Activating Windows Products via KMS
The following activation information applies to:
- Windows Vista Enterprise
- Windows 7 Enterprise
- Windows 8 Enterprise
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2012
- Microsoft Office 2010 Enterprise
Activating Windows Products
Once you have installed the Microsoft product on your departmental computer, you'll need to activate your license using the university's Key Management Service (KMS). If you are on the university network (wired, 'utexas' wireless network, or 'restricted.utexas.edu' wireless network), this should happen automatically.
Note: Your computer MUST be on campus to properly activate your license using the university's KMS. You CANNOT access the KMS from off-campus, even if you use the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect to campus remotely.
Verifying Activation
To check the activation status of Windows operating systems:
Click on the Start Menu icon. In the search field, search for and open Activate Windows.
In the Windows Activation window, make sure it says "Windows is activated."
Note: If you see "X days to activate. Activate Window now," select the link to open the activation wizard, then follow the steps to activate your license.
Once activated, the operating system will regularly check in with the university's KMS server to keep activation up-to-date.
If you will be away from the university for more than 240 days, you may be eligible to use an alternative activation method. Departments must contact 
ITS Software Distribution & Sales for eligibility information.
If you do not activate your Windows operating system immediately, the software will attempt to contact the Key Management Service (KMS) every few days to activate itself. After 30 days, Windows stops trying to contact the KMS, but notifies you each time you turn your computer on that the license needs to be activated. If you still have not activated the license after 210 days, some functionality — including Aero, Windows-ready boost (USB memory), and optional updates (critical updates will still be allowed) — will stop working until the license is activated. In addition, you will only be able to use the product for one hour at a time. After 240 days, all of the operating system's functionality, except Notepad, will stop working until the license is activated.
Note: If you have questions about activating any of the listed applications using the KMS, please address them to kms-support@utlists.utexas.edu.
Last updated October 23, 2012 @ 3:39 pm
