slmgr-py: Windows Software Licensing Management Tool (Python)

A complete Python conversion of Microsoft's slmgr.vbs script for managing Windows licensing and activation. This tool provides command-line management of Windows Software Protection Platform (SPP) with full feature parity to the original VBScript version.

Features

• Full Feature Parity: All 30+ commands from the original slmgr.vbs
• License Management: Install, uninstall, display, and activate Windows product keys
• KMS Support: Complete Key Management Service client and server configuration
• Token-based Activation: Manage and force token-based activation
• Active Directory Activation: Configure and manage AD-based activation
• Remote Execution: Manage licensing on remote computers
• AVMA Support: Automatic VM Activation for virtualized environments

Requirements

• Python: 3.10 or higher
• Operating System: Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016+
• Python Packages:
  • pywin32
  • wmi
• Permissions: Administrator/elevated privileges required for most operations

Installation

From Source

1. Clone this repository:

git clone https://github.com/tboy1337/slmgr-py.git
cd slmgr-py

2. Install required packages:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

Basic Syntax

python slmgr.py [MachineName [User Password]] [Option]

• MachineName: Name of remote machine (default is local machine)
• User: Account with required privilege on remote machine
• Password: Password for the account

Common Commands

Display License Information

# Display current license
python slmgr.py /dli

# Display detailed license information
python slmgr.py /dlv

# Display all licenses
python slmgr.py /dli all

Product Key Management

# Install product key
python slmgr.py /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

# Uninstall current product key
python slmgr.py /upk

# Clear product key from registry
python slmgr.py /cpky

Activation

# Activate Windows online
python slmgr.py /ato

# Get Installation ID for phone activation
python slmgr.py /dti

# Activate with Confirmation ID (phone activation)
python slmgr.py /atp <Confirmation-ID>

# Check activation expiration
python slmgr.py /xpr

KMS Client Configuration

# Set KMS server
python slmgr.py /skms kms.example.com:1688

# Clear KMS server
python slmgr.py /ckms

# Set KMS DNS lookup domain
python slmgr.py /skms-domain example.com

# Enable/disable KMS host caching
python slmgr.py /skhc  # Enable
python slmgr.py /ckhc  # Disable

KMS Server Configuration

# Set KMS listening port
python slmgr.py /sprt 1688

# Set activation/renewal intervals
python slmgr.py /sai 120  # 120 minutes
python slmgr.py /sri 10080  # 7 days

# Enable/disable DNS publishing
python slmgr.py /sdns  # Enable
python slmgr.py /cdns  # Disable

# Set KMS priority
python slmgr.py /spri  # Normal
python slmgr.py /cpri  # Low

# Set activation type
python slmgr.py /act-type 2  # 0=All, 1=AD, 2=KMS, 3=Token

Token-based Activation

# List installed issuance licenses
python slmgr.py /lil

# Remove issuance license
python slmgr.py /ril <ILID> <ILvID>

# List TKA certificates
python slmgr.py /ltc

# Force token activation
python slmgr.py /fta <Thumbprint> [PIN]

Active Directory Activation

# Activate AD forest online
python slmgr.py /ad-activation-online <Product-Key> [AO-Name]

# Get AD Installation ID
python slmgr.py /ad-activation-get-iid <Product-Key>

# Activate AD forest with CID
python slmgr.py /ad-activation-apply-cid <Product-Key> <CID> [AO-Name]

# List activation objects
python slmgr.py /ao-list

# Delete activation object
python slmgr.py /del-ao <AO-DN>

License File Management

# Install license file
python slmgr.py /ilc license.xrm-ms

# Reinstall all system licenses
python slmgr.py /rilc

Rearm Operations

# Rearm Windows (reset grace period)
python slmgr.py /rearm

# Rearm specific application
python slmgr.py /rearm-app <Application-ID>

# Rearm specific SKU
python slmgr.py /rearm-sku <Activation-ID>

Remote Execution

Execute commands on remote computers:

# Local authentication
python slmgr.py COMPUTER /dli

# With credentials
python slmgr.py COMPUTER username password /dli

Note: Some commands (AD activation, token activation) do not support remote execution.

Global Options

Option	Parameters	Description
/ipk	<Product Key>	Install product key
/ato	[Activation ID]	Activate Windows
/dli	[Activation ID|All]	Display license information
/dlv	[Activation ID|All]	Display detailed license information
/xpr	[Activation ID]	Display expiration date

Advanced Options

Option	Parameters	Description
/cpky	None	Clear product key from registry
/ilc	<License file>	Install license file
/rilc	None	Reinstall system license files
/rearm	None	Reset licensing status
/rearm-app	<Application ID>	Reset app licensing status
/rearm-sku	<Activation ID>	Reset SKU licensing status
/upk	[Activation ID]	Uninstall product key
/dti	[Activation ID]	Display Installation ID
/atp	<Confirmation ID> [Activation ID]	Phone activation

Migration from VBScript

This Python version maintains command-line compatibility with the original slmgr.vbs:

# VBScript version
cscript slmgr.vbs /dli

# Python version - same syntax
python slmgr.py /dli

Key Differences

1. Syntax: Use python slmgr.py instead of cscript slmgr.vbs
2. Performance: Generally faster execution due to Python's performance
3. Error Messages: Enhanced error reporting with Python stack traces
4. Type Safety: Full type annotations for better code reliability
5. Cross-platform Readability: Python code is more maintainable

Common Use Cases

Scenario 1: Enterprise KMS Deployment

# Configure client to use KMS server
python slmgr.py /skms kms.corp.local:1688

# Activate against KMS
python slmgr.py /ato

# Verify activation
python slmgr.py /dli

Scenario 2: Volume License Activation

# Install MAK key
python slmgr.py /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

# Activate online
python slmgr.py /ato

# Check remaining activations (if MAK)
python slmgr.py /dlv

Scenario 3: Offline Activation

# Get Installation ID
python slmgr.py /dti

# (Call Microsoft activation center with IID, receive Confirmation ID)

# Apply Confirmation ID
python slmgr.py /atp CONFIRMATION-ID

Scenario 4: License Troubleshooting

# Display detailed license info
python slmgr.py /dlv

# Check expiration
python slmgr.py /xpr

# Reinstall licenses if corrupted
python slmgr.py /rilc

# Rearm if in grace period
python slmgr.py /rearm

Security Considerations

• Elevated Privileges: Most operations require administrator rights
• Product Keys: Handle product keys securely, never log or display
• Remote Access: Use secure credentials for remote operations
• Registry Access: Be cautious with /cpky as it permanently removes keys
• Network: KMS traffic uses port 1688 (TCP)

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Access denied" errors

• Run PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator
• Ensure user has appropriate permissions

"Cannot connect to WMI" errors

• Check Windows Management Instrumentation service is running
• Verify firewall allows WMI traffic for remote operations

"Product not found" errors

• Ensure Windows is properly licensed
• Check that a product key is installed (/dli)

KMS activation fails

• Verify KMS server is reachable (ping kms-server)
• Check port 1688 is not blocked
• Ensure client count meets threshold (25 for client OS, 5 for server)

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please:

1. Maintain Python 3.10+ compatibility
2. Follow existing code style (Black, isort)
3. Add type hints for all functions
4. Include tests for new features
5. Update documentation

References

• Microsoft Volume Activation
• Windows Software Protection Platform
• KMS Activation