massgrave.dev/kms38.md

# KMS38 Activation

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## Overview

-   How to use it? Please find the instructions [here](index.html#Download__How_to_use_it).

-   This activation method activates Windows 10/11 and Windows Server (14393 and later builds), until 19 January 2038 03:14:07 UTC.

-   This activation method does not store any files on the system.

-   This activation method works offline.

-   Unlike HWID and Online KMS activation option, KMS38 does not match with any official activation method.

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## How does it work?

-   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.

-   However, 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.

-   Why it's limited to the year 2038?\
    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.

**Q:** Can Microsoft block this kind of activation?\
**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.

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## Supported Products

| Windows 10/11                    | Generic Volume License Key      |
|:---------------------------------|:--------------------------------|
| Education                        | `NW6C2-QMPVW-D7KKK-3GKT6-VCFB2` |
| Education N                      | `2WH4N-8QGBV-H22JP-CT43Q-MDWWJ` |
| Enterprise                       | `NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43` |
| Enterprise N                     | `DPH2V-TTNVB-4X9Q3-TJR4H-KHJW4` |
| Enterprise G                     | `YYVX9-NTFWV-6MDM3-9PT4T-4M68B` |
| Enterprise G N                   | `44RPN-FTY23-9VTTB-MP9BX-T84FV` |
| Enterprise LTSB 2015             | `WNMTR-4C88C-JK8YV-HQ7T2-76DF9` |
| Enterprise LTSB 2016             | `DCPHK-NFMTC-H88MJ-PFHPY-QJ4BJ` |
| Enterprise LTSC 2019             | `M7XTQ-FN8P6-TTKYV-9D4CC-J462D` |
| Enterprise LTSC 2021             | `M7XTQ-FN8P6-TTKYV-9D4CC-J462D` |
| Enterprise N LTSB 2015           | `2F77B-TNFGY-69QQF-B8YKP-D69TJ` |
| Enterprise N LTSB 2016           | `QFFDN-GRT3P-VKWWX-X7T3R-8B639` |
| Enterprise N LTSC 2019           | `92NFX-8DJQP-P6BBQ-THF9C-7CG2H` |
| Enterprise N LTSC 2021           | `92NFX-8DJQP-P6BBQ-THF9C-7CG2H` |
| IoT Enterprise LTSC (Windows 11) | `KBN8V-HFGQ4-MGXVD-347P6-PDQGT` |
| Home                             | `TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99` |
| Home N                           | `3KHY7-WNT83-DGQKR-F7HPR-844BM` |
| Home China                       | `PVMJN-6DFY6-9CCP6-7BKTT-D3WVR` |
| Home Single Language             | `7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH` |
| Lean                             | `NBTWJ-3DR69-3C4V8-C26MC-GQ9M6` |
| Pro                              | `W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX` |
| Pro N                            | `MH37W-N47XK-V7XM9-C7227-GCQG9` |
| Pro Education                    | `6TP4R-GNPTD-KYYHQ-7B7DP-J447Y` |
| Pro Education N                  | `YVWGF-BXNMC-HTQYQ-CPQ99-66QFC` |
| Pro for Workstations             | `NRG8B-VKK3Q-CXVCJ-9G2XF-6Q84J` |
| Pro N for Workstations           | `9FNHH-K3HBT-3W4TD-6383H-6XYWF` |
| SE                               | `37D7F-N49CB-WQR8W-TBJ73-FM8RX` |
| SE N                             | `6XN7V-PCBDC-BDBRH-8DQY7-G6R44` |

