Thursday, October 01, 2015

VMware VM Template deployment and MS Windows product license activation

In the past I have been informed from some of my customers that MS Windows Server license was not properly applied and activated  during VMware VM template deployment even the Product Key was properly entered in "Customization Specification".

I don't know if this issue still exists in the latest vSphere version however there was always pretty easy work around my customer is using since then.

You can use Run Once commands in "Customization Template". Below, in vSphere Web Client screen shot, you can see just example where two MS-DOS commands (dir and echo) are used.


For application and activation of MS Windows license key is leveraged tool slmgr.vbs which stands for "Windows Software Licensing Management Tool". 

Exact Run Once commands are:
  • C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -ipk H7Y93-12345-54321-ABCDE (just example use your product key)
  • C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -ipk

First command is used for product key application and second for activation.

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