Volume Activation 2.0 Operations Guide

Volume Activation 2.0 Operations Guide

In Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, RFM is removed from the product and replaced with a notifications-based experience.

You can return a client to its initial activation state for the current license by using the Slmgr.vbs script with the /rearm option. This option resets the computer’s activation timer and reinitializes some activation parameters, including a KMS client’s client computer ID (CMID).

The number of times you can reset the activation timers is limited and depends on how many times sysprep /generalize is run to create the distribution media. The maximum number of possible resets for Windows Vista Business and Windows Server 2008 is three. You can reset Windows Vista SP1 Enterprise edition five times.

Recovering from a Non-Genuine State

If a KMS or MAK key is lost or misused, the product key can be marked Non- Genuine and invalid for activation. In this case, the product key checked during validation is considered invalid and the system fails validation. A watermark is added to the desktop and periodic notifications appear to remind the user to validate the license status of the system. In addition, the computer can be placed in a 30-day Non-Genuine state grace period. This allows for the time needed to obtain a new product key.

When evidence of system tampering is detected, the system goes into a Non- Genuine or tampered state depending on the tamper. If the computer has tampered files, the best way to recover is to reinstall the operating system and then reactivate. If a KMS host or KMS client is marked Non-Genuine due to a compromised product key, you should replace the KMS key on all KMS hosts configured with that key. You can then force an immediate reactivation of the KMS clients, using Slmgr.vbs /ato, or allow the clients to reactivate according to the activation renewal schedule. If the original key is compromised on a MAK-activated computer, you need to install a new MAK.

Before you can recover from a validation failure, you need to first determine why the computer failed validation, then you can take appropriate recovery steps. You

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