- Article
- 9 minutes to read
- Applies to:
- ✅window 10, ✅window 11
This article describes how to deploy Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise E3 or E5 licensesSubscription ActivationÖE3 company in CSPy Azure Active Directory (Azure AD).
These activation features require a licensed and supported version of Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro:
- Subscription activation with an Enterprise Agreement (EA) or Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA).
- E3 company in CSP.
- Automatic activation without KMS also requires a device with an activation key embedded in the firmware.
- Subscription activation requires Enterpriseper userlicense. doesn't work withper devicelicense.
Activate subscription activation with an existing EA
If you are an EA customer with an existing Microsoft 365 tenant, please follow the steps below to activate Windows subscription licenses in your existing tenant:
Work with your reseller to order a SKU at $0 per user. As of October 1, 2022, three SKUs are available based on your current Windows Enterprise SA license:
item number description AAA-51069 Win OLS Activation User Alng Sub Plugin E3AAA-51068 Win OLS E5 activation user partial completionVRM-00001 Activation user of Win OLS Sub GCC per userUse
As of October 1, 2022, subscription activation will be available forcommercialjCCGTenants Not currently available in GCC High or DoD tenants.
After placing an order, the OLS admin of the agreement will receive a service activation email indicating that the subscription licenses have been provisioned at the tenant.
You can now assign subscription licenses to users.
If you update the contact information and need to resend the activation email, do the following:
Log inMicrosoft Volume Licensing Service Center.
ChooseSubscriptions.
ChooseList of online service contracts.
Enter your contract number and then selectSearch.
Chooseservice name.
insideSubscription Contactsection, select the name belowSurname.
Update the contact information, and then selectupdate contact details. This action triggers a new email.
Prepare for deployment: Review requirements
- Devices must be running a supported version of Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro
- Azure AD Connect joined or Azure AD Connect joined hybrid domain. Customers connected to Azure AD are also eligible.
For more information, seeCheck the device requirements, later in this article.
Active Directory synchronization with Azure AD
If you have an on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) domain, you must synchronize the identities in the on-premises AD DS domain to Azure AD. This sync is required for users to have aunique identitywhich they can use to access their on-premises applications and cloud services that use Azure AD. An example of a cloud service is Windows Enterprise E3 or E5.
illustration 1demonstrates the integration between on-premises AD DS domain and Azure AD. Azure AD Connect is responsible for identity synchronization between on-premises AD DS domain and Azure AD. Azure AD Connect is a service that you can install on-premises or in a virtual machine in Azure.
Figure 1: On-premises AD DS integrated with Azure AD
For more information about integrating on-premises AD DS domains with Azure AD, see the following resources:
- What is hybrid identity with Azure Active Directory?
- Installationsroadmap für Azure AD Connect und Azure AD Connect Health
Assign licenses to users
After you order your Windows subscription (Windows 10 Business, E3, or E5), you'll receive an email with instructions on using Windows as an online service:
The following methods are available for assigning licenses:
If you have the required Azure AD subscription,group-based licensingis the preferred method for assigning Enterprise E3 or E5 licenses to users.
You can sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center and assign licenses manually:
You can assign licenses by uploading a spreadsheet.
How to use PowerShell to automatically assign licenses to your Microsoft 365 users.
Rat
Other solutions may exist from the community. For example, a Microsoft MVP shared the following process:Assign EMS licenses based on membership in an on-premises Active Directory group.
Discover the upgrade experience
Now that you've set up a subscription and assigned licenses to users, you can upgrade devices running supported versions of Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro to the Enterprise edition.
Use
The following experiences are specific to Windows 10. The general concepts also apply to Windows 11.
Step 1: Join Windows Pro devices to Azure AD
You can join a Windows Pro device to Azure AD during setup, when the device boots for the first time. You can also join a device that is already set up.
Join a device to Azure AD when the device boots for the first time
During the initial setup in theWho is the owner of this PC?page, selectmy organizationand then selectNext.
Figure 2: "Who owns this PC?" Page in the initial configuration of Windows 10.
(Video) How to deploy Windows 11 21H2 (Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and Windows Deployment Services)About himChoose how you want to connectpage, selectJoin Azure ADand then selectNext.
Figure 3: The Choose how to connect page during Windows 10 initial setup.
About himlet's log inOn the page, enter your Azure AD credentials, and then selectCheck-In.
Figure 4: The Sign In page during the initial Windows 10 setup.
