Step 3: Determine Activation Method and Product License Requirements
Applies To: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2
After selecting the activation methods that are appropriate for your organization in Step 2: Evaluate Client Connectivity, the next step is mapping computers that are using volume activation to activation methods. After you complete this step, you can complete your volume activation deployment plan by completing the steps in Step 4: Determine Monitoring and Reporting Needs.
You can use the following planning table to ensure that all computers are associated with an activation option.
Criteria |
Activation Method |
Number of Computers |
|---|---|---|
Number of computers running Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 or newer that will connect to the network at least once every 180 days (directly or through a VPN) |
Active Directory-based Activation |
|
Number of computers not running Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 or newer that will connect to the network at least once every 180 days (directly or through a VPN), and where the KMS activation threshold is met |
KMS |
|
Number of computers that do not connect to network at least once every 180 days |
MAK |
|
Number of computers running Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 or newer in isolated networks that connect at least once every 180 days to the core network |
Active Directory-based Activation or KMS |
|
Number of computers not running Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8 or newer in isolated networks that can contact a KMS host |
KMS |
|
Number of computers in isolated networks where the KMS activation threshold is not met |
MAK |
|
Number of computers in test and development labs that will not be activated |
None |