The following articles provide technical information and best practices for Microsoft's volume activation technologies. This section addresses common issues and provides troubleshooting guidelines for KMS and several other volume activation technologies.
The Windows Server 2016 Activation Guide focuses on the Key Management Service (KMS) activation technology. For more information, see the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center. Microsoft offers customized volume licensing programs that accommodate the organization's size and purchasing preference. Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. To become a volume licensing customer, an organization must set up a volume licensing agreement with Microsoft. Volume activation is the process of activating volume-licensed products. Activation also establishes a link or relationship between the product key and the installation. Activation confirms that the product is genuine (not a fraudulent copy) and that the product key or serial number is valid and has not been compromised or revoked. Product activation is the process of validating software after it's installed on a specific computer.
