If you plan to deploy Windows 7 and/or Office 2010 by using Key Management Service (KMS) as the activation method, please note: The Office 2013 KMS host is supported on Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7 VL edition, Windows 8.1 VL edition, Windows Server 2012 R2, and Windows Server 2012 R2 for Embedded Systems. The KMS and MAK activation processes for Office 2013 are basically the same as they were for Office 2010, except that the Office 2013 KMS host is not supported on Windows Server 2003. Most likely, Office 2013 will use the same method. To help determine which activation method to use for Windows, see the Windows Volume Activation Planning Guide. If you are planning a Windows deployment of Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, or Windows Server 2012 R2 for Embedded Systems, you probably have the same considerations for Windows as for Office 2013. For more information, see Active Directory-Based Activation Overview. There is a third model for completing volume activation called Active Directory-Based activation. The type of key entered in the product determines the activation method. Customers can use either or both activation methods in their environment. MAK activates systems on a one-time basis, using Microsoft's hosted activation services. KMS allows organizations to activate systems within their own network.

Volume Activation provides two different models for completing volume activations: Key Management Service (KMS) and Multiple Activation Key (MAK). Volume Activation applies to systems that are covered under a Volume Licensing program and is used strictly as a tool for activation it is in no way tied to license invoicing or billing. It enables Volume Licensing customers to automate the activation process in a way that is transparent to end users. Volume Activation is a product activation technology used to activate Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, Office 2010, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012 R2 for Embedded Systems, and Office 2013.

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