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organizations can deploy merely two KMS hosts for their whole infrastructure (one main KMS host and
one backup host for redundancy).
KMS activation renewal
KMS activations are valid for 180 days. This is called the activation validity interval. To remain
activated, KMS clients must renew their activation by connecting to the KMS host at least one time
every 180 days. By default, KMS client computers attempt to renew their activation every seven days.
After a client’s activation is renewed, the activation validity interval begins again.
Use KMS for computers that run Windows and Office 2013 Preview
client products
When you use KMS to activate computers that run both Windows and Office 2013 Preview, you have
the following options for Office 2013 Preview:
Use the same KMS host on a computer that runs Windows Server 2003 (Standard, Enterprise, and
Datacenter editions [32-bit and 64-bit] only), Volume License editions of Windows 7 or Windows
Server 2008 R2. We recommend this option.
Use separate KMS hosts for computers that run Windows and Office 2013 Preview.
Important:
If you already have a KMS host that is set up to activate Windows products, you still have to
install the Office 2013 Preview KMS host license files, enter the Office 2013 Preview KMS host
key, and activate the key. To do this, go to the Microsoft Office 2013 KMS Host License Pack
website, and then download and run KeyManagementServiceHost.exe.
The following operating systems are supported as an Office 2013 Preview KMS host:
Volume License editions of Windows 7
Volume License editions of Windows 8
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2008 R2
If you already use a computer that runs as your Windows KMS host and you want to co-host the Office
2013 Preview KMS host, follow the steps in Prepare and configure the KMS host in Deploy volume
activation of Office 2010.
Multiple Activation Key (MAK)
A MAK key is used for one-time activation with the Microsoft hosted activation services. Each MAK key
has a predetermined number of allowed activations. This number is based on Volume Licensing
agreements and may not match the organization’s exact license count. Each activation that uses a
MAK key with the Microsoft hosted activation service counts toward the activation limit. After Office
2013 Preview is activated, no re-activation is required unless the hardware changes significantly.
There are two ways to activate computers by using a MAK key: