KMS Activation on Windows 2016 “Vmw.exe has stopped working”

After installing a new Windows Server 2016 with the KMS role, you will try to install your KMS host key:

Then the volume activation tools will try to install the product key

 

 

And you will get the following message:

Vmw.exe has stopped working

Well, this is a fresh installation with all available updates installed. You can try to run as administrator but the application will crash.

Fix

You must forget the GUI and use the command line tool to install product keys:

cscript.exe slmgr.vbs -ipk <kms key for Windows 2016>

cscript.exe slmgr.vbs -ipk <kms key for office 2010>

cscript.exe slmgr.vbs -ipk <kms key for office 2013>

cscript.exe slmgr.vbs -ipk <kms key for office 2016>

Next, you can activate the product keys:

cscript.exe slmgr.vbs -ato

And finally, you can check all the products:

cscript.exe slmgr.vbs -dlv all

 

 

Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Twitter @PrigentNico

 

 

About Nicolas 282 Articles
I work as an IT Production Manager, based in Paris (France) with a primary focus on Microsoft technologies. I have 10 years experience in administering Windows Servers. . I am a Microsoft MVP for Cloud & Datacenter Management. I also received the PowerShell Hero 2016 award by PowerShell.0rg. And finally, I am "MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure", "MCSA: Windows Servers", "Administering & Deploying SCCM", and CheckPoint CCSA certified.