From Hyper-V 2019 – Automatic virtual machine activation steps

What is AVMA?

AVMA (Automatic Virtual Machine Activation) lets you activate virtual machines running on a licensed virtualization host without having to deal with each individual virtual machine. The process takes place during the startup process of the virtual machine.

What are the requirements for AVMA?

Datacenter Edition of Windows Server 2012R2, 2016 or 2019 as the management operating system.
Hyper-V Role Enabled.

What can you achieve with AVMA?

Activate virtual machines in remote locations. The supported OS level of host and virtual machines is Server 2012R2 and onwards.
Activate virtual machines with or without an internet connection.
Track virtual machine usage and licenses from the virtualization server, without requiring any access rights on the virtualized systems.
Use it with SPLA to transparently activate tenants virtual machines.

AVMA in Windows Server 2019

Can activate virtual machines running Server 2012R2, 2016 and 2019 or version 1809.
Essentials, Standard or Datacenter Edition.
Desktop Experience and Server Core Installation Options.

Implementing AVMA

Deploy a virtual machine and install a supported windows server OS (2012R2, 2016, 2019 or version 1809).
Install the AVMA key in the virtual machine using GUI or by running the following command from an elevated command prompt.