MAS vs KMSPico vs KMSAuto - Activator Comparison (2026)
Three of the most commonly discussed Windows activation tools. Here's a factual technical comparison.
Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS)
Open-source PowerShell and batch script collection that automates activation through legitimate methods.
- Method: KMS injection (local), HWID (digital license), Ohook (Office)
- Open source: Yes (GitHub)
- GUI: No (command-line)
- Office activation: Ohook method
- Reference: MAS guide
KMSPico
Closed-source activator that sets up a local KMS emulator.
- Method: KMS emulation (local server on port 1688)
- Open source: No (closed binary)
- GUI: Yes
- Common issue: Frequently repackaged with malware
- Password: Often requires password to extract (commonly "123")
- Reference: KMSPico guide
KMSAuto Net
Similar to KMSPico with scheduling system for re-activation.
- Method: KMS emulation (local server)
- GUI: Yes + scheduler
- Key feature: Scheduled task creation for automatic reactivation
- Reference: KMSAuto Net guide
Comparison
| Feature | MAS | KMSPico | KMSAuto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes | No | No |
| GUI | No (CLI) | Yes | Yes |
| Office activation | Ohook | KMS | KMS |
| Digital license | HWID | No | No |
| Antivirus detection | Low | High | High |
From a technical standpoint, MAS is the most transparent with publicly auditable source code.