Windows 8.

1 Enterprise: Update Activation (MAK to KMS)

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[Return to Windows 8.1: LSU Overview]
General Information

Doing these steps will Update the Activation Method that Windows uses to Authorize
the Software License.

The Product Key is used to Activate your Windows 8.1 Enterprise Software
License from Microsoft. If the Product Key changes (which it will if you follow
the steps in this article), your installation of Windows will NO LONGER be able to
Activate its software license against the LSU Activation Server.

Completing these steps will Change the License Type From: MAK (Multiple
Activation Key) ... To: KMS (Key Management Service)
This License Activation Method Requires On-Campus Activation (OR Connection to
the LSU VPN) Every 90 Days to maintain an active software license for this
product. (Activation Type: Enterprise Server)

Change Activation Method to Authorize the Software License

These steps show how to change the Product Key for Windows back to the Original
Product Key. (Change the License Type from MAK (Multiple Activation Key) to KMS
(Key Management Service).

1. Go to Windows 8.1 UI. (Press the Windows key on the keyboard if necessary.)

Start page on Windows 8.1

2. Type cmd on the keyboard. This will bring up the Windows 8.1 Search. Click Apps
under the search list.

cmd search page showing Apps result highlighted

3. Right-click on the Command Prompt app.

Command Prompt result

4. Click the Run as administrator button. (Located at the bottom of the screen.)

Run as administrator button

5. If the Windows User Account Control (UAC) prompt is displayed, click Yes.

User Account Control window.

6. Type the following command into the Command Prompt, then press Enter:

cd \windows\system32

Command Prompt showing cd \windows\system32

7. Type the following into the Command Prompt: ** NOTE: Type in the command
exactly as shown, including spaces. KMS Client Key provided by Technet.

cscript \windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /ipk MHF9N-XY6XB-WVXMC-BTDCT-MKKG7

8. Press the Enter Key on the keyboard.

Windows Command Prompt showing cscript command

9. Activate the Windows Software License. You will know that the Activation
Process was Successful if you see the following message:

Installed product key MHF9N-XY6XB-WVXMC-BTDCT-MKKG7 successfully.

Troubleshoot Error Messages

Diagnose your Issue by the Error Message or Error Code that you receive.

Article ID: 17281

Last Updated: 2/2/2018 10:09:58 AM