KB3058168: Update that enables Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 KMS hosts to activate Windows 10

Posted on June 18, 2015 by workinghardinit

Unless you’re living under a rock you will know that Windows 10 will be available on July 29th 2015. Microsoft has prepared for this by already making an Update that enables Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 KMS hosts to activate a “later version of Windows”. This must mean Windows 10. I do not know if this means that even the versions after Windows 10 will be activated by a KMS server running this update but it might.

Select the version you need for the KMS server or servers you use and install them.

Launch the update by launching Windows8.1-KB3058168-x64.msu

Click “Yes” to install the update

Install the update

Restart the KMS Server

So there you go, you’re ready to to start deploying Windows 10 Enterprise edition which can then be activated by your KMS server when the new client OS is generally available. Good luck.

Closing note: Don’t even bother posting comments where you ask for KMS Server keys or MAK keys for Windows 10. As I’ve stated before, while it might be more fun to join the pirates we’re the navy and as such we don’t condone piracy Winking smile . Got it? GOOD!

44 thoughts on “KB3058168: Update that enables Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 KMS hosts to activate Windows 10”

Bruno Silva on June 18, 2015 at 1:36 pm said:

hi ,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

I have Windows Server 2k8R2 as KMS server, and use for Win 8.1 and 2012R2 .

You know if Microsoft will release this update to previous version?

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- workinghardinit on June 18, 2015 at 3:42 pm said:
  
  They might but for now I have not seen or heard anything of it. Not sure they will.
  
  Reply ↓
- Tom on September 16, 2015 at 1:29 pm said:
  
  Released today – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3079821
  
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  - workinghardinit on September 16, 2015 at 1:46 pm said:
    
    Thanks for sharing!
    
    Reply ↓
    - Tom on September 16, 2015 at 2:27 pm said:
      
      You’re welcome!
      
      Reply ↓
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Bernd on July 20, 2015 at 2:03 pm said:

Should that already work with build 10240? I updated our KMS host and tried with Windows 10 Enterprise 10240 with the KMS key -2YT43 but no luck. I cannot find a special KMS key for Windows 10 in our MS Volume License Portal.

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- workinghardinit on July 20, 2015 at 5:17 pm said:
  
  No, the update is to be able to install the KMS Server license key. That as you have seen, still has to be published. They’re getting ready, that’s for sure.
  
  Reply ↓
Francisco on July 21, 2015 at 12:47 am said:

Thanks for the post.

We use our KMS for both Server 2012R2 and Windows8.1 using only our 2012 server key. If we insert a new Win10 KMS key, will it still activate 2012R2? Does it co-exist with a server key?

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- workinghardinit on July 21, 2015 at 9:59 am said:
  
  Yes, if you use the correct key. It has Always worked like that see https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/Ff793434.aspx
  “The KMS key that supports the new versions of the Windows operating systems also provides support for the previous Volume Licensing editions of Windows that are acting as KMS clients.”
  
  Reply ↓
  - Francisco on July 24, 2015 at 5:55 am said:
    
    I was under the impression that only server keys work for servers (and anything below), following a hierarchy. Since the new version of Windows server wont be out anytime soon, I was wondering how it would work.
    
    Anyway, just yesterday, we saw (in VLSC) that we were already given Windows 10 KMS keys. One was called “Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10”. We installed it and were successful in activating both Win10 and 2012R2.
    
    Reply ↓
    - Hal Nadler on August 1, 2015 at 6:29 pm said:
      
      Where did you find the key “Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10”? Our Windows 10 downloads were made available today. I see Windows 10 Enterprise keys and Server 2012R2 Datacenter keys available, but not the one you specified that would “upgrade” our KMS server to do both.
      
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    - ErDo on August 1, 2015 at 7:12 pm said:
      
      Francisco, where on the VLSC site did you find the Server 2012 KMS host key that will also activate Windows 10?
      
      So far I have only been able to find the Windows 10 ‘client’ KMS host key and I can’t enter that one into our Server 2012 R2 KMS host.
      