The device is now connected to the organization's subscription with Azure AD.
Join a device to Azure AD if the device is already configured with Windows 10 Pro
Important
Make sure the user you are logging in with is the samenotheINTEGRATED/AdminInvoice. This user cannot use the+ connectAction to join a work or school account.
Go tothe settings, SelectContentand selectaccess to work or school.
Figure 5: Connect to work or school settings in Settings.
InSet up a work or school account, SelectJoin this device to Azure Active Directory.
Figure 6: Setting up a work or school account.
About himlet's log inOn the page, enter your Azure AD credentials, and then selectCheck-In.
Figure 7: The "Let's log in" window.
The device is now connected to the organization's subscription with Azure AD.
Step 2: Activate the Pro edition
If the device is running a supported version of Windows 10 or Windows 11, it automatically activates Windows Enterprise Edition using the activation key embedded in the firmware.
Step 3 - Sign in with an Azure AD account
Once the device is connected to Azure AD, users sign in with their Azure AD account, as shown inFigure 8. The Windows 10 Enterprise E3 or E5 license associated with the user enables the Windows 10 Enterprise edition features on the device.
Figure 8: Sign in to Windows 10 with an Azure AD account.
Step 4: Make sure Enterprise Edition is activated
To verify your Windows Enterprise E3 or E5 subscription, go tothe settings, Selectupdate and securityand selectactivation.
Figure 9 - Check Windows 10 Enterprise subscription in Settings.
For Windows Enterprise E3 or E5 license or license activation issues, theactivationThe control panel displays the appropriate status or error message. You can use this information to diagnose the licensing and activation process.
Use
If you use theslmgr /dliÖslmgr /dlvCommands to get E3 or E5 license activation information, the displayed license information is similar to the following output:
Name: Windows(R) Professional Edition Description: Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL Channel Partial Product Key: 3V66TTroubleshooting user experience
In some cases, users may encounter issues with their Windows Enterprise E3 or E5 subscription. The most common issues that users may encounter are the following issues:
- Your Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 or E5 subscription has expired or been removed.
- A previous version of Windows 10 Pro is not activated. For example, Windows 10, versions 1703 or 1709.
Fix common problems in the activation window
Use the following images to help you troubleshoot when users encounter common problems:
device in good condition
The image below shows a healthy device with Windows 10 Pro activated and the Windows 10 Enterprise subscription active.
Device not activated with active subscription
Figure 10 shows a device that does not have Windows 10 Pro activated but the Windows 10 Enterprise subscription is active.
Figure 10: Windows 10 Pro, version 1703 edition not activated in settings.
It shows the following error: "We cannot activate Windows on this device at this time. You can try to activate it again later or go to the store to buy real Windows. Error code: 0xC004F034."
Device is activated without an Enterprise subscription
Figure 11 shows a device that has Windows 10 Pro activated but the Windows 10 Enterprise subscription has expired or been removed.
Figure 11: Windows 10 Enterprise subscription expired or removed in settings.
It shows the following error: "Windows 10 Enterprise subscription is invalid."
Unactivated device without an Enterprise subscription
Figure 12 shows a device that does not have the Windows 10 Pro license activated and the Windows 10 Enterprise subscription has expired or been removed.
Figure 12: Windows 10 Pro, version 1703 edition not activated and Windows 10 Enterprise subscription expired or removed in settings.
It shows the two error messages above.
Check the device requirements
Devices must be running a supported version of Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro. Earlier versions of Windows 10, such as B. version 1703, do not support this feature.
The devices must also be joined to Azure AD or a hybrid domain connected to Azure AD Connect. Customers connected to Azure AD are also eligible.
Use the following procedures to verify that a specific device meets these requirements.
Activation key embedded in firmware
To determine if the computer has an activation key embedded in the firmware, type the following command at an elevated Windows PowerShell prompt:
(Get-CimInstance -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKeyIf the device has an activation key built into the firmware, it will appear in the output. If the output is blank, the device does not have an embedded firmware activation key. Most OEM-supplied devices designed to run Windows 8 or later have a key built into the firmware.
Determine if a device is Azure AD joined
Open a command prompt and type
dsregcmd /status.Check the output in thedevice statusSection. If heAzureAdUnidothe value isAND, the device is joined to Azure AD.
Determine the version of Windows
Open a command prompt and type
winner.IsAbout windowsThe window displays the operating system version and build information.
