Installing Windows 10 Enterprise with an M365 E3 subscription

Michael Holley 96 Reputation points
2021-03-02T18:29:19.99+00:00

I attempted to upgrade my Windows 10 Pro machine to Windows 10 Enterprise as I believe it is included in our E3 subscription. I used the instructions here; specifically I applied the command cscript.exe c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /ipk NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43.

I am greeted with the following error:
73484-activation-error.png

My understanding is that I shouldn't need a KMS setup; the license is included with our E3 subscription and should authenticate since it is AzureAD joined. I went hunting for a location to enable/activate Windows 10 Enterprise but do not see that option.
After further looking at the instructions, I note that the script is useful only for instances with a KMS deployed. We only have AzureAD with the M365. My understanding is that after auth and joining the AzureAD, our PCs should automatically upgrade to the Enterprise edition. No such luck.

Some assistance, please? Thanks!

73467-image.png

73448-image.png

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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  1. Teemo Tang 11,326 Reputation points
    2021-03-03T02:15:08.737+00:00

    Automatic, non-KMS activation requires Windows 10, version 1803 or later, on a device with a firmware-embedded activation key. Most OEM-provided devices designed to run Windows 8 or later will have a firmware-embedded key.
    Check this Microsoft document for detailed information
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/deploy-enterprise-licenses
    This article give us a good demo
    https://cloudaffinity.co.uk/2020/11/21/understanding-microsoft-subscription-activation-part-2/

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  2. Michael Holley 96 Reputation points
    2021-03-03T23:11:14.707+00:00

    I have confirmed the device has a firmware-embedded activation key. It is currently running Windows 10 Pro, activated with a digital license.

    We added MicroSoft M365 E5 licenses to our account today and I have assigned the license to myself.

    The help pages I have seen point to a separate Windows 10 Enterprise license being present in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, but I do not see such a license...just the M365 E5.

    Computer is AzureAD domain joined. Most of the documentation I have seen says it should "automatically" push to the updated license but I have not seen the update happen, even after a few reboots. I punched down into the AzureAD portal to view the license as well. I have 64 of 64 services activated, and Windows 10 Enterprise is turned to On.

    Thanks, and let me know if there is an additional step that must be done if the computer was originally joined with an O365 E3 license.

    Thanks!

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  3. Teemo Tang 11,326 Reputation points
    2021-03-04T07:32:43.877+00:00

    Sorry, due to limited condition, we can reproduce your scenario for test, please connect your Microsoft M365 E5 partner or busines support for help, they can analyze your scenario then give you suggestions.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/contact-support-for-business-products?view=o365-worldwide

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  4. Michael Holley 96 Reputation points
    2021-03-09T15:43:13.867+00:00

    I have opened a ticket with Microsoft Support, as we purchased direct. They have asked for some log files and we're working through the issue. If you don't mind, let's keep this open so I can post solution for the others that experience this problem.


  5. nigeld27 1 Reputation point
    2022-10-12T21:13:14.88+00:00

    I have a similar problem, i.e. We bought M365 E3 licences but have no key, so I can't figure out how to activate Windows 10 Enterprise.

    I and tried Microsoft support and they are coming up with all kinds of excuses. I suspect they do not know the answer.

    Can you tell me if/how they helped you so that I can ask for the same support, please?