kes 12.7 KES will not activate

[COPE-KES]

We have an onsite KES admin server, and have been using KES for several years. Latest KES edition 12.8.0.505 package downloaded and a distribution task created (with Agent bundle).

Setting up a new laptop - an HP ProBook 455, literally out of the factory box -and KES will not activate.  We have a 75-device licence and are currently using just 64 of the allocation, so we have not exceeded licence count.

I have followed the troublshooting tips such as https://support.kaspersky.com/kes-for-windows/12.8/troubleshooting/other/16052#block3 suggest without any luck.  System has been restarted, I uninstalled KES 12.8, reinstalled, uninstalled again, installed previous KES 12.7, but these all fail to allow activation.

Tried a KES Admin Task to upgrade the 12.7 instance to 12.8, and selected the recommended option for how to deploy the licence ("do not place license key in installation package"), which has worked previously.  Install completes happily, but still activation.

Tried manually adding the licence code directly within the KES app (activation code taken from the exported key).  The app looks like it has activated, but as soon as you click the Finish button, it immediately reverts to unlicenced.  Tried manual activation using the exported key (which is just plain text), and we are told the key file is corrupt.

 

[COPE-KES]

I found the issue.  After posting the above, I realised I could double-check what the deployment count was from the Licence itself.  That showed as 75/75, so clearly the "64 managed devices" was a bit misleading.

I had a few old laptops that had not been deleted from the admin console list - so clearly I need to be tighter on my inventory management! (My bad)