With Windows 8 and Server 2012 Active Directory-Based Activation was released.

Many has been using the old “KMS” because it is needed for Windows 7/ Server 2008 and earlier.

Now when deploying Windows 10 in the Enterprise environment it is a good time to look at Active Directory-Based Activation.

Prereq: You need to have the AD scheme level at Server 2012 (Run ADPREP) – but the forest and domain level does not need to be at 2012.

For Windows 10 KMS activation you need this path (remember to download the patch for the correct OS version) : https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3058168

Apply the patch – ex. on Server 2012 R2

Download and activate the patch

Click Yes

Patch is installing

Restart server for apply the pacth

How to do Active Directory-Based Activation for Windows 10.

Start by adding the Role

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Select “Volume Activation Service”

Click “Add Features”

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Click Install

Click Close after the install is finish

Start the “Volume Activation Tools”

Click Next

Select “Active Directory Based Activation”

Click Next

Enter the KMS Key and a optional name

Click Commit

Click Yes

Click Close (Click next and you are deleting the KMS key you just has entered)

Click Yes – and now you are ready to activate you Windows 10 Domain joined workstations.

Run slmgr -dlv to see the status of KMS