Compare this information again with the Windows Support Lifecycle:
- Windows 10 version information
- Windows 11 version information
Use
If a device is running a version of Windows 10 Pro earlier than version 1703, it will not be upgraded to Windows 10 Enterprise when a user signs in, even if the user has a subscription assigned in the CSP portal.
Windows 10 Enterprise license activation delay
This delay is intentional. Windows 10 and Windows 11 include a built-in cache that is used to determine upgrade eligibility. This behavior includes processing responses indicating that the device is not eligible for an update. After a qualifying purchase, it may take up to four days for upgrade eligibility to activate and for the cache to expire.
known problems
If a device fails to connect to Windows Update, it may lose activation status or fail to upgrade to Windows Enterprise. To solve this problem:
Make sure the device does not have the following registry value:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\DoNotConnectToWindowsUpdateInternetLocations = 1 (REG_DWORD). If this registry value exists, it should be set to0.Make sure the following group policy settings are in placedisabled people: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Do not connect to an Internet location for Windows Update.
Access to Virtual Desktops (VDA)
Windows Enterprise subscriptions are also available for virtualized customers. Enterprise E3 and E5 are available for Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) on Azure or othersQualified multi-tenant hosting provider(Download PDF).
Virtual machines (VMs) must be configured to enable Windows Enterprise subscriptions for VDAs. Active Directory and Azure AD joined clients are supported. For more information, seeEnabling Enterprise VDA Subscription Activation.
FAQs
Which deployment method can be used to deploy Windows 10? ›
Windows Autopilot is a new suite of capabilities designed to simplify and modernize the deployment and management of new Windows 10 PCs. Windows Autopilot enables IT professionals to customize the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) for Windows 10 PCs and provide end users with a fully configured new Windows 10 device.
What are the deployment methods of Windows 10 to existing enterprise desktops? ›- Use PXE to deploy Windows over the network.
- Use Software Center to deploy Windows over the network.
- Use bootable media to deploy Windows over the network.
- Use standalone media to deploy Windows without using the network.
Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation . Select Change product key. Type in the product key found on the COA and follow the instructions.
What is the difference between Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 enterprise? ›Windows 10 Enterprise N includes the same functionality as Windows 10 Enterprise, except that it does not include certain media related technologies (Windows Media Player, Camera, Music, TV & Movies) and does not include the Skype app.
Can I install Windows 10 enterprise on multiple computers? ›You can only install it on one computer. If you need to upgrade an additional computer to Windows 10 Pro, you need an additional license.
What are the 3 deployment modes that can be used for Azure? ›Azure supports three approaches to deploying cloud resources - public, private, and the hybrid cloud. Selecting between them will change several factors of the services you move into Azure including cost, maintenance requirements, and security.
What is the difference between Microsoft WDS and MDT? ›MDT is the way to go. WDS just delivers the images. With MDT, you can manage your image creation process as well as the imaging process. So yes, with MDT you can create a single image and push it to any number of different hardware models and inject the drivers as needed at image time.
How do you deploy a Windows service to a production server? ›- Install Location on server hosting windows server -> D:\InstallDir.
- Copied windows Service related files into this folder.
- Created a batch file to Install Windows Service ( InstallUtil. ...
- Installed windows service using the install batch file.
- Step 1 – Add Windows 10 1909 Operating System Image.
- Step 2 – Distribute the Windows 10 1909 Content.
- Step 3 – Create SCCM Task Sequence to Deploy Windows 10 1909.
- Step 4 – Deploy Windows 10 1909 using SCCM.
- Step 5 – Windows 10 1909 Deployment.
Alternatives to WDS, such as Microsoft Configuration Manager and Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) provide a better, more flexible, and feature-rich experience for deploying Windows images.
What is enterprise software deployment? ›
Enterprise Software Deployment refers to all of the activities and processes that have to take place before a software application is made available to the public. Normally, a software application begins after it's been written, tested and delivered to an enterprise or organization.
How long can you use Windows 10 enterprise without activation? ›In fact, users can continue to utilize the unactivated Win 10 with the few restrictions it has. Thus, Windows 10 can run indefinitely without activation. So, users can utilize the unactivated platform for as long as they wish at the moment.
Can you use Windows 10 enterprise without activation? ›Additionally, you can use an unactivated Windows 10 without any restrictions for one month after first installing it. This means that your system will behave as if it's activated for 30 days.
How to activate Windows 10 Enterprise for free permanently? ›- You can press Windows + R key on the keyboard to open Windows Run box. ...
