- In a genuine [KMS](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/tn-archive/ee939272(v=technet.10)?redirectedfrom=MSDN#kms-overview) activation environment, activation lasts a maximum of up to 180 days. This is done using a valid license and server setup.
- In the Windows major upgrade process, the system uses `gatherosstate.exe` to carry over the remaining KMS activation period. It does it by creating a ticket that can be used offline.
- The trick is that we can fool the `gatherosstate.exe` about the remaining KMS activation period and manually put the desired period maximum up to 19 January 2038 03:14:07 UTC.
It's related to the [Y2K38 problem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2038_problem) as this date (19 January 2038 03:14:07 UTC) is the maximum date we can give to `gatherosstate.exe` without it looping back to the year 1970.
gatherosstate.exe uses the system's `C:\Windows\System32\slc.dll` file to gather the system's info. If we place a custom slc.dll file beside gatherosstate.exe which can send the rubbish data to it, then it will simply accept it and generate a valid ticket allowing activation upto 19 January 2038 03:14:07 UTC.\
**2-** [Modify](https://github.com/asdcorp/GamersOsState) the gatherosstate.exe file itself so that it doesn't check the system's activation status and we can put the activation period as we wish.
- To be clear, we are **not modifying/patching any on-board system file** to get the ticket. Gatherosstate.exe is a part of ISO file and not available in C drive system files. System's slc.dll file is not touched, instead we use custom slc.dll only for a brief moment of ticket generation.
- Latest MAS doesn't use any of these methods, instead it uses ready to use Universal tickets (check below for manual activation info).
**A:** Not directly. They could only update Clipup to allow for a maximum activation period of 180 days. Not much besides that can be done on their part. The tickets are not sent to Microsoft at all, so they can't block them or take action directly.
- ServerRdsh, Server Azure Datacenter editions do not [officially](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/windows-10-multisession-faq) support activation on non-azure systems.
- To KMS38 activate it, you need to download `ClipUp.exe` file from [this link](https://www.box.com/index.php?rm=box_download_shared_file&shared_name=qrmkewit9ty6ah0qzk0vncyyrwo8hei9&file_id=f_747809716860).\
This file has digital signatures which can be verified. You can also get this file from official [Windows Server 2016 x64 RTM ISO](https://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/F/16FA20E6-4662-482A-920B-1A45CF5AAE3C/14393.0.160715-1616.RS1_RELEASE_SERVER_EVAL_X64FRE_EN-US.ISO).
- If you are going to use [KMS_VL_ALL]((https://github.com/abbodi1406/KMS_VL_ALL_AIO)) by abbodi1406 or [MAS](index.html) (Online KMS option) for **Office activation**, then you can choose to remove this protection.
- In the KMS activation method, Windows first checks the KMS IP registered as a specific KMS, and if that is not defined then it checks the Global KMS IP. Another fact is that if Localhost (IP range 127.0.0.0/8) is defined as KMS IP in Windows 8 and later OS then Windows will not accept it as a valid KMS IP. This script simply utilizes the above facts to protect the KMS38 activation from being overwritten by any alternative 'normal' 180-Day KMS Activation and at the same time that KMS activator can be used for Office activation.
This is for those who wants to perform manual activation. If you want a tool to do this for you then check [here](index.html).
We can divide the manual activation process into two parts.
### 1- From Ready-Made Ticket
- Open Windows Powershell as administrator, and enter the following listed commands in the sequence in which they are given.
- Enter the Key, (Replace `<key>` with the key from the above list) with the following command
`slmgr /ipk <key>`
- Download Universal ticket from [here](https://www.box.com/index.php?rm=box_download_shared_file&shared_name=p9zvmu4tnogv4nkn01kpyvkndfzhhiv4&file_id=f_1171245497490) and extract the downloaded file.
- Find a file named `KMS.xml` in the extracted folder.
- Copy that ticket file and paste it in the below folder
In this process we will perform activation from scratch. This is based on Universal ticket method. Here we will create identical ticket which is used in MAS KMS38 script and activate the system with it.
- To make the exact ticket used in MAS KMS38 script, fix the time with below Powershell command and then initiate the ticket generation process as per above mentioned steps.\
To KMS38 activate it, you need to download `ClipUp.exe` file from [this link](https://www.box.com/index.php?rm=box_download_shared_file&shared_name=qrmkewit9ty6ah0qzk0vncyyrwo8hei9&file_id=f_747809716860).\
This file has digital signatures which can be verified. You can also get this file from official [Windows Server 2016 x64 RTM ISO](https://download.microsoft.com/download/1/6/F/16FA20E6-4662-482A-920B-1A45CF5AAE3C/14393.0.160715-1616.RS1_RELEASE_SERVER_EVAL_X64FRE_EN-US.ISO).\
Put the `ClipUp.exe` in `C:\Windows\System32` folder and then initiate the above mentioned activation process. Once the activation is done, you can remove the file.
