KMS keys now only available upon request from Microsoft
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So, I wanted to start deploying Office 2016 with a few new installs using KMS keys. I hopped out to the VLSC site found the download for the Open License media then went looking for the KMS key. Huh, not there. Weird.
I notice at the bottom of the page that there is an email for questions link. So I beam off an email included my license agreement number and company name asking to get a KMS key for Office 2016. Two days later I receive an email with my KMS key and a note telling me that it's been added to my account.
When I went to install the KMS key I found out that I had to use the KMS software from a new ISO you have to download from the VLSC site to work with the new key. Extra steps, but not that hard.Then today, OK I'm ready to start making images for Win10 for use with KMS. Hit the VLSC site up and, huh, just like Office, no KMS key. I find my original email and email MS again asking for a KMS key for Win 10 Pro.
Instead of just getting an email this time telling me my KMS key I got a phone call. Needless to say when my phone read Microsoft on the CID I was skeptical. But once they said there were calling about my license key I figured it was a legitimate call. After some confusion if I wanted a Win 7 Pro KMS key versus a Win 10 Pro key, the process was pretty painless.
I asked her if sending an email requesting a KMS key was the new norm going forward. She said yes it was. Microsoft wasn't going to be auto generating KMS keys in VLSC to cut down on piracy. Interesting, but OK. Other than slowing me down a day or two it wasn't that painful.
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If you're running your KMS server on anything less than Windows 10 or Server 2012 R2 you need to get a patch for KMS.
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt297923(v=vs.85).aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396
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Interesting, I bet not auto-generating KMS keys will stop no one from pirating their software, just makes your life slightly more difficult
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So far the KMS key isn't registering.
