Microsoft calls this license conversion. In some releases of Windows Server, you can also freely convert among OEM, volume-licensed, and retail versions with the same command and the appropriate key. Cases in which you run an evaluation and then need to convert it to retail are numerous.

Yes, this is really useful for environments created for a proof-of-concept POC purpose that then decide to go to production. In such cases, it’s a great time-saver because you don’t have to start from scratch. Some features of Windows Server need the Datacenter edition instead of the Standard edition installed. You should know you can also convert the Standard to the Datacenter edition without reinstalling, and this post will show you how.

The possibility of converting a Microsoft OS isn’t new, but previously, back in the day, this was not really possible. Although in this post we’ll focus only on converting licenses or editions, you might be looking also for upgrade options.

There’s support for some use cases but not others. If you think that upgrading between server versions is easy, it might be in some situations. You should not underestimate it. But you need to be aware of some considerations first. If you have installed Windows Server StandardEvaluation or DatacenterEvaluation, you have essentially only days to test any features of the new server platform version.

This might be enough for some but not for others. During this period, all features of Windows Server are fully working and available. However, after the trial period is over, the system starts to ask for activation and powers down every hour. This is quite annoying. To upgrade to the edition you want, you can run a PowerShell command to perform the actual edition upgrade.

You’ll need, however, a valid serial number to do this. The server will run through the image-conversion process and then restart twice. After the server reboots, you’ll need to reactivate it and enter the key again. This is basically the same process as above. The main difference is the system we’re on is on Standard already, not Eval. We’ll be using PowerShell, even if apparently other ways exist.

From an elevated command prompt, use this command:. Then simply run this command, which is the same as the one to go from Eval Standard to Datacenter:. You must enter a valid product key to continue with the upgrade process. It’ll ask you to reboot. It’s worth noting that if you’ve used an evaluation edition to build a DC for your POC, you can’t change the edition.

You can also use this command to change your edition between other types, such as Datacenter or Essentials. Subscribe to 4sysops newsletter! By simply running a few PowerShell commands, you can check the currently installed edition, see which version you can upgrade to, and also run the actual upgrade PowerShell command. Want to write for 4sysops? We are looking for new authors. To disable Windows search highlights in corporate environment makes sense because this new Windows feature only distract users Recently, it appears that Chrome and Edge notifications are being hijacked into pushing people onto fake antivirus websites, such While the second generation of the Linux subsystem has been on board with Windows 10 since version 20H1, Windows Microsoft Deployment Toolkit MDT has long been a popular free deployment solution, allowing organizations to roll out image-based installations Search highlights display a colorful icon in the Windows 10 search bar.

If you hover the mouse over the A comment on the previous post about deploying Chrome extensions posed the question of whether PowerShell could be used The widgets in Windows 11 are essentially the successors of News and interests, known from Windows Like these, At the same time, Microsoft’s operating systems already include a number of fonts.

However, if users want to install their own fonts on In this article, you will learn how to use PsExec, a great command line utility from Microsoft’s Sysinternals PsTools Many businesses use Microsoft Intune as part of Endpoint Manager for remote client provisioning, configuration, and management.

However, until Before creating a “golden” image of Windows 10 for deployment purposes, most organizations tweak many of the default configuration Microsoft offers several options if you want to remove installed programs by using the command line or a script Microsoft Power Automate for The new remote help tool for Intune and Microsoft Endpoint Manager allows you to connect to user devices using For a long time, roaming profiles and folder redirection were the standard means under Windows for making user files The new Windows Update for Business deployment service falls in the portfolio of services offered in the Microsoft Windows Compared to Windows 10, Windows 11 has very stringent install and upgrade requirements that must be met.

To help For what its worth: I was able to accomplish this by copying to the ISO for SE to the Eval desktop, opening it explorer mounts it as a drive and run setup… took only a few minutes to upgrade and then I was able to put the paid for key into the activation wizard and be on my way. Activation fails and generates an error message: The product key entered does not work. If I run the command it tells me “No Endpoint available in the endpoint mapping”. Windows Server Essential is not a Domain Controller, there are no Antivirus and the only firewall is the Defender that I have also tried to disable.

Hi, I installed Windows Server on my computer, and when I installed it, it asked me which Windows to select. I also selected Windows Server Dasta Center, and after installing Windows on my computer, it asks me I need the administrator password. I do not know, but I do not know what the password. Please help me, thank you. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting. Receive new post notifications.

Please ask IT administration questions in the forums. Any other messages are welcome. Receive news updates via email from this site. Toggle navigation. You might be looking into the possibility to convert the Windows Server Evaluation edition to the retail edition. We’ll look at how to install a license key to transform Windows Server from the Evaluation version to the retail one.

Author Recent Posts. Vladan Seget. He has been working for over 20 years as a system engineer. Latest posts by Vladan Seget see all. This edition cannot be upgraded. Get the current edition. Get target editions. Get the current edition Standard. Related Articles. Redirect user profile folders documents, pictures, etc. Sunil 2 years ago. This assumes you are using the desktop version of course. Hi, i can’t convert my windows server essential evalutaion to OEM license.

What can I do to activate the license? Chris Turpin 1 year ago. Andrea Bufalo 9 months ago. Thank you so much! Lindsay Mathieson 6 months ago. Worked perfectly, thankyou! Ramtin 3 months ago. Leave a reply Click here to cancel the reply Your email address will not be published. Subscribe to newsletter.

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