• Windows Key Management Service (KMS)

  • The KMS service enables the automatic allocation and activation of Windows and Office volume licenses.

General information

The KMS service enables the automatic allocation and activation of Microsoft Windows and Office volume licenses (VL). Only VL versions can be activated!

VL versions are available for IT representatives both via the KIT software store and via \\sccfs.scc.kit.edu\service\scccc\software\microsoft.

Scope

The KMS service is available within the KIT network and for connections via VPN.
The use of the KMS service requires a valid volume license of the user. The SCC is not responsible for any misuse of the KMS service.

Utilization

The KMS service can be used in two ways:

Automatic activation

  • either "kit.edu" is included in the Windows DNS suffix search list so that the SRV entry "_vlmcs._tcp.kit.edu" is also resolved for the KMS service during DNS name resolution;
  • or the computer becomes a member of the KIT-AD.

Manual activation

Start "cmd.exe" as administrator on the client to be activated (via right-click --> Start as administrator...) and enter the following commands:

Windows
  • slmgr.vbs -skms kms.scc.kit.edu
  • slmgr.vbs -ato
Office 2021 / 2024
  • cscript "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /sethst:kms.scc.kit.edu
  • cscript "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /act

Please make sure that port 1688 (outbound) is enabled in the firewall.

Costs

Use of the service is free of charge.

Included services

The KMS service currently activates the following Windows operating systems (as of 04/2026):

  • Windows 10 / 11 Enterprise / Enterprise LTSC
  • Windows 11 Education
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2022
  • Windows Server 2025

The following Office versions are also activated

  • Office 2021 LTSC
  • Office 2024 LTSC

In principle, we only support products that are still supported by the manufacturer:

Services not included

If the client does not have access to the KIT network, a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) must be used for activation. The MAK can be requested via the SCC ServiceDesk.

Organizational requirements

In addition to the software included in the EES contract, software from the Select Plus framework contract can also be activated. Software from the Select Plus framework agreement must be purchased explicitly.

Technical requirements

Activation via a KMS service requires the use of special volume license versions. Retail, OEM, MSDN or MSDNAA versions cannot be activated via the KMS service.