Article Number: 000142241
How to Upgrade from an Evaluation Installation of Windows Server
Summary: This article is intended to help with the conversion of an evaluation version of Windows Server to a non-evaluation version. Screenshots in this article are from Windows Server 2012 R2, but the article also applies to later versions. ...
Article Content
Instructions
Evaluation versions of Windows Server are available for download from Microsoft. These versions are valid for 180 days from the time of installation. The time remaining is displayed in the bottom right corner of the desktop:
The evaluation version cannot be activated with a Windows Server product key, and attempting to do so results in an error. Instead, the evaluation version must be converted to the full version of Windows using a
First, to confirm that an evaluation version of Windows is running, run the following command from an elevated prompt:
The output resembles the following:
The highlighted portion of the screenshot shows ServerStandardEval in the Name field, indicating that the evaluation version is running. A non-evaluation version shows ServerStandard, ServerDatacenter, or ServerEssentials.
To determine which target editions are available for the conversion, run this command:
The output is similar to this:
Typically, ServerStandard and ServerDatacenter are listed, though the above screenshot only lists ServerDatacenter.
To perform the conversion, run the following command:
There are a few important points to remember about this command:
If a valid product key was supplied to the command, Windows Server should activate automatically upon booting.
The evaluation version cannot be activated with a Windows Server product key, and attempting to do so results in an error. Instead, the evaluation version must be converted to the full version of Windows using a
dism command.
First, to confirm that an evaluation version of Windows is running, run the following command from an elevated prompt:
slmgr.vbs
The output resembles the following:
The highlighted portion of the screenshot shows ServerStandardEval in the Name field, indicating that the evaluation version is running. A non-evaluation version shows ServerStandard, ServerDatacenter, or ServerEssentials.
To determine which target editions are available for the conversion, run this command:
dism /online /Get-TargetEditions
The output is similar to this:
Typically, ServerStandard and ServerDatacenter are listed, though the above screenshot only lists ServerDatacenter.
To perform the conversion, run the following command:
dism /online /Set-Edition:<edition> /ProductKey:<key> /AcceptEula
There are a few important points to remember about this command:
- <edition> must be one of the editions listed in the output of the previous command (for example, ServerStandard). Ensure that a valid license exists for the specified edition.
- <key> represents a valid 5x5 product key for the specified edition, including dashes.
- The command may appear to stop responding at 10%, but it will complete after some time. It prompts for a reboot upon completion.
If a valid product key was supplied to the command, Windows Server should activate automatically upon booting.
Additional Information
If a Windows Server license was purchased through the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program, the conversion may not work with the supplied product key. The solution to this issue can be found at Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Perpetual License Product Key Not Working to Convert EVAL Operating System Install.
Videos
Upgrading from an Evaluation Installation of Windows Server QuickTips
Duration: 03:38
Article Properties
Affected Product
Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2022, Microsoft Windows 2012 Server, Microsoft Windows 2012 Server R2
Last Published Date
18 Oct 2023
Version
5
Article Type
How To