I installed a new server in my LAB using evaluation iso and now I would like to convert this server to the full version. This article will provide step-by-step guide for this easy procedure.
In order to complete this instruction you must have the following:
- Windows Server installed using server evaluation iso.
- Valid and legal Windows Server key
The upgrade steps are the following
- Login to the server console you want to convert to the full retail version.
- Verify that this server is running an evaluation version. To do this, do either of the following:
- Easy – Hit the Windows Key and type in System and select Settings from search or…
- GUI – Graphical User Interface – From the Start screen, open Control Panel. Open System and Security, and then System. View Windows activation status in the Windows activation area of the System page. Click View details in Windows activation for more information about your Windows activation status.
- CUI – Character User Interface – From an elevated command prompt, run slmgr.vbs /dlv; evaluation versions will include “EVAL” in the output.
Figure 1
- From an elevated command prompt do the following:
- Determine the current edition name with the command DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition.
Figure 2
- Determine the possible Target edition name with the command DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions.
Figure 3
- Then run DISM /online /Set-Edition:<edition ID> /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula, where the edition ID is the edition you wnat to your server convert to and a retail product key is your valid server key. The server will restart twice.
Figure 4
Figure 5
- Verify the current server edition – use preferred method from step 1.
Figure 6
I hope you will find this post useful. Feel free to add your comments and rate this article.
[yasr_visitor_votes size=”medium”] - From an elevated command prompt do the following:
excellent tutorial! Well written with nice screenshots! Thanks!
Thanks for the clear guide Andrzej!!
thank a lot of for blog.
thank you. had to setup my sql cluster lab from time to time, no need anymore
Fantastic article – thank you for taking the time and for your attention to detail. Much appreciated!
Can you use a VLK instead of a Retail key?
Nice article. Thanks for sharing.
thank you very much for this tutorial.
Thanks, worked like a charm.
super
Good tutorial…however, i continue see the same message: “Windows is not Activated” (From System Properties)
¿Why?
Thanks
Did you solved you problem ?
Please let me know if this is still the case
Andrzej
Thanks so much. I’m a weird use case here, but I needed to do this for development purposes, and this saved me a lot of hassle.
Hi,
We have the same issue, after follow the instruccions the server restart twice (updating and cleaning up process) and the versión was changed from 2012 r2 standard eval to 2012 r2 standard but not activated, after all we put the product key for this version and it is works ..!!
Thanks you very much
Great blog and easy to follow. Thank you!!
Needed to put \acceptEula:yes at the end to make it work. Thanks for the first part.
Awesome, thank you!
Hi is this possible even if we are running AD.DNS,DHCP etc.. ?
Hello, I need a little help…
purchased the license for MS Windows Server 2016 DataCenter from Dell….I got the little sticker with the license BUT there is no Product Key…it says NoKey….How can I convert the eval version to the retail version without the Product Key?
That worked! Thank you!
great help !!!thanks
Worked great, even with VLK
This Worked. Thank You!
Thank you!! Great work!