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How to Activate Volume Licenses with VAMT on Offline Computers
Question details
The user needs to activate Microsoft Office volume licenses using the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) for client computers that do not have internet access.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deploying and activating Office volume licenses in an organization where client devices are restricted from accessing the internet due to security policies.
- Observed behavior
- Client computers cannot connect to the internet to complete direct online activation, requiring an alternative centralized proxy or offline activation method.
Ensure you have the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) installed on a host computer with internet access, and verify that you have your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) available from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center.
Perform a VAMT Proxy Activation
Use an internet-connected VAMT host to acquire Confirmation IDs from Microsoft on behalf of your offline client computers.
Proxy activation is designed specifically for environments where computers are isolated from the internet. The internet-connected VAMT host acts as an intermediary, collecting installation IDs from offline clients, sending them to Microsoft, and then distributing the resulting confirmation IDs back to the clients.
Open VAMT on your internet-connected host. Use the 'Discover products' feature to scan your local network and add the offline client computers to your VAMT database.
Right-click the selected offline computers in the product list, select 'Install product key', and apply your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) to these devices.
Select the client computers, right-click, and choose 'Update license status' to retrieve their Installation IDs (IIDs) into the VAMT database.
Select the computers again, click 'Activate', and choose 'Proxy activate'. VAMT will automatically contact Microsoft's servers to exchange the IIDs for Confirmation IDs (CIDs) and apply them to the offline clients.
Use Microsoft MAK Telephone Activation
If VAMT proxy activation is not feasible, you can manually activate the volume license on each offline computer via telephone.
Contact Microsoft Support or your IT Admin
Escalate the activation issue to Microsoft 365 administrators or volume licensing specialists if proxy and telephone activations fail.
Looking for a Hassle-Free Office Solution? Try WPS Office
Avoid the complexities of volume licensing, VAMT setups, and proxy activations. WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative that requires no enterprise activation overhead while ensuring seamless compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions. No volume license keys or VAMT configurations are needed.
- 3. Start Creating: Open WPS Office and immediately start viewing, editing, or creating your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is VAMT proxy activation?
Proxy activation is a feature in the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) that allows an internet-connected host computer to perform volume license activations on behalf of client computers that do not have direct internet access.
Can I use KMS instead of MAK for offline computers?
Key Management Service (KMS) requires client computers to connect to the KMS host on your local network at least once every 180 days. If the clients are completely isolated from all networks, KMS will not work, and MAK proxy or telephone activation is required.
Where can I find my Multiple Activation Key (MAK)?
Your MAK keys and their remaining activation counts are located in the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) portal or the Microsoft 365 Admin Center under the Billing > Your products section, depending on your organization's purchase agreement.
Why is VAMT unable to connect to my offline clients?
VAMT requires Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to communicate with client computers. Ensure that the WMI firewall exception is enabled on the client devices and that you have the necessary administrative privileges on those machines.