      Reply ↓
    - Konstantinos on August 2, 2015 at 6:22 am said:
      
      Where did you find the key? I see only Windows 10 KMS keys?
      
      Reply ↓
      - Ercole77 on August 3, 2015 at 1:03 pm said:
        
        http://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/3fh9gv/steps_for_windows_10_kms_activation_against_2012r2/
    - Francisco on August 3, 2015 at 7:24 am said:
      
      I saw the key under the Product Keys tab of the Enrollment Details of your current license agreement.
      
      In VLSC, click Licences > Relationship Summary > Licensing ID of your current license agreement > Product Keys
      
      Hope this helps!
      
      Reply ↓
      - Jason on August 5, 2015 at 6:47 am said:
        
        Thanks Francisco!
Bernd on July 21, 2015 at 10:04 am said:

Thanks for the Information. So we are waiting for the KMS server key in the Volume License Portal. How long does Windows 10 work without activation?

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- workinghardinit on July 21, 2015 at 10:09 am said:
  
  I’m not privy to that information. But my take is that when you’re running 10240 now you’ll be fine beyond RTM and MSFT can alwyas push a update that fixes any potential issue in that regard.
  
  Reply ↓
spidermitch on July 29, 2015 at 3:25 pm said:

This is really helpful. I was trying to get KMS to activate W10 after installing KB3058168 & it was making a proper connection, but saying it couldn’t find an activation server, even though the KMS server showed it made a connection in event viewer. Then after reading this, it dawned on me that we haven’t actually updated our MAK. Still waiting on our software guy to get the info from the Volume License Portal, but I think we’re good after I plug it in. Question though: does the newest KMS server key allow for activations of Server 2016 & Office 2016, or will MS release those after the software’s release?

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- workinghardinit on July 29, 2015 at 3:52 pm said:
  
  To the best of my knowledge they’ll release a new KMS Service key when Windows 2016 goes RTM
  
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- FL424 on August 28, 2015 at 10:25 pm said:
  
  How did this shake out… did the MAK for your host make any difference? If your NOS on the host is Server 2012R2 then your problem sounds very similar to my situation. I can increase the failed count on the KMS host, but can’t activate, I have KB3058168, and the KMS host key for 2012R2 installed but can’t go any further. wth? :^o~~~~~~~~~~~~
  
  Reply ↓
Bernd on July 30, 2015 at 1:05 pm said:

From the TechNet Windows 10 Enterprise FAQ for IT Pros:

Can I use the Windows 10 Enterprise Insider Preview as a member of the Windows Insider Program after July 29, 2015?

The Windows 10 Enterprise Insider Preview expires October 1, 2015. If you are running the Preview, we will send you notifications beginning on September 15, 2015 to remind you that it is time to upgrade your PC to a newer version. After October 1, a clean installation of Windows 10, the Windows 10 Enterprise 90-day Evaluation, or your former operating system will be required; and you will need to reinstall all of your programs and data.

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ED on August 1, 2015 at 11:36 pm said:

Dont know if anyone has had the issue: Existing 2012 R2 KMS server with WOLUME_KMS_WS12_R2 Channel as the installed key. Workinf fine. Deployed patch KB3058168 and rebooted. Trying to get our Win 10 Enterprise KMS key installed with slmgr /ipk and get:
“Error: 0xC004F015 On a Computer Running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run Slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F015 to display the error text.

From research it would seem that KB3058168 didnt take or for some reason it’s not validating our Windows 10 KMS key?

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- ED on August 3, 2015 at 3:30 am said:
  
  Update: Im not sure which one worked but i think i got it working. My Windows 10 KMS key still won’t load with the above error, but i reapplied my Server 2012 R2 key and when i do a slmgr /dlv all the key reads VOLUME_KMS_WS212_R2_WIN10 (or roughly that, I’m not near the console) so I’m guessing i’ve updated the key to do Win 10. its status is unlicensed , but i think thats because the 25 activation limit has been reset and hasn’t hit yet.
  
