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\scc\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

The client to be activated searches for the KMS host itself via a DNS entry (_vlmcs._tcp.) and connects to it.

The necessary SRV record _vlmcs has been set in the following DNS domains, among others:

• kit.edu
• scc.kit.edu

On request, the SRV record can also be set up in other DNS domains managed centrally by the SCC.

The clients are also activated automatically if they are members of the KIT-AD.

Manual activation

If there is no corresponding SRV record in the DNS domain for which the client has been configured, activation must be carried out manually.

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 2016 / 2019 / 2021

• cscript "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /sethst:kms.scc.kit.edu
• cscript "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs" /act

The VB script: ospp.vbs can also be located under "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\", depending on the combination of operating system and Office architecture.

The path must be adjusted accordingly for other Office versions. For example, "Office15" must be used for Office 2013 in the above path.

Please ensure 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 06/2024):

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

The following Office versions are also activated:

• Office 2016
• Office 2019
• Office 2021 LTSC

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 agreement 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.