Windows Server 2008 or Vista Activation Fails When Configure Third Party Firewall to Use HTTPS Authentication to Access Internet

Windows Product Activation (WPA) process fails when users attempt to activate Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista when the network configuration has a non-Microsoft firewall that is set to use HTTPS authentication to enable access to the Internet.

To work around the issue, add the IP address or the DNS name of the non-Microsoft firewall to the Trusted Sites list in Internet Options. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Click Start, type Internet Options in the Start Search text box, and then click Internet Options.
2. Click the Security tab.
3. Click Trusted Sites.
4. Click Sites.
5. Under Add this Web site to the zone, type the IP address or the DNS name of the non-Microsoft firewall.
6. Click Add, and then click Close.
7. Restart Windows Internet Explorer. If you are prompted, accept the warning message about the firewall certificate.

After Windows Internet Explorer connects to the Internet, Windows activation can complete and the system will activate successfully.

Source: KB951011