Access to this page requires authorization. You can try signing in or changing directories . Access to this page requires authorization. You can try changing directories . Applies to: ✅ Windows 11 , ✅ Windows 10 , ✅ Windows Server 2022 , ✅ Windows Server 2019 , ✅ Windows Server 2016 This article describes how to install the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT). VAMT is installed as part of the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows. VAMT requires local administrator privileges on all managed computers in order to deposit confirmation IDs (CIDs), get the client products' license status, and install product keys. If VAMT is being used to manage products and product keys on the local host computer but administrator privileges aren't available, start VAMT with elevated privileges. For best results when using Active Directory-based activation, we recommend running VAMT while logged on as a domain administrator. The VAMT Microsoft Management Console snap-in ships as an x86 package. Windows Server with Desktop Experience , with internet access (for the main VAMT console) and all updates applied. Windows Server with Desktop Experience , with internet access (for the main VAMT console) and all updates applied. Latest version of the Windows ADK . Latest version of the Windows ADK . Any supported SQL Server Express version. The latest is recommended. Any supported SQL Server Express version. The latest is recommended. Alternatively, any supported full SQL instance. Alternatively, any supported full SQL instance. Install SQL Server Express / alternatively use any full SQL instance Download and open the SQL Server Express package. Download and open the SQL Server Express package. For Select an installation type: , select Basic . For Select an installation type: , select Basic . In the Microsoft SQL Server Server License Terms screen, accept the license terms by selecting the Accept button. In the Microsoft SQL Server Server License Terms screen, accept the license terms by selecting the Accept button. In the Specify SQL Server install location screen under INSTALL LOCATION *: , specify an install location or use the default path, and then select the Install button. In the Specify SQL Server install location screen under INSTALL LOCATION *: , specify an install location or use the default path, and then select the Install button. Once the installation is complete, in the Installation Has completed successfully! page, under INSTANCE NAME , note the instance name for the installation. The instance name is used later in the Configure VAMT to connect to SQL Server Express or full SQL Server section. Once the installation is complete, in the Installation Has completed successfully! page, under INSTANCE NAME , note the instance name for the installation. The instance name is used later in the Configure VAMT to connect to SQL Server Express or full SQL Server section. Once the instance name is noted, select the Close button, and then select the Yes button to confirm exiting the installer. Once the instance name is noted, select the Close button, and then select the Yes button to confirm exiting the installer. Install VAMT using the ADK Download the latest version of Windows ADK . If an older version is already installed, it's recommended to first uninstall the older ADK before installing the latest version. Existing VAMT data is maintained in the VAMT database. Download the latest version of Windows ADK . If an older version is already installed, it's recommended to first uninstall the older ADK before installing the latest version. Existing VAMT data is maintained in the VAMT database. Open the ADK installer that was downloaded in the previous step. The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit window opens. Open the ADK installer that was downloaded in the previous step. The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit window opens. In the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit window: At the Specify Location page, under Install Path: , enter an install location or use the default path. It's recommended to install at the default path. Once done, select the Next button. In the Windows Kits Privacy page, select a privacy setting, and then select the Next button. In the License Agreement page, accept the license terms by selecting the Accept button. In the Select the features you want to install page, select Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) . If desired, select any additional features to install. Once done, select the Install button. Once installation is complete, the Welcome to the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit! page is displayed. Select the Close button. In the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit window: At the Specify Location page, under Install Path: , enter an install location or use the default path. It's recommended to install at the default path. Once done, select the Next button. At the Specify Location page, under Install Path: , enter an install location or use the default path. It's recommended to install at the default path. Once done, select the Next button. In the Windows Kits Privacy page, select a privacy setting, and then select the Next button. In the Windows Kits Privacy page, select a privacy setting, and then select the Next button. In the License Agreement page, accept the license terms by selecting the Accept button. In the License Agreement page, accept the license terms by selecting the Accept button. In the Select the features you want to install page, select Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) . If desired, select any additional features to install. Once done, select the Install button.

In the Select the features you want to install page, select Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) . If desired, select any additional features to install. Once done, select the Install button. Once installation is complete, the Welcome to the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit! page is displayed. Select the Close button. Once installation is complete, the Welcome to the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit! page is displayed. Select the Close button. Configure VAMT to connect to SQL Server Express or full SQL Server In the Start Menu under Windows Kits , select Volume Active Management Tool 3.1 . The Database Connection Settings window opens. In the Start Menu under Windows Kits , select Volume Active Management Tool 3.1 . The Database Connection Settings window opens. In the Database Connection Settings window: Next to Server: , enter the server instance name as determined in the Install SQL Server Express / alternatively use any full SQL instance section. If SQL is remote, make sure to use the FQDN. Next to Database: , add a name for the database. Once the database server and database names are entered, select the Connect button. Select the Yes button to create the database. In the Database Connection Settings window: Next to Server: , enter the server instance name as determined in the Install SQL Server Express / alternatively use any full SQL instance section. If SQL is remote, make sure to use the FQDN. Next to Server: , enter the server instance name as determined in the Install SQL Server Express / alternatively use any full SQL instance section. If SQL is remote, make sure to use the FQDN. Next to Database: , add a name for the database. Next to Database: , add a name for the database. Once the database server and database names are entered, select the Connect button. Once the database server and database names are entered, select the Connect button. Select the Yes button to create the database. Select the Yes button to create the database. To uninstall VAMT: Right-click on the Start Menu and select Settings . Right-click on the Start Menu and select Settings . Select Apps in the left hand pane. Select Apps in the left hand pane. In the right hand pane under Apps , select Installed apps . Alternatively, select the following link to automatically open the Settings app to the Installed apps page: Installed apps In the right hand pane under Apps , select Installed apps . Alternatively, select the following link to automatically open the Settings app to the Installed apps page: Scroll through the list of installed apps and find Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit . Scroll through the list of installed apps and find Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit . Select the three dots ... next to Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit and then select Modify . The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit window opens. Select the three dots ... next to Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit and then select Modify . The Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit window opens. In the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit window: In the Maintain your Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit features page, select Change , and then select the Next button. In the Select the features you want to change page, uncheck Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) , and then select the Change button. Once the uninstall is complete, the Change is complete. page is displayed. Select the Close button. In the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit window: In the Maintain your Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit features page, select Change , and then select the Next button. In the Maintain your Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit features page, select Change , and then select the Next button. In the Select the features you want to change page, uncheck Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) , and then select the Change button. In the Select the features you want to change page, uncheck Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) , and then select the Change button. Once the uninstall is complete, the Change is complete. page is displayed. Select the Close button. Once the uninstall is complete, the Change is complete. page is displayed. Select the Close button. Was this page helpful? Need help with this topic? Want to try using Ask Learn to clarify or guide you through this topic? Additional resources Last updated on 2025-05-14