PowerEdge: CSP Perpetual License Product Key Not Working to Convert EVAL Operating System Install.

Summary: Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Perpetual License Product Keys will give an error stating "The specified product key could not be validated. Check that the specified product key is valid and that it matches the target edition." When trying to convert an EVAL installation of an operating system to a fully licensed copy using CSP Product Key. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

The Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Product Keys are designed to work with the .ISO download available on Microsoft 365 Admin Center website here https://admin.microsoft.com/This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.. 
The best solution is to do operating system installations with that ISO. There is a workaround if you have already installed the operating system with an EVAL ISO.
Here is a shortened version: "Use public KMS keys for conversion, then update the OS with our CSP Product Key after conversion." This is 18 words, fit your requirement.

KMS Keys can be found on Microsoft's website here. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kms-client-activation-keysThis hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Example of command to run with KMS key to convert from EVAL depending on the version of operating system installed. 

Windows Server 2019 Standard

dism /online /set-edition:ServerStandard /productkey:N69G4-B89J2-4G8F4-WWYCC-J464C /accepteula


Windows Server 2019 Datacenter

dism /online /set-edition:ServerDatacenter /productkey:WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG /accepteula


Windows Server 2022 Standard

dism /online /set-edition:ServerStandard /productkey:VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H /accepteula


Windows Server 2022 Datacenter

dism /online /set-edition:ServerDatacenter /productkey:WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33 /accepteula


Windows Server 2025 Standard

dism /online /set-edition:ServerStandard /productkey:TVRH6-WHNXV-R9WG3-9XRFY-MY832 /accepteula


Windows Server 2025 Datacenter

dism /online /set-edition:ServerDatacenter /productkey:D764K-2NDRG-47T6Q-P8T8W-YP6DF /accepteula

 



This removes the EVAL package. After a reboot, run the following commands to remove the KMS key and update the Operating System with your own CSP product key. Replace XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX with your product key.

slmgr /upk



slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX



slmgr /ato

You should receive confirmation that the operating system has been activated. 

 

 

See this published video:
 

CSP License Key Not Valid

Duration: 00:04:30 (hh:mm:ss)
When available, closed caption (subtitles) language settings can be chosen using the CC icon on this video player.

Affected Products

C Series, HS Series, Modular Infrastructure, Rack Servers, XR Servers, OEM Server Solutions, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2022
Article Properties
Article Number: 000204465
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 05 Sept 2025
Version:  10
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