KMS DNS Key _VLMCS

Question

Hi,

Created an Server 2019 and made a DC. Was given the wrong key which made the server an KMS server.

I've demoted the DC and ran slmgr to update the server with the correct key (all worked OK) BUT the DNS still has the _VLMCS key pointing to the server.

I cant delete the key, everytime I delete the key and refresh it comes back.

Tried:
adding regkeys to disable it
running slmgr commands

But still no luck...any ideas?

Answer 1

@David Thorne
Hi,
You could follow the following steps:

1. Identify the activation ID by running this cmd:
   Slmgr/dlv
2. Uninstall the KMS host key first by running CMD:
   Slmgr/upk < activation ID>
3. Then, install the default kms key by running the following command:
   slmgr /ipk <KMS Client Setup Key>
   The default KMS client setup keys can be found here:
   https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys
4. Delete the record from the DNS:
   Open DNS console:
   Expand _tcp node under the domain.com. There will be a record _VLMCS. Delete this record.
5. The KMS server is uninstalled.

Hope above information can help you.

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Answer 2

Hi, tried this but the DNS _VLMCS is still there.

thanks

Answer 3

Hi, tried that also.

Sorry