What Is a MAK Volume License? Multiple Activation Keys Explained

What is a MAK license? A MAK Volume License is one Multiple Activation Key for businesses: one key activates every device you order. Below we explain how a MAK works, how it differs from a RETAIL License and from KMS, what you get when you buy one at Licendeals and what to check before you buy, with screenshots from our own store and from our Office 2024 MAK activation guide.

IMPORTANT: each activation of a MAK can be used only once. Count your devices before you buy, and use all your activations within 30 days of revealing the key.

1. The short answer

MAK stands for Multiple Activation Key. Microsoft describes it in the simplest terms: "a MAK acts like a retail key, except that a MAK is valid for activating multiple computers." Each MAK can be used a specific number of times.

So instead of buying one key per computer, a business buys one key with the number of activations it needs, and enters that same key on each computer.

2. How a MAK works

• One key, many devices. You enter the same key on every device you want to activate.
• One activation per device. Each device uses one of the activations of the key, up to the number you order.
• You choose the number. On our product pages the number of activations is shown as "Users". This is the selector on the Windows 11 Professional MAK page:

Activating is the same as with any product key. In Windows, go to Settings, System, Activation, Change product key. In Office, open any app, go to File, Account, Change Product Key, and enter the MAK. This is Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 on our test computer, from our activation guide:

And the result, a few seconds later:

3. MAK vs RETAIL License vs KMS

• MAK Volume License: one key activates every device you order. Each device activates once, with the same key.
• RETAIL License: one key activates the software once, online, right inside the app. It is the usual choice for one computer.
• KMS (Key Management Service): according to Microsoft, KMS lets IT pros complete activations on their local network, so each computer doesn't need to connect to Microsoft. It needs a KMS host in your network and a minimum number of computers, which Microsoft calls activation thresholds. We don't sell KMS keys.

Microsoft's own advice for small sites: if the site has only a few computers and no connection to an existing KMS host, MAK activation is the best option. That is why a MAK fits most small and medium businesses that don't run their own activation server.

4. What you get from Licendeals

• What you get: one Multiple Activation Key (MAK) for the number of activations you choose on the product page (shown there as "users").
• How it activates: with the same key on every device. We recommend having an IT professional activate it.
• Good to know: we only sell the Multiple Activation Key. It doesn't include access to Microsoft's Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).

Right after your payment is confirmed, we email you a secure link to your key, and your invoice comes with the order.

5. The 30-day window and reinstalling

These are the rules of every MAK Volume License at Licendeals, as they appear on our license types page:

• 30 days to use it: MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours. From the moment you reveal the key, you have 30 days to use all its activations or, if it doesn't work, to tell us. If the key doesn't work, tell us within those 30 days and we will replace it right away.
• Reinstalling or moving it: each activation can be used only once. If you uninstall or reinstall the software or the operating system (including a reset or a format), or change hardware such as the hard drive, the processor or the motherboard, activating again uses another of the activations you bought, and our warranty doesn't cover it.
• Devices: one activation per device, up to the number you order. Choose the number carefully before you buy.

Our advice: plan the rollout before you reveal the key, so every computer is ready to be activated within the 30 days.

6. Which of our products are MAK Volume Licenses

We sell six MAK Volume Licenses, all in our Volume Licenses / MAK category:

• Windows 11 Professional MAK
• Windows 10 Professional MAK
• Office 2024 Professional Plus MAK
• Office 2021 Professional Plus MAK
• Office 2021 Standard MAK
• Office 2019 Professional Plus MAK

Buying for a larger team? Request a quote and our team will prepare it for you.

7. Frequently asked questions