VDI deployments use Shared Computer Activation , not KMS. The only requirement is that the VDI host can reach the Microsoft activation servers (or use a proxy).
: When a user installs a volume-licensed version of Office, the software is pre-configured with a Generic Volume License Key (GVLK). It then searches the network (usually via DNS) for the KMS host. Activation
Setting up the KMS Host: A server is configured with a KMS Host Key provided by Microsoft through the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). microsoft office 365 kms
editions, such as Office LTSC 2021 or the enterprise-tier versions of Microsoft 365 that support volume activation methods. Common Troubleshooting
Here is the general process for setting up a KMS host for Microsoft Office 365/Volume Licensing: 1. Configure the KMS Host VDI deployments use Shared Computer Activation , not KMS
If you need centralized control over Office 365 activation, use these tools instead of KMS:
Instead of KMS, Microsoft 365 Apps use in one of two ways: It then searches the network (usually via DNS)
To understand KMS in the context of Office 365, it is vital to separate the subscription-based cloud product from traditional on-premises volume licensing.
Open the KMSInfo.txt file and search for "Office" to find your Office KMS host details. The "Current Count" value should be at least 5. This error can also occur if multiple clients share the same Client Machine ID (CMID), often due to improper system preparation for imaging. To fix this, ensure you run the Office rearm tool on your reference image before capturing it.
: Client machines attempt to "check-in" and renew their activation every 7 days to keep the 180-day timer full. Office 365 vs. Volume Licensing
: Cloud-based via Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory). Users log in with their organizational account to activate the software.