Volume Activation Management Tool Usage Guides and White Papers

Together with the release of Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 (VAMT 2.0), Microsoft also provides several user guides for administrators to get familiar with Volume Activation Management Tool, to understand the concept behind volume licensing and activation that is required, and how the VAMT can be used to manage product keys and help corporates to manage activation.

Here’s a list of documents that are available.

Manage Activation Using VAMT 2.0_White Paper: Manage Activation Using VAMT 2.0 white paper.docx

VAMT can be an important tool to help you centrally manage and automate a range of activities related to Windows activation. Core benefits of VAMT include: • The ability to protect product keys by retaining them only in the VAMT console, vs. including a key in an image or distributing it in plain text • Perform activations without each system having to connect and activate with Microsoft activation services • Inventory and monitor systems in the environment from an activation and licensing standpoint VAMT enables you to remotely activate managed systems. You can perform MAK, KMS host, KMS client, and retail activations. VAMT uses WMI to remotely manage activations and other related tasks on managed systems. VAMT also can assist with license compliance, letting you monitor license state for the systems under management

Product Activation Using VAMT 2.0: Product Activation Using VAMT 2.0.docx

This document explains how to perform the following activation-related tasks using VAMT 2.0: 1. Discover computers and installed products 2. Remotely install a product key on those products 3. Remotely complete typical product activations that you might use in your environment—online, proxy, and Key Management Service (KMS) client activation 4. Save the Computer Information List, and perform local reactivations using that list These tasks can be performed for Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Office 2010 client suites and applications, Visio 2010 and Project 2010 clients.

Activation in Disconnected Environments Using VAMT 2.0: Activation in Disconnected Environments Using VAMT 2.0.docx

Administrators have several alternatives for product activation in disconnected environments, such as branch offices and high-security zones within a production environment. In this document, we cover one of these options in depth. This method uses Multiple Activation Keys (MAKs) and the VAMT 2.0. VAMT enables administrators to centrally manage and automate product activation for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008R2, and Office 2010 client suites and applications, Visio 2010 and Project 2010 clients.

Reporting Activation Information Using VAMT 2.0: Reporting Activation Information Using VAMT 2.0.docx

VAMT 2.0 can be used to track and report activation data for Windows operating systems activated using Key Management Service (KMS), Multiple Activation Keys (MAK), and retail keys. VAMT 2.0 supports Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2008, Office 2010 client suites and applications, Visio 2010 and Project 2010 clients. VAMT can provide information on license status, and whether installed software is genuine. This information also can help you with license compliance. VAMT can be used in addition to any tool you already may be using for the purpose of software asset management or license management.

Manage Product Keys Using VAMT 2.0: Manage Product Keys Using VAMT 2.0.docx

VAMT helps adminsitrators to manage keys acquired through a Microsoft volume license agreement, subscription programs such as MSDN, TechNet or Microsoft Partner Network, or the retail channel. VAMT 2.0 enables management of the following product key types, for Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Office 2010 client suites and applications, Visio 2010 and Project 2010: • Key Management Service (KMS) host keys (CSVLK) • KMS client setup keys • Multiple Activation Key keys (MAK) • Retail keys