| Windows Server (LTSC)             | Generic Volume License Key      |
|:----------------------------------|:--------------------------------|
| Windows Server 2022 Datacenter    | `WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33` |
| Windows Server 2022 Standard      | `VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H` |
| Windows Server 2022 Azure Core    | `6N379-GGTMK-23C6M-XVVTC-CKFRQ` |
| Windows Server 2019 Datacenter    | `WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG` |
| Windows Server 2019 Standard      | `N69G4-B89J2-4G8F4-WWYCC-J464C` |
| Windows Server 2019 Essentials    | `WVDHN-86M7X-466P6-VHXV7-YY726` |
| Windows Server 2019 Azure Core    | `FDNH6-VW9RW-BXPJ7-4XTYG-239TB` |
| Windows Server 2019 ARM64         | `GRFBW-QNDC4-6QBHG-CCK3B-2PR88` |
| Windows Server 2016 ARM64         | `K9FYF-G6NCK-73M32-XMVPY-F9DRR` |
| Windows Server 2016 Datacenter    | `CB7KF-BWN84-R7R2Y-793K2-8XDDG` |
| Windows Server 2016 Standard      | `WC2BQ-8NRM3-FDDYY-2BFGV-KHKQY` |
| Windows Server 2016 Essentials    | `JCKRF-N37P4-C2D82-9YXRT-4M63B` |
| Windows Server 2016 Cloud Storage | `QN4C6-GBJD2-FB422-GHWJK-GJG2R` |
| Windows Server 2016 Azure Core    | `VP34G-4NPPG-79JTQ-864T4-R3MQX` |

| Windows Server (Semi-Annual Channel) | Generic Volume License Key      |
|:-------------------------------------|:--------------------------------|
| Windows Server Azure Datacenter      | `NTBV8-9K7Q8-V27C6-M2BTV-KHMXV` |
| **20H2, 2004, 1909, 1903, and 1809** |                                 |
| Windows Server Datacenter            | `6NMRW-2C8FM-D24W7-TQWMY-CWH2D` |
| Windows Server Standard              | `N2KJX-J94YW-TQVFB-DG9YT-724CC` |
| **1803**                             |                                 |
| Windows Server Datacenter            | `2HXDN-KRXHB-GPYC7-YCKFJ-7FVDG` |
| Windows Server Standard              | `PTXN8-JFHJM-4WC78-MPCBR-9W4KR` |
| **1709**                             |                                 |
| Windows Server Datacenter            | `6Y6KB-N82V8-D8CQV-23MJW-BWTG6` |
| Windows Server Standard              | `DPCNP-XQFKJ-BJF7R-FRC8D-GF6G4` |

**Notes:**

-   X86-X64 and ARM64 architecture systems are supported.

-   Any Evaluation version of Windows (i.e. 'EVAL' LTSB/C) cannot be activated.

-   KMS38 only supports Windows/server version 14393 (1607) and newer versions.

-   ServerRdsh edition does not [officially](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-desktop/windows-10-multisession-faq#can-i-run-windows-10-enterprise-multi-session-on-premises) support activation on non-azure systems.

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## KMS38 - Server Cor/Acor

-   Windows Server Cor/Acor (No GUI) editions don't have `clipup.exe` file.

-   To KMS38 activate it, you need to download `ClipUp.exe` file from the below official MS link.\
    <https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols/clipup.exe/5789984414b000/clipup.exe>

-   Rename the downloaded file as `ClipUp.exe` and put it beside the KMS38 Activation script. That would be either `MAS_AIO.cmd` or `KMS38_Activation.cmd`

-   Activation script will check `ClipUp.exe` in the current folder (from where script is running) and will use it accordingly.

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## KMS38 Protection

-   KMS38 Activation is vulnerable to unintended replacement by a 180-Day KMS Activator.

-   From MAS 1.7, script will enable the KMS38 protection by default.

-   If you are going to use [KMS_VL_ALL]((https://github.com/abbodi1406/KMS_VL_ALL_AIO)) by abbodi1406 or [MAS](https://massgrave.dev) (Online KMS option) for **Office activation**, then you can choose to remove this protection.

-   Below is the explanation for how the script protect KMS38.

-   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.

-   Script steps-

    -   Set the Windows edition-specific KMS IP to Localhost (127.0.0.2)

    -   Protect the below Registry from edit and delete

    -   Done.

`HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f\XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX\`

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## Command line Switches

-   Check [here](command_line_switches.html).

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## Manual Activation

The process here 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.

-   Download file from the below official MS link and extract this .cab file.\
    <https://download.microsoft.com/download/9/A/E/9AE69DD5-BA93-44E0-864E-180F5E700AB4/adk/Installers/14f4df8a2a7fc82a4f415cf6a341415d.cab>

-   Find the file named `filf8377e82b29deadca67bc4858ed3fba9` and rename it as `gatherosstate.exe`

-   Make a folder named `Files` in C drive, `C:\Files` and copy the `gatherosstate.exe` file in that folder.

-   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>`

-   Copy the below code all at once and enter in PowerShell to modify the `gatherosstate.exe` file.