- After you enter into Windows 10 Command Prompt, you can copy and paste this command line: slmgr.vbs /upk, in the Command Prompt window.
Windows 10 Enterprise, is an add-on that sits on top of Windows 10 Pro for added security and mobile device management benefits. Windows 10 Enterprise can be purchased as a monthly subscription for $7 or $11 per user/month depending on which license you purchase, similar to the other Office 365 licenses.
Is Windows 10 Enterprise discontinued? ›...
Support Dates.
| Listing | Start Date | Retirement Date |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 Enterprise and Education | Jul 29, 2015 | Oct 14, 2025 |
- Advanced protection against modern security threats.
- Flexible deployment, update, and support options.
- Comprehensive device and app management and control.
But if it's an OEM license, it's permanently tied to the first computer it's installed on and it may never be moved to another. You can use it as many times as you want to *only* if you use it on the original computer.
Can I use the same Windows license on 2 computers? ›You're allowed to reuse such a key on different computers. (However, you can't use a single license on multiple computers simultaneously.) So if you build a whole new PC, you can move the license over to it with no hassle.
How do I transfer my Windows license from one computer to another? ›- Deactivate old Windows 10 setup.
- Activate new Windows 10 setup.
- Install license using Command Prompt.
- Install license using Microsoft support.
What are the 4 types of cloud deployment models? ›
There are four cloud deployment models: public, private, community, and hybrid.
What are the four cloud deployment types? ›4 Cloud Deployment Models with Examples: Public, Private, Community, Hybrid. There are many different models to choose from in regard to cloud deployments. Your cloud infrastructure and placement of each workload depends on your business needs.
What are the different types of deployment? ›- Rolling Strategy and Canary Deployments.
- Recreate Strategy.
- Custom Strategy.
- Blue-Green Deployment using routes.
- A/B Deployment and canary deployments using routes.
- One Service, Multiple Deployment Configurations.
To make a new computer known to WDS, it must be added to Active Directory.
Which operating system can be deployed with WDS? ›Windows Deployment Services (WDS) is a server role that you can deploy on computers running Windows Server.
Which Windows services are required for WDS? ›The WDS Client API requires the Microsoft Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE 2.0) phase of setup processing. A RAMDISK bootable image of Windows PE 2.0 in the . WIM format must be downloaded as part of the network boot process to implement custom WDS clients.
How does window deployment services work? ›Windows Deployment Services is a server role that gives administrators the ability to deploy Windows operating systems remotely. WDS can be used for network-based installations to set up new computers so administrators do not have to directly install each operating system (OS).
How do I deploy a Windows application? ›...
This is going to:
- Compile the Windows Forms application.
- Create an MSIX package out of the build results.
- Deploy the packages.
- Install it locally on the development machine.
- Launch the app.
- Create a private cluster.
- Build the Windows Server application Docker image.
- Create a Deployment manifest file.
- Verify the Pod is running.
To deploy the Windows 11 22H2 feature update via Patch Manager Plus, navigate to Admin -> Settings -> Patch Database Settings -> click on the Windows tab and enable the Feature Pack option.
How do I deploy Windows 10 21H1 SCCM? ›
- Prerequisites.
- Download Windows 10 21H1 ISO.
- Mount and Extract Windows 10 ISO.
- Import Windows 10 Operating System Image.
- Distribute Operating System Image.
- Create Task Sequence to deploy an OS.
- Edit the Task Sequence.
- Step 1: Review and update your Configuration Manager infrastructure. ...
- Step 2: Create collections. ...
- Step 3: Create and deploy the Microsoft 365 Apps application. ...
- Step 4: Configure updates. ...
- Step 5: Monitor progress.
text/html 9/5/2012 11:47:18 AM Santosh Bhandarkar 0. 0. WSUS and WDS are two different technologies and there is no one to one comparison between them. As suggested above, WSUS is used for Windows Update/Patch Management and WDS is used for OS deployment over network.
Is Windows Deployment Services free? ›The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) is a free tool for automating Windows and Windows Server operating system deployment, leveraging the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 10.
Does SCCM use WDS? ›Once the PXE role is enabled, SCCM will automatically take care of the prerequisite of the PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) role called Windows Deployment Service (WDS).
What are the 3 main steps in the deployment process? ›- Preparation. ...
- Testing. ...
- Deployment.
- Install Java EE application files on an application server.
- Edit the administrative configuration for an application.
