manually assign KMS host to client running Windows Vista or 7

Tags: KMS, windows 7, Windows Vista
Updated: October 14, 2009
Contributors: Tyler Lawrence

Windows Vista and 7 under MCCA at UCLA are validated through a KMS (key management service) server on campus. If for some reason Windows Vista or 7 doesn’t automatically validate through the KMS you can manually assign the KMS host to your client.

Go to the command prompt (you may have to go to Programs/Accessories/Command Prompt, right-click and select Run as Administrator).

Enter:

cscript \windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /skms 128.97.141.165

There are two KMS servers and either one can be used.

a. kms1.softwarecentral.ucla.edu 128.97.141.165
b. kms2.softwarecentral.ucla.edu 128.97.141.90

After a short pause you will be notified of the success of the connection within the command prompt.

For more information read the Windows Volume Activation 2.0 Deployment Guide here.