<!-- -->

    $bytes  = [System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes("C:\Files\gatherosstate.exe")
    $bytes[320] = 0xf8
    $bytes[321] = 0xfb
    $bytes[322] = 0x05
    $bytes[324] = 0x03
    $bytes[13672] = 0x25
    $bytes[13674] = 0x73
    $bytes[13676] = 0x3b
    $bytes[13678] = 0x00
    $bytes[13680] = 0x00
    $bytes[13682] = 0x00
    $bytes[13684] = 0x00
    $bytes[32748] = 0xe9
    $bytes[32749] = 0x9e
    $bytes[32750] = 0x00
    $bytes[32751] = 0x00
    $bytes[32752] = 0x00
    $bytes[32894] = 0x8b
    $bytes[32895] = 0x44
    $bytes[32897] = 0x64
    $bytes[32898] = 0x85
    $bytes[32899] = 0xc0
    $bytes[32900] = 0x0f
    $bytes[32901] = 0x85
    $bytes[32902] = 0x1c
    $bytes[32903] = 0x02
    $bytes[32904] = 0x00
    $bytes[32906] = 0xe9
    $bytes[32907] = 0x3c
    $bytes[32908] = 0x01
    $bytes[32909] = 0x00
    $bytes[32910] = 0x00
    $bytes[32911] = 0x85
    $bytes[32912] = 0xdb
    $bytes[32913] = 0x75
    $bytes[32914] = 0xeb
    $bytes[32915] = 0xe9
    $bytes[32916] = 0x69
    $bytes[32917] = 0xff
    $bytes[32918] = 0xff
    $bytes[32919] = 0xff
    $bytes[33094] = 0xe9
    $bytes[33095] = 0x80
    $bytes[33096] = 0x00
    $bytes[33097] = 0x00
    $bytes[33098] = 0x00
    $bytes[33449] = 0x64
    $bytes[33576] = 0x8d
    $bytes[33577] = 0x54
    $bytes[33579] = 0x24
    $bytes[33580] = 0xe9
    $bytes[33581] = 0x55
    $bytes[33582] = 0x01
    $bytes[33583] = 0x00
    $bytes[33584] = 0x00
    $bytes[33978] = 0xc3
    $bytes[34189] = 0x59
    $bytes[34190] = 0xeb
    $bytes[34191] = 0x28
    $bytes[34238] = 0xe9
    $bytes[34239] = 0x4f
    $bytes[34240] = 0x00
    $bytes[34241] = 0x00
    $bytes[34242] = 0x00
    $bytes[34346] = 0x24
    $bytes[34376] = 0xeb
    $bytes[34377] = 0x63
    [System.IO.File]::WriteAllBytes("C:\Files\gatherosstatemodified.exe", $bytes)

-   Now right click on the file `gatherosstatemodified.exe` and goto properties and set the compatibility to Windows XP SP3.\
-   Now we need to generate the ticket, to do that, enter the below command.

<!-- -->

    C:\Files\gatherosstatemodified.exe /c GVLKExp=2038-01-19T03:14:07Z`;DownlevelGenuineState=1

-   A GenuineTicket.xml file should be created in the folder `C:\Files\` now let's apply it.

`clipup -v -o -altto C:\Files\`

-   Check Activation Status with the following command:

`slmgr /xpr`

-   Done.

**Notes:**

-   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.\
    `$date=[datetime]"2022/10/11 12:00";while($true){set-date $date; start-sleep -milliseconds 10}`

-   In the case of Windows Server Cor/Acor (No GUI) editions, the system doesn't have `clipup.exe` file. So to activate it, you need to download `ClipUp.exe` file from the below official MS link.\
    <https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols/clipup.exe/5789984414b000/clipup.exe>[\
    ](https://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols/clipup.exe/5789984414b000/clipup.exeRename)Rename the downloaded file as `ClipUp.exe` and put it in `C:\Windows\System32` folder and then initiate the above mentioned activation process. Once the activation is done, you can remove the file.

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## Setup Preactivate

-   Check the Extract OEM option in the MAS `Extras` section if you want pre-activated Windows installation.

-   Further, read [here](oem-folder.html).

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## Troubleshooting

-   Reach out to us on [Discord](https://discord.gg/gjJEfq7ux8) (signup not required) with an error screenshot.