KMS Updates to Support Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7
Hi All,
Information on upgrading your KMS to support Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 KMS clients is available in the following TechNet article:
Volume Activation Planning Guide
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd878528.aspx
Upgrading Existing KMS Hosts
KMS hosts that are running Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, or Windows Server 2008 can be configured to support KMS clients that are running Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. For Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, it is necessary to update the KMS host with a package with files that support the expanded KMS client. This package is available through the Microsoft Download Center at https://www.microsoft.com/downloads or through Windows Update and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). Once the package is installed on the KMS host, a KMS key that is designed to support Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 can be installed and activated as described earlier in this guide. The KMS key that supports the new versions of the Windows operating systems also provides support for the previous Volume License editions of Windows that are acting as KMS clients.
In the case of updating a Windows Server 2003 KMS host, all necessary files are contained within the KMS 1.2 downloadable package, which is available through the Microsoft Download Center at https://www.microsoft.com/downloads.
The updates for KMS to support Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 are expected to be ready as follows:
· KMS for Windows Sever 2003 v1.2 is expected to be posted to the download center on 11th August (US time). These links currently connect to v1.1 but will be updated when v1.2 is complete. KB968915 will cover this release. It will be published on, or before, the release of this update.
· The KMS update for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 is expected to be available via WU/WSUS on 25th August (US time). Service Pack 2 will need to be installed on the KMS host system(s), as a prerequisite (NOTE: A benefit of installing SP2 on the KMS host is that will be able to include virtual machines in the activation threshold count). KB968912 will cover this release. It will be published on, or before, the release of this update.
Customers will need to install the appropriate update on their existing KMS host(s) and then install the new KMS host key for Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 and activate. Once activated, the KMS host will be able to activate all products (depending on the KMS key that is used).
Nick.