COMMAND EVERYTHING.

Invoke-ADLicense

Performs Active Directory-based licensing operations.

PowerShell · Risk: High · Documentation Verified

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Microsoft OSLicense reference: Performs Active Directory-based licensing operations. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.

Invoke-ADLicense [-ActivateOnline] [-ProductKey <String>] [-ConfirmationID <String>]
 [-ActivationObjectName <String>] [-AsJob] [<CommonParameters>]

Copied 0 times

Required permissions

Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Invoke-ADLicense. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.

Supported environments

Windows / OSLicense · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply

Parameters

-ActivateForest: Requests forest activation by depositing an offline activation confirmation through the software licensing service. The cmdlet validates ProductKey and ConfirmationID at runtime and requires values for both parameters.
-ActivateOnline: Requests online Active Directory-based activation through the software licensing service. The cmdlet validates ProductKey at runtime and requires a value for online activation.
-ActivationObjectName: Specifies the name of the activation object for online or forest activation. When you omit this parameter, the cmdlet passes an empty string to the corresponding software licensing service method.
-AsJob: Runs the command as a background job. The implicit-remoting wrapper that exposes this command adds this parameter; the Invoke-ADLicense function in the OSLicense module doesn't declare it. Use Receive-Job to retrieve the operation result.
-ConfirmationID: Specifies the offline activation confirmation ID. The function declares this parameter for both activation parameter sets but uses it only with ActivateForest. It validates the value at runtime and requires it for forest activation. The ActivateOnline operation ignores this value.
-DeleteActivationObjects: Specifies an activation object to delete. Enter a distinguished name that starts with CN=, or enter the relative name without the CN= prefix for an object in the CN=Activation Objects,CN=Microsoft SPP container. The cmdlet uses Remove-ADObject when the ActiveDirectory module is available. Otherwise, it uses Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI) to delete the object tree.
-ProductKey: Specifies the product key for online or forest activation. The cmdlet validates this value at runtime and requires it for either activation operation. A successful activation result includes this value in its ProductKey property. Protect command output that contains a product key.

Prerequisites

Windows with the OSLicense module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.

Security considerations

This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.

Examples

Example 1: Deposit a fictitious offline activation confirmation

Invoke-ADLicense @activationParameters

> [!CAUTION] > This example uses a fictitious product key, confirmation ID, and activation object name. The > command changes Active Directory-based activation state. After you verify the intended licensing > operation, replace the values only in an authorized test environment. This example requests forest activation by depositing a fictitious offline activation confirmation. It doesn't represent an actual activation or include command output. Source: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; transcript prompt/output removed. This example was not executed.

Sources

https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-powershell-docs/blob/b7645dd8c687139b28e845119da30ec670526507/docset/winserver2025-ps/OSLicense/Invoke-ADLicense.md

https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/oslicense/invoke-adlicense?view=windowsserver2025-ps

Personal collections

Explain or customize this command with AI

Related commands