Windows Server: Virtual Machine Fails to Activate Using SLP Product Key

Summary: A virtual machine (VM) running Windows Server cannot activate using a system-locked preinstallation (SLP) product key. This article describes SLP keys and how to determine whether one is in use. It also shows how to change a VM's product key. ...

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Symptoms

A VM running Windows Server fails to activate. The resulting error code may vary, but code 0xC004F057 is commonly seen.

Running slmgr /dlv on the affected VM produces output similar to this:

Output of the slmgr /dlv command  
Figure 1: Output of the slmgr /dlv command. The highlighted areas show that an SLP key is in use.

Cause

An SLP key can only be used to activate the Windows Server operating system (OS) on a physical Dell server. It allows the OS to be installed and activated without prompting for a product key. For this to work properly, certain data must be present in the system BIOS. This data is only present in the BIOS of a physical server, so an SLP key cannot activate the OS on a VM.

Resolution

The VM's product key must be changed for activation to succeed. Once the correct product key has been determined, run the following commands to apply it.
  1. Remove the existing product key:
slmgr /upk
 
  1. Apply the correct product key (use the actual key in place of the Xs):
slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
 
  1. Optionally, activate the OS:
slmgr /ato
This last command is often unnecessary; the OS typically activates automatically a few seconds after the correct product key is entered.

Affected Products

Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Microsoft Windows Server 2019, Microsoft Windows Server 2022, Microsoft Windows 2012 Server, Microsoft Windows 2012 Server R2
Article Properties
Article Number: 000227719
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 28 Jan 2025
Version:  2
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