Merge pull request #10038 from ryanberg-aquent/CI-7961-pri1-request

AB#7961: New article: Troubleshooting Tools for Windows Activation Issues on Azure VMs

Author: ryanberg-aquent

support/azure/virtual-machines/windows/media/windows-activation-troubleshoot-tools/azure-portal-view.png

@@ -455,17 +455,19 @@ items:
   - name: Troubleshoot extension issues
     href: /azure/virtual-machines/extensions/troubleshoot?context=/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/windows/context/context
 
-- name: Cannot activate my Windows VM
+- name: Cannot activate Windows
   items:
-  - name: Understanding Generic Volume License Key
-    href: /windows-server/get-started/kms-client-activation-keys?context=/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/windows/context/context
+  - name: KMS endpoints - new endpoints
+    href: windows-activation-stopped-working.md
   - name: Troubleshooting
     href: troubleshoot-activation-problems.md
   - name: Frequently asked questions
     href: windows-virtual-machine-activation-faq.yml
-  - name: KMS endpoints - new endpoints
-    href: windows-activation-stopped-working.md
-  - name: Common Issues
+  - name: Troubleshooting tools
+    href: windows-activation-troubleshoot-tools.md
+  - name: Understanding Generic Volume License Key
+    href: /windows-server/get-started/kms-client-activation-keys?context=/troubleshoot/azure/virtual-machines/windows/context/context
+  - name: Common issues
     items:
     - name: Activation fails in forced tunneling scenario
       href: custom-routes-enable-kms-activation.md

support/azure/virtual-machines/windows/toc.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+---
+title: Troubleshooting Tools for Windows Activation 
+description: Provides script-based tools to help diagnose and resolve Windows activation problems on Azure virtual machines.
+author: JarrettRenshaw
+ms.author: jarrettr
+manager: dcscontentpm
+ms.date: 10/24/2025
+ms.reviewer: v-jsitser, scotro, v-ryanberg
+ms.service: azure-virtual-machines
+ms.custom: sap:Cannot activate my Windows VM, troubleshooting tools for Windows VM activation
+---
+#  Troubleshooting tools for Windows activation issues on Azure virtual machines
+
+Windows activation problems on Azure virtual machines (VMs) can occur because of configuration, certificate, or connectivity issues. Microsoft provides two script-based tools to help diagnose and resolve most activation-related problems.
+
+## Tools overview
+
+### 1. Windows activation validation
+
+**Purpose**  
+  
+Validates the activation status of your Windows VM and checks for common issues that prevent successful activation.
+
+**Key features**  
+  
+  - Confirms Windows activation state.
+  - Detects misconfigurations.
+  - Provides actionable guidance.
+
+For more information, see [Windows activation validation](https://github.com/Azure/azure-support-scripts/blob/master/RunCommand/Windows/WindowsActivationValidation/README.md).
+
+### 2. Azure Instance Metadata Service certificate check
+
+**Purpose**  
+
+Verifies the integrity and availability of certificates that are required for activation through Azure Instance Metadata Service (IMDS).
+
+**Key features**  
+
+  - Validates IMDS certificate presence and correctness.
+  - Identifies certificate-related activation failures.
+  - Suggests corrective steps.
+
+For more information, see: 
+
+- [Cause: Azure Instance Metadata Service connection issue](activation-watermark-appears.md#cause-1-azure-instance-metadata-service-connection-issue).
+- [Azure VM Attested Metadata Verification Script](https://github.com/Azure/azure-support-scripts/blob/master/RunCommand/Windows/IMDSCertCheck/README.md).
+
+## How to run these tools
+
+You can run these tools in any of the following manners.
+
+### 1. Download from GitHub and run within the VM 
+
+Download the scripts from GitHub, and then run them manually. To access the scripts, follow the resource links in the previous sections.
+
+### 2. Use Azure Run Command
+   
+- Navigate to your VM in the Azure portal: > **Operations** > **Run Command**.
+- Select the script from the list (see the following screenshot).
+
+:::image type="content" source="media/windows-activation-troubleshoot-tools/azure-portal-view.png" alt-text="Azure portal view Run Command example." lightbox="media/windows-activation-troubleshoot-tools/azure-portal-view.png":::   
+  
+> [!NOTE]
+> Alternatively, you can run these commands by using a command-line interface (CLI) tool, Windows PowerShell, or Windows on ARM.
+
+### 3. Use prepackaged Run Command scripts
+
+For more information, see [Run scripts in your Windows VM by using action Run Commands](/azure/virtual-machines/windows/run-command).
+
+## Recommended workflow
+
+1. Run **Windows Activation Validation** to verify activation status and detect common issues.
+2. If certificate-related errors are suspected, run **IMDS Certificate Check**.
+3. Apply the suggested fixes or refer to the official documentation for advanced troubleshooting.
+
+### **Additional resources**
+
+- [Additional troubleshooting guidance](/azure/virtual-machines/windows/troubleshoot-activation-problems)
+- [Virtual Machines licensing FAQ](https://azure.microsoft.com/pricing/licensing-faq/?msockid=16f3be2d0f1066e62759a8150e8867c4).
+
+[!INCLUDE [azure-help-support](~/includes/azure-help-support.md)]
+
+[!INCLUDE [Third-party contact disclaimer](~/includes/third-party-contact-disclaimer.md)]