Windows Server: How to Activate Virtual Machines Using Automatic Virtual Machine Activation

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=server2025. 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:

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.