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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 2019 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.
Supported and unsupported cases
There are situations when an upgrade won't work. Let's have a look.
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.
Here are a couple of known facts about upgrading from a previous release of Windows Server (WS 2012 or WS 2016):
- There's no support for upgrading from one language to another. You'll have to upgrade to the same language. You can then change the language UI only.
- If you have a domain controller (DC), you'll need to run a Forestprep and Domainprep prior to the upgrade. You should follow the usual Microsoft checklist concerning DCs before the upgrade.
- There's no support for converting the Core edition to Server with the UI, even though some sources have been saying Microsoft will finally implement this in WS 2019. They have not.
- You can't downgrade from Standard back to Eval. There's no support for upgrading from a previous Windows Server installation to an evaluation copy. You can and should install evaluation versions as clean installs.
- You can convert the evaluation version of Windows Server 2019 Standard to either Windows Server 2019 Standard (retail) or Datacenter (retail).
Upgrade Windows Server 2019 Evaluation to Full
If you have installed Windows Server 2019 StandardEvaluation or DatacenterEvaluation, you have essentially only 180 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 2019 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.
The Windows License expiration notice displays on regular basis.
This edition cannot be upgraded
First, check the version that's running with this command:
DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition
You'll see a message about the edition you currently have.
Get the current edition
Now we can get the list of editions you can convert your current Eval edition to:
DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions
And you should get this output:
Get target editions
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.
Run this command:
DISM /online /Set-Edition: /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
So to upgrade from Eval to Standard, use this command:
DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula
From Eval to Datacenter, use this command:
DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula
You'll get a prompt to reboot the server during which the server will change its edition.
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.
How to convert the Standard edition to Datacenter
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:
DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition
You'll see a message about the edition you currently have.
Get the current edition Standard
Then simply run this command, which is the same as the one to go from Eval Standard to Datacenter:
DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula
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'll either need to build a new DC, demote the evaluation edition DC, or convert Eval to Standard (or Datacenter) and then promote it again for a DC.
You can also use this command to change your edition between other types, such as Datacenter or Essentials.
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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.
Hello Vladan,
Id say you can still use the KMS keys for upgrade/edition change the environment uses KMS activation.
Hi vladan,
You didn't mention but I think you can also extend the trial period of server o/s using the rearm switch of slmgr .
Patrick Gruenauer has a good write up on his site:
https://sid-500.com/2017/08/08/windows-server-2016-evaluation-how-to-extend-the-trial-period/
Mike, absolutely. Rearm is another option. Thanks for the mention.
Sadly, Eval Standard (ServerStandardEvalCor) to ServerStandardCor doesn't seem to work as well… thank you for reimplement this bug from 2016 Microsoft… you lazy developers!
Hi Daniel,
There are some patches that block conversion from ServerStandardCoreEval to ServerStandardCore. I don't remember which ones, but after uninstall some updates I converted to ServerStandardCore and activate W2016.
Having the same issue. Did you ever get this corrected? If so how?
V helpful blog Vladan, thanks, merci, hvala.
Hi Vladan,
Thank you so much for the helpful article. Question, the product key has to be retail, or can we use an OEM key?
Thanks.
I'd say that OEM is attached to the hardware you're installing. So if you reinstalling to the hardware you've bought the WS with, you'll be fine. Perhaps a phone call to Microsoft is necessary (for activation) as it was the case back in the days with XP?
This does not work for MAK keys unfortunately.
Will MS give you a VL Key if all you have is a MAK key and you're trying to upgrade from ServerStandardEval to ServerStandard?
Found the answer, use a Microsoft global KMS key from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys
Then convert back to MAK key.
DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:N69G4-B89J2-4G8F4-WWYCC-J464C /AcceptEula
Reboot
slmgr.vbs /ipk <your product key>
slmgr.vbs /ato
This simple command worked for me. It hung out on 10% for quite a while then finished itself up. Rebooted. windows still not activated. Was then finally able to successfully enter VLSC code
Nice one, Miguel!
I found this also, looks like the same thing (but unofficial)
https://github.com/SystemRage/py-kms/wiki/Windows-GVLK-Keys
Thank you Miguel!
Microsoft told me it cant be done, i have to reinstall OS with different ISO. what a bunch……
thanks again!
Where did you get the ISO? I'm having the same issue converting StandardEvalCor to StandardCor.
Agreed, George.
A bunch of….
Thanks for the excellent How-To notes Vladan.. updated 3 servers from Eval to Standard .. very easy.. I was struggling for hours until I saw your notes..
So if I want to do an in-place upgrade from 2012R2 to 2019, how do I download a copy of 2019 that does that? When I buy the 2019 license 16core, will that include the software or a link to download it?
Good question, simply download an eval from Microsoft, and then apply the license number you've got when you bought the product.
Thanks for the reply. I'm reading of folks unable to do the in-place upgrade. And I've seen multiple examples of that, where they tried to do it, and it did not give them the option. Since I'm on, effectively, a trial copy of 2012R2, I think I fall into that category, where it will not allow me to upgrade from eval to eval.
The quote I get on one response was: You cannot in-place upgrade to a higher version of windows in any of these scenarios from licensed to evaluation, evaluation to licensed, evaluation to evaluation. That makes a kind of sense.
Again, thanks for the response. Time to reboot my mind and take a different approach.
After sever wasted hours, I found this post. Your are the greatest!
Has anyone on this thread actually managed to convert ServerStandardEvalCor to ServerStandardCor? I downloaded a fresh ISO from MS yesterday and it's as Daniel said – that old bug is back.
I can convert a DC eval core but not standard. In fact it doesn't even show up as candidate only DC core.
Is it possible to run a windows 2019 server eval and then register it with VLSC MAK License?
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys Just follow the directions from the article.
Hi, I have installed windows 2019 server essentials (trial 180 days). Before trial expiration can I convert it to 2019 essentials retail edition or only to 2019 standard edition?
Thanks for reply.
This work for me after hours of no success. Thanks
Hi guys
We installed a licenced version of Windows Standard Server 2019 on a server.
We downloaded an evaluation version for testing a VM and it is now showing as a Datacenter Evaluation version.
We want to convert this VM installation to Windows Standard Server 2019?
Cheers
Charlton
Miguel,
Thank you for your post.
I finally got my eval server activated with MAK product key.
Miguel, Your post saved me. Thanks a million!
Anyone tested this with essential edition 2019 ??
Just wanted to say: Thank you Miquel.
MS told me also to re-install the os (Multi-host Azure-stack solution that was delivered with eval), because my MPSA key did not match the product code.
What a bunch of …… :X