- Optional: View the deployment descriptor for an application or module.
- Start and stop enterprise applications.
- Export enterprise applications.
- Export a file in a Java EE application or module.
- Project planning.
- Install & data conversion.
- Process development & training.
- Initial pilot testing.
- Go live cutover.
- Post go live support.
If you don't activate Windows 10, some features will be disabled upon the expiry of the trial period. For instance, you won't be able to customize your PC or laptop, meaning features like themes, lock screen, colors, fonts, and taskbar will return to their default settings (if you customized them).
How do I activate Windows if I don't have a product key? ›Open the Settings app and head to Update & Security > Activation. You'll see a “Go to Store” button that will take you to the Windows Store if Windows isn't licensed. In the Store, you can purchase an official Windows license that will activate your PC.
Does Windows 10 enterprise require a domain? ›
There is no need to require a domain in order for Windows 10 Enterprise to operate. When running Windows 10 setup from enterprise media, one of the options presented is to choose how you'll connect Windows to your organization.
Will Windows 10 enterprise key activate Windows 10? ›You cannot activate Windows 10 enterprise with Windows 10 professional key. The better solution is that you install Windows 10 professional OEM and use the key you have. And once OEM is installed, you cannot transfer that OS to another PC unlike the retail version.
How do I install Windows 10 enterprise without a Microsoft account? ›You aren't able to setup Windows 10 without a Microsoft account. Instead, you're forced to sign in with a Microsoft account during the first-time setup process – after installing or while setting up your new computer with the operating system.
What is the product key for Windows 10 enterprise? ›| Operating system edition | KMS Client Product Key |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 | DCPHK-NFMTC-H88MJ-PFHPY-QJ4BJ |
| Windows 10 Enterprise N LTSB 2016 | QFFDN-GRT3P-VKWWX-X7T3R-8B639 |
In the search box type cmd. Right-click Command Prompt, and then select Command Prompt/PowerShell as an Administrator. The User Account Control window may appear, if so select Yes. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF and then press Enter .
How do I get Windows 10 enterprise? ›Where can I download Windows 10 Enterprise? If you have Windows volume licenses with Software Assurance, or if you have purchased licenses for Windows 10 Enterprise volume licenses, you can download 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10 Enterprise from the Volume Licensing Service Center.
How do I get Windows 10 Pro Enterprise? ›- Navigate to Windows 10 Enterprise Settings > Update & security > Activation.
- In the right section, click on the Change product key option.
- Next, input the Windows 10 Pro generic product key above into the column.
- Confirm the change with the Activate button.
To join a computer to a domain
Navigate to System and Security, and then click System. Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, click Change settings. Under the Computer Name tab, click Change. Under Member of, click Domain, type the name of the domain that you wish this computer to join, and then click OK.
On the Start menu, click Administrative Tools > Server Manager > Windows Deployment Services. In the WDS administration tool, browse to the server that you are configuring, right-click the folder Boot Images and click Add Boot Image.
How does Microsoft enterprise licensing work? ›The Enterprise Agreement includes a subscription option that lowers initial licensing costs because you subscribe to the rights to use Microsoft products and services instead of owning them. The subscription option also enables you to increase or decrease subscription counts on an annual basis.
Is Windows enterprise the same as Windows Pro? ›
Windows 10 Pro is the business version of Windows 10 that comes pre-installed on most PCs when you buy them from Dell, HP, Microsoft, etc. Windows 10 Enterprise however, is an add-on that sits on top of Windows 10 Pro for added security and mobile device management benefits.
Is Windows Enterprise better than Pro? ›Windows 11 Enterprise and Professional are two versions of the Windows Operating System designed for businesses. The Enterprise version offers additional features, such as advanced security and compliance tools, that make it suitable for larger organizations with more complex IT requirements.
Can Windows 10 Enterprise join a domain? ›Join a Windows 10 PC or Device to a Domain. On the Windows 10 PC, go to Settings > System > About, then click Join a domain. Enter the Domain name and click Next. You should have the correct domain info, but if not, contact your Network Administrator.
How do I install Windows 10 enterprise from an ISO file? ›- An ISO file with the Windows 10 Setup. ...
- Windows 10 Setup - Choose the language, time, currency, and keyboard. ...
- Press Install now. ...
- Enter the Windows 10 activation key. ...
- Choose the Windows 10 edition you want to install. ...
- Accept the license terms. ...
- Click or tap on Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)