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PowerEdge: How to Activate Virtual Machines Using Automatic Virtual Machine Activation

Summary: This article explains how to activate virtual machines (VMs) hosted in Hyper-V on a Datacenter edition of Windows Server using Automatic Virtual Machine Activation (AVMA).

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

AVMA is a technology that simplifies activation of VMs on a virtualization host running a Datacenter edition of Windows Server. Using AVMA, VMs running a supported operating system (OS) are activated against the host's license. No Internet connection is required for VMs to activate, and usage data for VMs is stored on the virtualization host.

 

Contents

What is AVMA?
Requirements for AVMA
AVMA Keys
How to Implement AVMA

 

What is AVMA?

AVMA is a feature, introduced in Windows Server 2012 R2, that simplifies activation of Windows Server VMs on a Hyper-V host. The host OS is activated using a regular Windows Server product key, while the VMs use specific AVMA keys for activation. These AVMA keys are published by Microsoft, as shown below. AVMA is available in volume-license and OEM licensing scenarios. An AVMA key may be installed on a VM during unattended installation of Windows Server or after the OS is installed.

 

Requirements for AVMA

  • The Hyper-V host must be running the Datacenter edition of Windows Server. AVMA cannot be used with virtualization hosts running a non-Datacenter edition of Windows Server or a non-Windows OS such as VMware ESXi.
  • The host OS must be activated.
  • The VMs must be running the same version of Windows Server as the host or an earlier version, as far back as Windows Server 2012 R2.
  • The VMs must have an AVMA client key installed. These keys are published by Microsoft (see below).
  • VMs using AVMA must have the Data Exchange integration service enabled, as shown below.

 

AVMA Keys

AVMA keys for VMs are published by Microsoft at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/automatic-vm-activation?tabs=server2025This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.. The Windows Server version and edition of the key must match the OS of the VM being activated.

 

How to Implement AVMA

Each VM using AVMA must have the Data Exchange option enabled within Integration Services. This allows the VM to send activation-related data to the host. To ensure this is enabled, open the settings of the VM within Hyper-V Manager and confirm that the checkbox is selected:

Image of hyper-v virtual machine settings

After confirming that setting, install the appropriate AVMA key in the VM. This can be done during installation of the VM's OS or afterward. If the OS has already been installed, run these commands from an elevated command prompt to install the key:

slmgr /upk

slmgr /ipk <AVMA_key>

The VM's OS automatically activates.

Affected Products

Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2022, Microsoft Windows Server 2025

Products

PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R250, PowerEdge R260, PowerEdge R340, PowerEdge R350, PowerEdge R360, PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R450, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R550, PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R650, PowerEdge R650xs, PowerEdge R6515 , PowerEdge R6525, PowerEdge R660, PowerEdge R660xs, PowerEdge R6615, PowerEdge R6625, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R750, PowerEdge R750XA, PowerEdge R750xs, PowerEdge R7515, PowerEdge R7525, PowerEdge R760, PowerEdge R760XA, PowerEdge R760xd2, PowerEdge R760xs, PowerEdge R7615, PowerEdge R7625, PowerEdge R840, PowerEdge R860, PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge R960, PowerEdge T140, PowerEdge T150, PowerEdge T160, PowerEdge T340, PowerEdge T350, PowerEdge T360, PowerEdge T440, PowerEdge T550, PowerEdge T560, PowerEdge T640 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000140349
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 04 Dec 2024
Version:  6
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