The Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) can be used to perform activation for client computers that do not have Internet access. The client products can be installed with any type of product key that is eligible for proxy activation: MAK, retail, and KMS host or client key.

In a typical proxy-activation scenario, the VAMT host computer distributes a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) to one or more client computers and collects the installation ID (IID) from each computer. The VAMT host computer sends the IIDs to Microsoft on behalf of the client computers and obtains the corresponding Confirmation IDs (CIDs). The VAMT host computer then installs the CIDs on the client computer to complete the activation. Using this activation method, only the VAMT host computer needs Internet access.

Note

For workgroups that are completely isolated from any larger network, you can still perform MAK, KMS host or client or retail proxy activation. This requires installing a second instance of the VAMT on a computer within the isolated group and using removable media to transfer activation data between that computer and another VAMT host computer that has Internet access. For more information about this scenario, see Scenario 2: MAK proxy activation. Similarly, you can proxy activate a KMS host located in an isolated network. You can also proxy activate a KMS host in the core network if you do not want the KMS host computer to connect to Microsoft over the Internet.

Requirements

Before performing proxy activation, ensure that your network and the VAMT installation meet the following requirements:

  • The VAMT is installed on a computer that has Internet access.

  • The products to be activated have been added to the VAMT and are installed with a retail product key, KMS host or client key or a MAK. If the products have not been installed with a proper product key, refer to the steps in the Add and Remove a Product Key section for instructions on how to install a product key.

  • The VAMT has administrative permissions on all products to be activated and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is accessible through the Windows firewall.

  • For workgroup computers, a registry key must be created to enable remote administrative actions under User Account Control (UAC). For more information, see Configure Client Computers.

Users are advised to check if the product keys have sufficient remaining activations prior to the operation. In the product key list in the center pane, select the MAK and click Refresh Product Key Data Online to contact Microsoft and retrieve the number of remaining activations for the MAK. Note that this step requires Internet access, and that the remaining activation count can only be retrieved for MAKs.

To perform proxy activation

  1. Open the VAMT Microsoft® Management Console snap-in.

  2. Select the individual products to be activated in the product list view in the center pane.

  3. Right-click the selected product(s) to display the context-sensitive Actions menu, or choose from the Action menu on the top menu bar, or choose from the Selected Items menu from the right-hand pane.

  4. On the menu, click Activate and then click Proxy Activate to display the Proxy Activate dialog box.

  5. Select the Apply Confirmation ID and Activate check boxes.

  6. If you are activating products that require administrator credentials different from the ones you are currently using, select the Use Alternate Credentials checkbox.

  7. Click OK.

  8. The VAMT will display the Activating products dialog box until it completes the requested action. If you selected the Alternate Credentials option, you will be prompted to enter the credentials.

Note

You can use proxy activation to select products with multiple key types and activate them simultaneously.