Simplify with the Volume Activation Management Tool

There’s a new Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) available from Microsoft to help administrators manage Multiple Activation Key (MAK) activation for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. The way MAK activation works is that the key must be installed on the end system (there are a number of ways to do this - see our latest TechNet Webcast for more details and demos) and then that system is activated with the Microsoft-hosted activation and validation services either online or over the phone. If you are activating one system with MAK, the effort required is minimal. However, if you want to MAK activate multiple systems or transition between activation methods (i.e. MAK to KMS, KMS to MAK, etc.) it gets a bit more complicated. VAMT can help with that.

VAMT uses Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to communicate with end-systems and provides the following features to help manage activation:


  • Track and administer multiple MAK keys and remaining activations
  • Discover systems via IP address, computer name, Workgroup or Active Directory membership
  • View current activation status for Windows Vista (and later) and Windows Server 2008 (and later) operating systems – includes data such as license state, Windows edition, and the last 5 of the product key installed on the end system
  • Transition systems between MAK and KMS activation (and vice versa)
  • Perform activation/reactivation using cached data (i.e. local reactivation)
The current version of VAMT (1.2) is part of the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7. Unlike previous editions, VAMT 1.2 is only available in the Windows AIK and is not published as a standalone download.

The primary difference between VAMT 1.1 and 1.2 is the added support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. If you are using an earlier version of VAMT, you’ll need to install VAMT 1.2 to manage MAK keys and activations for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. You will first need to uninstall the older version of VAMT and then install VAMT 1.2 as part of the Windows AIK. Your current inventory/key data can be saved in a Computer Information List (CIL) file (XML) and opened in the new version. No need to re-enter any keys or rebuild your computer list.

An updated version of VAMT (VAMT 2.0) is currently in beta and expected to release in the first quarter of this year. VAMT 2.0 is a managed MMC plug-in and will offer a number of new features:


  • Support for the upcoming Office 2010 release
  • Support for additional product key types, such as KMS keys
  • Additional computer search capabilities (LDAP query)
  • Command Line Interface that can be scripted to run VAMT tasks without the interactive UI
Download the beta today and give it a try.

No matter the version you are using, VAMT can help with several management and tracking activities related to product activation in your environment.

Until next time!

- Jodi


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Thanks Big Guy, good information.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
Interesting read but I take it this is not something that someone like me would need to be worried about, or should I say, would need to have to implement on my system.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32 bit/ Windows 8.1 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zoostorm/ Asus K55A Notebook
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2400 MHz
    Motherboard
    Foxconn 45CMX/45GMX/45CMX-K
    Memory
    2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM)/8GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Corp 82945G Integrated Graphics Controller
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hanns.G HH221 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    ExcelStor (250GB)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (UK)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Internet Speed
    Just under 4MB download it's ADSL.
    Other Info
    Epson Stylus SX415 All-in-one Printer,
    Seagate Expansion 500GB External Desktop Drive
very cool
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1 oem
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    asus s500ca
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3317U @ 1.70GHz :(
    Memory
    8GB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS545050A7E380 500GB
    KINGSTON SMSM150S324G 24GB SSD for caching??????
    Internet Speed
    35MB up/down
    Browser
    IE 11
This combined with the news that you can get a volume licensing activation key if you have two or more computers means that if you want to upgrade your house you can do it very easily now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zen Productions/000001
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-860
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4P
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 2x2gb @ 1600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 5770 HD OCd
    Sound Card
    Integrated HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung P2570HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Caviar Black 500gb
    PSU
    Corsair 750W HX
    Case
    Antec P183
    Cooling
    Corsair H-50
    Keyboard
    Logitech G110
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Revolution
    Internet Speed
    500kb/s average
Volume licencing already for two systems? Really? Please tell more, I've missed this completely.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
A news article was posted on the Seven Forums about it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Zen Productions/000001
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-860
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4P
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 2x2gb @ 1600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon 5770 HD OCd
    Sound Card
    Integrated HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung P2570HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Caviar Black 500gb
    PSU
    Corsair 750W HX
    Case
    Antec P183
    Cooling
    Corsair H-50
    Keyboard
    Logitech G110
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Revolution
    Internet Speed
    500kb/s average
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