UneIT

What is Multiple Activation Key (MAK)?

Another important activation method in VA 2.0 is MAK Activation through using MAK license keys. MAK keys, which carry set allowance for activation counts, can activate the target products within its product group permanently.

Unlike KMS activated systems that would be requested to connect to activation server for at least once within 180 days, MAK activated systems can be used for as long as you wish until you do a reinstallation. MAK keys are just like retail ones, but they have way more permitted activation counts than retail keys.

Microsoft provides two types of license keys for use with products that implement VA 2.0. Every product could get a MAK key which has a set number of activation allowances for purchased volume products from VLSC.

Continue reading Volume Activation 2.0: MAK Activation

I’m not about lengthy talks on what good can Volume Activation 2.0 do to a corporation. More info about VA 2.0 is hosted here on official Microsoft website.

I’ll show you what actually is Windows KMS activation and how it actually works.

What is Key Management Service (KMS)?

KMS is a lightweight service that does not require a dedicated system and can easily be co-hosted on a system that provides other services. With KMS, you can complete activations on your local network, eliminating the need for individual computers to connect to Microsoft for product activation.

In short, KMS is a service, hosted on a Windows volume client or server, to provide unlimited activations for its client systems, client or server products.

KMS requires a minimum number of either physical or virtual computers in a network environment. You must have at least five (5) computers to activate computers running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 and at least twenty-five (25) computers to activate computers running Windows Vista or Windows 7. If you have deployed Microsoft Office 2010 products, including Project 2010 and Visio 2010 you must have at least five (5) computers running Office 2010, Project 2010 or Visio 2010.

So 25 computers for Vista/7, 5 computers for Server 2008/2008 R2/Office 2010 suites/apps. Since Windows Vista SP1, virtual machine activation counts against the activation threshold.

Continue reading Volume Activation 2.0: KMS Activation

Usual scene in enterprise computer infrastructure consists of lot of computers, and each of them has be be powered by a certain operating system. There are numerous clients and servers. To purchase individual OS license for each of them is a task impossible, considering keying in that many license keys for that many computers. What if to buy only one or a few license keys and each unlocking numerous computers? That’s where Volume Licensing came in.

With the introduction of Windows XP, Microsoft OS requires activation to thwart software piracy. Since then, you have to key in the product key to install an OS, and you have to turn to Internet or telephone to activate it against Microsoft servers, making enterprise users in more need for easier volume licensing.

That’s when Microsoft provided Volume Activation 1.0. Certain type of license keys are privileged to have the ability to bypass the required activation in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Mighty as they are, they are somehow too mighty as they can bypass unlimited copies of Windows, thus making it the sweet target for software piracy. People fond of free pirated software rushed to use “corporate” versions of Windows, which had mighty license keys integrated.

Aware of the series problem, Microsoft reinforced their anti-piracy mechanism by unleashing version 2.0 for volume activation. This time, there are no mighty license keys. All products have to be activated by one way or another. Two main categories are set, KMS and MAK.

KMS license keys are more capable as they themselves can build activation servers, just like the Microsoft official ones but with one limitation that it can only active its clients for 180 days, so clients have to connect with this activation server now and then to refresh their 180 days’ limit.

MAK license keys have set numbers of activations, say 50, 100, 500 or even more. You can use them to activate those many copies of Windows. When it reaches to its set limit, no more activation could be done. This eliminates the potential danger for leakage of VA license keys. Even though that happens, it won’t cause mass piracy.

Big differences exist between VA 1.0 and 2.0 as mentioned above, but a minor one gets usually ignored. Not like VA 1.0 in which if license keys are banned, all computers activated by that key will become unlicensed, in VA 2.0, computers activated by license keys before it’s banned are still good to use. Only re-activation becomes impossible.

Continue reading All about Volume Activation 2.0

I’ve managed to get all the KMS Client Keys for use with Microsoft Office 2010, suites and applications, which are not yet disclosed by Microsoft openly.

May you have good use:-)

Earlier today, Office 2010 is made available to certain subscribers of MSDN/TechNet.

Continue reading Microsoft Office 2010 on MSDN/TechNet

Just a quick note.

More info pending.

Guys,

I’m still in need of some genuine license keys for one software titled Internet Download Manager, version 5.18, although I had an exchange months ago.

Rules are simple as before.

——–

a/ Prove your IDM license is genuine.

b/ Promise I will be the only user of the license.

c/ The license must work with the latest version of IDM, 5.18 according to its official website.

d/ For each license you give me, I’d send you a full retail license for Microsoft Office 2010 Professional Plus, of course genuine and for you only.

——-

Thank you for helping me. You can turn to this post if you have doubts.

BTW, gift license already sent. Just check your mailboxes.

Stay inspired.

The final part of the 2010 Microsoft computing platform is finally finished, SQL Server 2008 R2 reached RTM today.

This whole platform refresh came under unprecedented huge pressure from everywhere for Microsoft. For any whole platform Microsoft had rolled out, consumer OS is definitely the pioneer within the market. Windows has so much influence that if it works well, the whole world welcomes the new Microsoft platform. If it fails, like Windows Vista did, all Microsoft products would bear shares of doubts.

To put it simple, Windows is the President of the Microsoft Platform.

The latest refreshment of platform comes steady. Windows 7, a powerful, self-assured, efficient, and trustworthy President, lead the way, and other products, like Server 2008 R2, Exchanger 2010, paved the way.

The good lasts. Until very recently, Visual Studio 2010 was released with Silverlight 4.0, and new updates to the MSDN subscriptions.

If you watched closely, you’d discover all major Microsoft services got revamps during this whole refreshing time. For instance, Microsoft Downloads, which had been inefficient, now becomes a very good download center with quick finds possible. TechNet and MSDN had respective overhaul changes in design and function. Microsoft integrated its products blogs, and they also changed MSN’s look recently.

Now the final part, the most pricy product from Microsoft, finished assembly. SQL Server 2008 R2 will surely continue the success.

More info on SQL Server 2008 R2 can be found here. Microsoft didn’t imply when to ship it to distribution channels, but usually, in a few weeks it’ll be shipped to MSDN/TechNet and enterprise channels. [Update: It’s confirmed SQL Server 2008 R2 will reach MSDN/TechNet on May 3rd]

Early expectation for the RTM of SQL Server 2008 R2 is in May. Now with clear indication of smooth progress, Microsoft wasted no time readying its momentum for 2010 platform.

Personally, Microsoft will do a great job this time.

This is just a small discovery I happened to come across today.

I assume everybody knows that U.S. government unveils new design for the $100 note. Well, if not, go here for a check.

This is how it looks.

Trying to see if there is more in the images, I dragged them into the Photoshop, version CS4 Extended, only to be told no way.

I didn’t know Photoshop can recognize the image that you opened in it. Really stunned.

Enjoy!

Yesterday, after the publication of the news about official RTM of Microsoft Office 2010, certain website, famous for its accurate Microsoft insider info, had rolled out torrent files for the Microsoft Office 2010, claimed to be the original Microsoft RTM images.

Well, although still planning to wait for Office 2010 through Microsoft’s official distribution channels, it’ll be good to grab this image to have a closer look at what’s goin’ on, considering the infamous habit of scarce public builds for Office development.

The one I downloaded is the universal compatible 32-bit edition.

WZT, the ultimate website leaking numerous insider news from Microsoft, sealed that RTM build of Microsoft Office 2010 is 14.0.4763.1000, although some components carry their own build number.

The installation is quite simple, which we had seen working well in Beta 2.

Continue reading Mini Review of Microsoft Office 2010