC, you can access your licensing information, view agreements and purchases for your organization, and access licensing summaries of all entitlements by product and version. You can also view all assigned product keys and download products in the VLSC.

VLSC Downloads Keys Subscriptions Online Services

VLSC Getting Started and Administration

VLSC License Relationship Summary Information

VLSC Online Service Reservations Enterprise Agreements

Get help managing your Software Assurance benefits.

If you have an Open agreement, you can take advantage of a simplified process for activating online services through the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). Updates to the process include the following improvements:

• Keys to activate your online service are automatically entered for you, so that you no longer have to copy and paste them from one place to another.
• A new section in theVLSC Frequently Asked Questionsprovides answers to common questions about online services activation.

If you use the VLSC to manage your online services, you can continue to activate services there. The new Online Service Activations tab in the VLSC makes it easy to find the right page.

Find out how to activate online services in the VLSC

To use Microsoft online services, such as Office 365, you and other users in your organization need to sign in to them by using an Organizational Account. If you are an administrator, you can create this Organizational Account to enable those in your organization to sign in.

Learn how to create an Organizational Account

If you don’t use the VLSC and are subscribing to online services only, you can activate your online services by using a faster process that does not involve the VLSC.

Find out how to activate online services without the VLSC

Microsoft Volume Licensing Activation Centers worldwide telephone numbers

Find toll and toll-free telephone numbers for worldwide Volume Licensing Activation Centers.

Worldwide telephone numbers

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Volume License keys

What is product activation?

• Product activation is a process during which a product key is input to allow the use of the software. Activation establishes a relationship between the software's product key and a particular installation of that software on a device.

Activation types include Retail, Volume, and OEM, and most require interactive steps such as entering a product key from the packaging or contacting a networked server or phone service center.

Activation technologies and tools vary according to the different channels for the software—Retail, Volume License, and OEM.

What is a Setup Key?

• Setup keys are used for each product/version combination to "unlock" the product and will bypass activation.

There are three ways to obtain setup keys:

• Physical fulfillment. For products acquired through physical fulfillment, the setup key is printed on the media sleeve.
• Download fulfillment. For products acquired by download, the setup key is provided with the download.
• For products that are available for download from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) website, the setup key is provided on the download screen and may be accompanied with the following text: "Some products available for download require setup keys. Please take note of this setup key as it will be needed during product installation."
• You can call the Activation Call Centerto obtain the setup keys you need. When you call, you will be asked to provide Volume Licensing agreement information and proof of purchase.

How does Microsoft determine which product keys are associated with my agreements?

• Volume License product keys are provided for each Licensing IDlisted in your Microsoft Relationship Summaryin the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). You may have several Licensing IDs.
• Enterprise Agreement (EA) customers receive keys per product pool (systems, servers, applications).
• Select License customers receive keys per product pool (systems, servers, applications).
• Select Plus customers receive keys per product pool (systems, servers, applications).
• Open License and Open Value customers receive applicable keys based on their license purchase.

Note:All customers have the right to use keys for reimaging and downgrade. Enterprise Agreement, Select License, and Select Plus customers are also provided with evaluation rights and limited software copies for training and back-up.

For more information refer to the TechNet article titled How to Choose the Right Volume License Key.

What is Volume Activation?

• Volume Activationis a product activation technology that was first introduced with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. It is designed to allow Volume License customers to automate the activation process in a way that is transparent to end users.

Volume Activation applies only to systems that are covered under a Volume Licensing program and is used strictly as a tool for activation. It is not tied to license invoicing or billing.

Volume Activation provides different models for completing volume activations.

• Key Management Service (KMS)– KMS allows organizations to activate systems within their own network.
• Multiple Activation Key (MAK)– MAK activates systems on a one-time basis, using Microsoft's hosted activation services.
• Starting with Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Office 2013
• Active Directory-based Activation
• During Active Directory-based Activation, any Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, and Office 2013 computers connected to the domain will activate automatically and transparently during computer setup. These clients stay activated as long as they remain members of the domain and maintain periodic contact with a domain controller.

Important:As part of your installation, it is important to plan and manage deployment of any product using Volume Activation.

