Automatic Virtual Machine Activation

The Automatic Virtual Machine Activation License Keys are applicable for: Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel, Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2012 R2.

• Please Note: Windows Server Datacenter edition with the Hyper-V host role installation Required for Automatic Virtual Machine Activation!

Automatic Virtual Machine Activation (AVMA) acts as a proof-of-purchase mechanism, helping to ensure that Windows products are used in accordance with the Product Use Rights and Microsoft Software License Terms.

AVMA lets you install virtual machines on a properly activated Windows server without having to manage product keys for each individual virtual machine, even in disconnected environments. AVMA binds the virtual machine activation to the licensed virtualization server and activates the virtual machine when it starts up. AVMA also provides real-time reporting on usage and historical data on the license state of the virtual machine. Reporting and tracking data is available on the virtualization server. 

Practical applications

On virtualization servers that are activated using Volume Licensing or OEM licensing, AVMA offers several benefits.

Server datacenter managers can use AVMA to do the following:

• • Activate virtual machines in remote locations

  • Activate virtual machines with or without an internet connection

  • Track virtual machine usage and licenses from the virtualization server, without requiring any access rights on the virtualized systems

There are no product keys to manage and no stickers on the servers to read. The virtual machine is activated and continues to work even when it is migrated across an array of virtualization servers.

Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) partners and other hosting providers do not have to share product keys with tenants or access a tenant's virtual machine to activate it. Virtual machine activation is transparent to the tenant when AVMA is used. Hosting providers can use the server logs to verify license compliance and to track client usage history.

System requirements

The virtualization host that will run virtual machines needs to be activated. Keys can be obtained through the Volume Licensing Service Center or your Microsoft Partner like us or your OEM provider.

AVMA requires Windows Server Datacenter edition with the Hyper-V host role installed. The operating system version of the Hyper-V host determines which versions of operating system can be activated in a virtual machine. Here are the guests that the different version hosts can activate.

How to implement AVMA

• 1. On a Windows Server Datacenter virtualization server, install and configure the Microsoft Hyper-V Server role. For more information, see Install Hyper-V Server.

  2. Create a virtual machine and install a supported server operating system on it.

  3. Install the AVMA key in the virtual machine. From an elevated command prompt, run the following command:

  4. slmgr /ipk <AVMA_key>  

The virtual machine will automatically activate the license against the virtualization server.