Microsoft Porducts Activation Keys
MAK VS KMS
MAK (Multiple Activation Key) and KMS (Key Management Service) are both methods of activating and licensing Microsoft products, such as Windows and Office. Here’s a brief difference between the two:
MAK (Multiple Activation Key):
Per-Device Activation: A MAK key is a one-time activation key that is used to activate a specific number of devices. Each device uses a unique key for activation.
Independent Activation: Each device with a MAK key connects directly to Microsoft’s activation servers to validate the key and activate the product.
Limited Activations: The number of activations is predetermined and limited by the number of licenses purchased. Once all activations are used, no more devices can be activated using that key.
KMS (Key Management Service):
Volume Activation: KMS is designed for large organizations with many devices. It requires a minimum threshold of devices (usually 25 or more) to be activated on a local KMS server.
Centralized Activation: Devices in the organization connect to the local KMS server for activation. The KMS server then communicates with Microsoft’s activation servers to validate the organization’s activation requests.
Dynamic Activation: KMS activations are not tied to individual keys. Instead, devices check in with the KMS server at regular intervals to maintain their activation status.
Simplified Management: KMS allows organizations to manage activations centrally, making it easier to deploy and manage software licenses across a large number of devices.
In summary, MAK keys are suited for smaller-scale activation needs and provide a fixed number of activations tied to individual keys, while KMS is designed for larger organizations and offers a more dynamic and centralized activation process for a higher volume of devices.
