Windows 10 - Issues with Activation in Gold image - Guest Image

Product Line: VERDE

We have received numerous inquiries regarding: "How to Activate the Gold Image". Here's the scenario from the customer:

"We activated a Windows 10 Gold image as VERDE Admin (mcadmin1), checked in and launched guest sessions as a local and AD user.

We found that the Windows activation was available only for one local user and one AD user and for other users Windows activation was not available. Could you please let us know how to activate the Windows gold image so that all the users get activated windows guest session? Also, is possible to activate Windows 10 in the gold image by MAK activation?

After much research and communications with Microsoft, we are advising the following:

The Customer needs to talk with their Microsoft Rep, since the rules of their Licensing changed when VDI came onto the scene.

At one time, the customer could purchase an MAK (Multiple Access Key) License, add it to the Gold image and whenever a Guest session launched, it would automatically be ‘activated’. It worked for Windows 7 and Windows 10 Gold images. The other method is to purchase Tokens and setup a Microsoft License server to issue out Licenses. This technique had to be installed in the Gold image.

Also, if the Windows VM was being launched from a non-Microsoft server, you also had to add a Microsoft VDA (Virtual Desktop access) license. Once again, at one time, Microsoft included the VDA License if you purchased their ‘Advantage’ program (maintenance on Windows or Office).

So it is best that the Customer speak with their Microsoft Rep to get the latest Licensing information.