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You can freely convert between Windows Server 2025 | 2022 | 2019 | 2016 | 2012 R2 Evaluation version to Retail/Volume/OEM Licensed version. The edition remains the same during this conversion. If you are starting with an evaluation version, convert it to the retail version first, and then you can inter-convert as described. To do this, from an elevated command prompt, run:
slmgr /ipk <key>
Where <key> is the appropriate volume, retail, or OEM product or license key.
Open PowerShell/Terminal as Administrator and write and enter: slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
After inserting the license key successfully, write this command for activation: slmgr /ato
Note: You will require a brand new, genuine license key for activating your server. Ensure you have it ready. If not, you can purchase one from our store at up to 80% off the MRP. Please browse through our site to find the product you need. Thank you!
If it doesn't work and getting an error like: Error: 0xC004F069 and 0x2a 0xc004f069 or Error 1168 the specified product key could not be validated, You need a Retail product key (which you will get from us if purchased from our store) and use DISM command to upgrade Windows Server Edition from evaluation edition to Standard or Datacenter edition.
Sometimes you may need to uninstall the previous key by this command: slmgr /upk
Please be sure that your server is running Up to Date on the current version, so complete all update before the conversion!! For this issue, please check this link to be sure about your server version and the current version or use the following both command on PowerShell/Command Prompt - Run as Administrator:
DISM /online /get-currentedition
DISM /online /get-targeteditions
Type following command on command prompt or PowerShell/Windows Terminal to upgrade your Windows Server Standard or Datacenter evaluation version to Retail version.
Standard Edition: DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula
Datacenter Edition: DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula
Click Y and restart the system and it's done. Please note: This method only work with Retail License for upgrading from Windows Server Evaluation version to Retail & Licensed version. If you purchased from us and going to implement your server on the environment by our given Server OS and License, simply skip it. It's only required for whom, who already installed Windows Server Evaluation version.
Still have the issue? Please use/install the Generic Volume License Keys (GVLK) at first which you will get from this link, and take a restart of your server and then try again with your purchased Retail License which you will get from us(if purchased from us) or from another retail seller. Otherwise you can contact with Microsoft Support also for fixing the issue if you really have a valid license key.
If the server is running an evaluation version of Windows Server as Domain Controller, you can convert it to a retail version as follows:
If the server is a domain controller, you cannot convert it to a retail version. In this case, install an additional domain controller on a server that runs a retail version and remove AD DS from the domain controller that runs on the evaluation version. For more information, see https://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh994618.aspx.
Read the license terms.
From an elevated command prompt, determine the current edition name with the command DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition. Make note of the edition ID, an abbreviated form of the edition name. Then run DISM /online /Set-Edition:<edition ID> /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula, providing the edition ID and a retail product key. The server will restart twice. Example: DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula
For the evaluation version of Windows Server Standard, you can also convert to the retail version of Windows Server Datacenter in one step using this same command and the appropriate product key. For more information about Dism.exe, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=192466.
In our experience, this issue arises only when the server was installed using a Microsoft-provided Evaluation License Key. If the server was installed without any key, the activation process is simple. Just use your purchased license key, and it will activate instantly.
If you're in need of a genuine license key for your server activation and seek the lowest possible cost, please visit the following links. And For unlisted or older release product please contact us anytime.
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