  Reply ↓
redfoxert on August 2, 2015 at 9:47 am said:

For some reason I can’t install my Windows 10 KMS keys into the KMS server (2012 R2). KMS key just wont install.

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Paul on August 3, 2015 at 6:34 am said:

I am having same problem, when I attempt to install my win 10 education key I get
Error: 0xC004F015 On a Computer Running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run Slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F015 to display the error text.
I am assuming that I need to wait for this “Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10″. that Francisco mentioned earlier as I clearly cannot see it in vlsc login only win 10 kms and mac key for the various editions

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- Paul on August 3, 2015 at 6:55 am said:
  
  Hi everyone I found where the kms key lies it is not in the usual spot of downloads and keys but
  Well there is actually another place for keys, and that’s where you find a special key for 2012R2 and Win10 KMS. Here are the steps for finding it:
  •In VLSC – click License, then Relationship Summary.
  •Now click the License ID of your current Active license.
  •Once the page changes, click Product Keys.
  •Scroll down the list and look for “Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10”. Use this key
  
  Reply ↓
  - redfoxert on August 3, 2015 at 7:14 am said:
    
    You sir, win the internet today. This works! 🙂
    
    Reply ↓
  - Konstantinos on August 3, 2015 at 7:45 am said:
    
    Got it, thank you, that was a bit tricky.
    
    Reply ↓
  - Heinz on August 3, 2015 at 12:58 pm said:
    
    Thanks! Had a hard time finding it so this thread and most of all your comment was very helpfull.
    Does the KMS server need 25 klients for each “Windows version” to become active? I was under the impressions that it was the total number of clients? I´m wondering because my Win client says that “The count reported by your Key Management Service (MS) is insufficient”. And there are several thousands computers using it (Win 7 & 8.1).
    
    Reply ↓
    - Jason on August 6, 2015 at 5:21 am said:
      
      It’ll need 25 clients connecting to it after the upgrade/patch.
      As we run VDI it was easy to bump this along, I just temporarily spun up 25 Win7 virtual desktops. After they all requested activation I could then activate my Win10 test machines.
      
      Reply ↓
  - Maxim on August 3, 2015 at 1:44 pm said:
    
    This worked for me, thanks pal!
    
    Reply ↓
  - Jodi on August 3, 2015 at 1:56 pm said:
    
    Thanks Paul – This worked for me.
    
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  - Tim on September 10, 2015 at 9:32 pm said:
    
    Thank you Paul. Silly me I was using the one under Product Keys.
    
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Ahmed Nabil on August 3, 2015 at 9:47 am said:

Thanks Didier for the article and Paul for the hidden key.

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Cyril on August 5, 2015 at 11:20 pm said:

Thank you for the help, it was driving me crazy. I upgraded from 2012 to 2012R2 as KB Article Number(s): 3058168 hotfix for 2012 never worked. After an hour the server rolled back the update, nice. 2012r2 on the other hand worked well. Only thing is that upgrading removed my licences for Office 2013 and 2010. Odd…

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- Jason on August 6, 2015 at 5:22 am said:
  
  Strange that it lost the Office licenses… Did they come back or did you have to reactivate them?
  
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Karsten on August 6, 2015 at 12:11 pm said:

I have the same problem like Cyril. Install 3058168 hotfix for 2012 – two hours install, then two hous rollback. Eventid 20 Install fails with error 0x800F0920

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Gian Paul on August 21, 2015 at 10:11 am said:

The same problem. windows server 2012, error: Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x800F0920: Update for Windows (KB3058168).

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Ariel S. on March 31, 2016 at 12:48 pm said:

Just one thing to say: THANKS!

Reply ↓
- workinghardinit on March 31, 2016 at 1:36 pm said:
  
  You’re most welcome!
  
  Reply ↓

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KB3058168: Update that enables Windows 8.1 and Windows 8 KMS hosts to activate Windows 10

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