Windows Server KMS Keys: The Official List for 2025, 2022, 2019 and 2016

Windows Server KMS keys are public. Microsoft prints them in its own documentation, one per edition, and anyone may copy them. I’d call them setup keys: they pick the edition and point the server at a company activation host. They don’t activate a server by themselves.

Every key below was generated from Microsoft’s page by script, not typed by hand, so the characters match the source.

Where the list comes from

The source is Microsoft Learn, KMS client activation and product keys. Microsoft calls them Generic Volume License Keys.

Volume editions of Windows Server install with such a key already inside. Microsoft’s page says you only need to type one in three cases: converting a server from a KMS host, from a MAK or from a retail edition to a KMS client.

A fourth use is the one most visitors come for. An evaluation copy can be turned into a full edition with one of these keys and a single command. More on that below.

Windows Server 2025

Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2019

Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2012 R2 and 2012

That’s 24 keys for six server versions. Microsoft’s page also lists the older 2008 line and the retired Semi-Annual Channel releases.

What Windows Server KMS keys do

With a KMS client key installed, the server stops asking Microsoft and starts asking the local network. It looks for a KMS host through DNS and requests activation there.

The mechanics, with all the numbers, are in what KMS activation is.

How to install a key and convert an evaluation copy

Two jobs, both from an administrator Command Prompt.

1. Check which edition is installed with the edition line.
2. On an evaluation copy, list the editions it can become with the target line.
3. Run the set-edition line with the KMS client key of the edition you’re licensed for, and accept the restart.
4. After the restart, check the edition again; “Eval” is gone from the name.
5. On a full edition, install a key with the install line.
6. Enter the key that activates: your own, or leave the KMS client key if the organisation runs a host.
7. Activate and check the result.

DISM /Online /Get-CurrentEdition
DISM /Online /Get-TargetEditions
DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
slmgr /ato
slmgr /xpr

The conversion is covered step by step in converting Windows Server 2022 Evaluation to Standard and in activating Windows Server via DISM.

Standard, Datacenter, Essentials

Each edition has its own key, and a key only fits its edition. A Standard key on a Datacenter install is turned down with 0xC004F069.

How Standard and Datacenter differ in virtual machine rights is in virtual machine limits in Windows Server 2022 Standard. Activation by edition is in the Windows Server 2022 activation guide.

Need the server activated

For a server that doesn’t sit behind a company KMS host, activation takes a key bought for it.

User and device access is licensed separately. See managing CAL licenses in Windows Server 2022 and our Windows Server CALs.

Other key lists

Mistakes we see most

• Expecting a KMS client key to activate a standalone server.
• Using a Standard key on a Datacenter install.
• Pointing the server at a public KMS host found online.
• Converting an evaluation copy to an edition you hold no license for.
• Typing keys by hand when they can be copied.

Terms used on this page