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Windows 11 in Citrix VDI environment

Joshua Hickok 21 Reputation points
2025-11-13T17:40:01.34+00:00

We are hoping to get some clarification on what I take is a common scenario, but with no real straightforward answer that I can find. We have the following scenario:

  1. Citrix VDI environment
  2. Users all with M365 E5
  3. No existing Windows 11 licenses for the Virtual Desktops but laptops are all running Pro from the OEM and upgraded to Enterprise via their E5 entitlement

In this case, how specifically does one activate the Windows 11 Enterprise? The way I see it, we need to purchase Windows 11 Enterprise outright according to scenario three here and use KMS activation: https://quic.hkg1.meaqua.org/en-us/windows/deployment/vda-subscription-activation#scenario-3

This essentially makes our Windows 11 Enterprise entitlement useless.
Does anyone have any additional methods of activating Windows 11 Enterprise using our entitlement or do we just have to double-buy?
Thanks

Windows for business | Windows 365 Enterprise
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Answer accepted by question author
  1. Brian Huynh (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 2,255 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-11-17T01:30:51.3233333+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for reaching out.

    You do not need to purchase a full Windows 11 Pro retail or OEM license for every VM. Instead, you need a Volume License key to enable the VDI image to activate against your internal services.

    The recommended method is Subscription Activation. This process uses your existing M365 E5 user entitlement to activate the Enterprise features on the VM.

    • VDI Base Image Requirement: Your image must be built using the Windows 11 Pro Volume License (VL) edition or an existing Windows 11 Pro edition.
    • Activation Step: You must configure the VDI image to use a Generic Volume License Key (GVLK) for Windows Pro. This GVLK key is publicly available from Microsoft and is what the KMS/ADBA clients use to attempt activation. The use of this GVLK key is a technical requirement for volume activation, not a new purchase.
    • Action: Install the Windows 11 Pro GVLK key on your master image before deploying the VM. The GVLK key for Windows 11 Pro: W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX.
    • User Sign-in: The VM will attempt to activate against your internal KMS server. Once a user with an M365 E5 license signs in with their Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) credentials, the system automatically performs a step-up and activates the VM.

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