Datasheet

Planning and Managing Client Licensing and Activation 43
FIGURE 1.10 Entering the product key
Some product keys are designed for a single product, and some product keys are
designed for multiple products. A Multiple Activation Key (MAK) uses a single key pur-
chased for many clients. In larger organizations, MAKs or Key Management Service (KMS)
servers could be used for activation, or a combination of the two can be used. MAK and
KMS require a more complex license infrastructure and will be explored in greater depth
later in this chapter.
Activation will ultimately be paired with the product key and your computer. The acti-
vation process collects information on the computer to uniquely identify it, but it does not
collect any information on the user.
When installing Windows, you’ll receive the prompt Automatically Activate Windows
When I’m Online. If this box is checked, activation will be attempted three days after the
user logs on the first time. If it is not checked, the user will be prompted to activate before
the grace period expires.
Windows 7 Activation Grace Period
Windows 7 has a grace period of 30 days before it needs to be activated. During this time,
users will see a pop-up reminding them they need to activate. This starts as a once-a-day
pop-up four days after the installation and increases to as often as once an hour on day 30.
On day 31, a message will appear indicating that you must activate Windows to con-
tinue using all Windows features. A logical question is, “What features can’t be used?” In
past versions of Windows, Microsoft introduced a reduced-functionality mode where users
can browse the Internet for one hour before having to log off and back on again.
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