Friday 23 December 2016

Microsoft Windows Server - Evaluation Key Install, Upgrade & Rearm Process

Hello Everyone,

This post includes the steps to explain how to install/upgrade Evaluation License key or rearm evaluation key to extend the time for evaluation.

By default, any evaluation version for Windows Server includes 180 Days. During that period of time, You can evaluate all server features & functionality. But after that period, You need to upgrade Your license to retail version.

If You want to extend Your evaluation period for more times then Microsoft has provided You with an option called "Rearm" which gives You opportunity to extend the evaluation period by 6 Rearm Count. 

Each rearm count extend the evaluation time period by 10 Days which means You can extend the evaluation period for 60 more Days. After that, You have to upgrade license to full retail version else after every 2 hours, Your Server will automatically power off.

Now, How to check Your evaluation time period left is using below command:

Open command prompt and run this command - slmgr /dlv: 



This will open a small window which includes time period left & rearm count left:



Microsoft has provide KMS Client setup keys for all versions. KMS Client setup key is used only for some Volume License Key editions servers. In some Volume License editions, KMS key is enabled by default. 

CLICK HERE TO GET KMS CLIENT SETUP KEYS FROM MICROSOFT!!!  

How to install KMS Key? 

For this, You need to follow below steps:

1. Check the current server edition using below command:

DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition



This will give the current running edition details:




2. Run the below command to install key for both Editions:

Standard Edition:

DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula

Datacenter Edition:

DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula

NOTE: Same command is used to upgrade from evaluation version to retail version. You must have retail version Product Key from Microsoft.

This will require reboot. 

3. Run below command to enable KMS Key:

slmgr /ipk <Product_Key_for_Running_Edition>  

NOTE: Either Standard or Datacenter Product Key which is running

If facing any issue during installing KMS Key, then restart the KMS Service by running below commands:

net stop sppsvc

net start sppsvc

4. Once all done, You can check if key is successfully installed by running below command:

slmgr /dlv 


How to enable rearm count?

This is very simple command to enable rearm count, run below command:

slmgr /rearm  -> Press Enter

This will require reboot. 


REFERENCE LINK:


Evaluation Versions and Upgrade Options for Windows Server 2012!!!




This is all about Installing/Upgrading or enabling rearm count for License Key in Windows Server.

Share Your feedback or any query!!!


Happy Reading!!!

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