Software Activation

Normally, your computer will automatically activate the software present on your computer. However, there may be times in which your software can not effectively communicate with the authenticating servers. These steps should help reconnect you to the servers, and should allow you to once again have the software automatically activated.

NOTE: Most if not all of the software listed on this page requires you to be connected to the university's network. If you are off campus, you will need to download and connect to the campus VPN service. Instructions are located at our VPN wiki page.

1. Download, install and connect to UMD's network using UMD's VPN software. Instructions and a download link are available at our VPN page.
2. Once you are connected to the VPN, Open the Start Menu and enter cmd into the search bar. This should show the cmd program above the search bar.
3. Right click on the cmd program, and select Run as Administrator.
4. This will open the command prompt window. Run the following commands in order:
   1. Type C:
   2. Type cd "\program files\microsoft office\office16" and press Enter
      1. If this step results in a message stating The system cannot find the path specified, then try using cd "\program files\office\office16" instead.
   3. Type cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms.umd.edu and press Enter. This will display Successfully Applied Setting if entered correctly.
   4. Type cscript ospp.vbs /act and press Enter. This will display some information and <Product Activation Successful> if entered correctly.
5. Your copy of Microsoft Office 2016 is now activated.

NOTE: If you are going to be not connected to UMD's network for extended periods of time (for example, if you are doing this from a home computer or are currently traveling), you will need to connect to UMD's network via VPN and open a Microsoft Office Application (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and leave it open for a period of time (usually about an hour).

1. Open the Start Menu and enter cmd into the search bar. This should show the cmd program above the search bar.
2. Right click on the cmd program, and select Run as Administrator.
3. This will open the command prompt window. Run the following commands in order:
   1. Type C:
   2. Type cd "\program files\microsoft office\office16" and press Enter
      1. If this step results in a message stating The system cannot find the path specified, then try using cd "\program files\office\office16" instead.
   3. Type cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms.umd.edu and press Enter. This will display Successfully Applied Setting if entered correctly.
   4. Type cscript ospp.vbs /act and press Enter. This will display some information and <Product Activation Successful> if entered correctly.
4. Your copy of Microsoft Office 2016 is now activated.

NOTE: Make sure the windows time is correct, or activation will fail.

1. Download, install and connect to UMD's network using UMD's VPN software. Instructions and a download link are available at our VPN page.
2. Once you are connected to the VPN, open the Start Menu and enter cmd into the search bar.
3. Once it finds cmd, right click on its icon and select Run as Administrator.
4. Click Yes to the prompt that appears asking for administrator access.
5. This will open the command prompt window.
6. In the Command Prompt window, type slmgr.vbs -skms kms.umd.edu and hit Enter on your keyboard.
7. After a few seconds, a dialog box will popup that says KMS server set successfully.
8. Click OK in the dialog box.
9. In the Command Prompt box, type slmgr.vbs -ato.
10. After a few seconds, you should receive a dialog box that says “Windows has been successfully activated”
11. Click OK in the dialog box.
12. Windows 7 has now been activated.

NOTE: If you are going to be not connected to UMD's network for extended periods of time (for example, if you are doing this from a home computer or are currently traveling), you will need to connect to UMD's network via VPN every 3-4 months for about 4 hours.

1. Open the Start Menu and enter cmd into the search bar.
2. Once it finds cmd, right click on its icon and select Run as Administrator.
3. Click Yes to the prompt that appears asking for administrator access.
4. This will open the command prompt window.
5. In the Command Prompt window, type slmgr.vbs -skms kms.umd.edu and hit Enter on your keyboard.
6. After a few seconds, a dialog box will popup that says KMS server set successfully.
7. Click OK in the dialog box.
8. In the Command Prompt box, type slmgr.vbs -ato.
9. After a few seconds, you should receive a dialog box that says “Windows has been successfully activated”
10. Click OK in the dialog box.
11. Windows 7 has now been activated.