• Read more about Active Directory-based Activation.

What is the Key Management Service (KMS)?

• The Key Management Service (KMS)is an activation service that allows organizations to activate systems within their own network, eliminating the need for individual computers to connect to Microsoft for product activation. It does not require a dedicated system and can be easily co-hosted on a system that provides other services.

KMS requires a minimum number of either physical or virtual computers in a network environment. These minimums, called activation thresholds, are set so that they are easily met by Enterprise customers.

• Activation Thresholds for Windows– Your organization must have at least five (5) computers to activate servers running Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2012 and at least twenty-five (25) computers to activate client systems running Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8.
• Activation Thresholds for Office– Your organization must have at least five (5) computers running Office 2013, Project 2013, Visio 2013, Office 2010, Project 2010, or Visio 2010 to activate installed Office products using KMS. For more information about Volume Activation of Office products, see the Volume Activation Quick Start Guide for Office 2010and Volume Activation Overview for Office 2010.

For more information about activation thresholds, see the Volume Activation Planning Guide.

What is a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) and how does it work?

• A Multiple Activation Key (MAK) requires computers to connect one time to a Microsoft activation server. Once computers are activated, no further communication with Microsoft is required. There are two activation methods for MAK:
• MAK Independent Activation: Each computer individually connects to Microsoft via the web or telephone to complete activation.
• MAK Proxy Activation: This method uses the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT). One centralized activation request is made on behalf of multiple computers with one connection to Microsoft online or by telephone. Note:VAMT enables IT professionals to automate and centrally manage the volume activation process using a MAK.

Each MAK has a predetermined number of allowed activations, based on your Volume Licensing agreement. To increase your MAK activation limit, please contact your Microsoft Activation Center.

Read more details about product activation for products using Volume Activation.

Are there usage limits on MAKs?

• Yes. MAKs allow a predetermined number of activations. This number depends on the type of agreement you have. The number of activations can be revised (at the request of the customer or of Microsoft) to accommodate your regular usage.

You can find the number of activations remaining on a MAK by going to the VLSCor by using the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT). If the existing activation limit on your MAK is inadequate for your deployment, contact the Microsoft Activation Center.

Find the telephone number for your Microsoft Activation Center.

Can I use both MAK and KMS for activating systems in my organization?

Yes. As a Volume Licensing customer, you can use a KMS hosted activation service and/or MAKs to activate your computers, depending on the needs of your environment.

Office 2010 or 2013-Do I need a dedicated server to run KMS for Office 2010/2013?

• No, you do not need a dedicated server, A KMS host is a light weight service, and you may co-host an Office and Windows KMS host. However, only Windows Server 2003, Windows 7volume editions, and Windows Server 2008 R2are supported as Office KMS hosts.

The KMS and MAK activation processes for Office 2013 are basically the same as they were for Office 2010, except that the Office 2013 KMS host is not supported on Windows Server 2003. The Office 2013 KMS host is supported on Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7 VL edition, Windows 8 VL edition, and Windows Server 2012.

Can I use my Volume License Keys to exercise my reimaging rights?

• Yes. Reimaging rights are granted to all Microsoft Volume Licensing customers. Under these rights, customers may reimage original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or full packaged product (FPP) licensed copies using media provided under their Volume Licensing agreement as long as copies made from the Volume Licensing media are identical to the originally licensed product.

As a Volume Licensing customer, the Volume License Keys you need can be found on the Product Key page. You can also request your key(s) through the Activation Call Centers. Note that if you are an Open License customer, you must purchase at least one unit of the product that you want to reimage to obtain access to the product media and receive a key.

For more information, read the Volume Licensing brief about reimaging

What if we do not activate our computers?

Volume Activation is designed to provide a transparent activation experience for users. If activation does not happen within the grace period provided (normally 30 days), the computer transitions into what is known as “notification mode.” During notification mode the user will see activation reminders during login, as well as notification in the Action Center.

Microsoft Volume Licensing Activation Centers worldwide telephone numbers

Find toll and toll-free telephone numbers for worldwide Volume Licensing Activation Centers.

Worldwide telephone numbers