license handling for deployable virtual machine template

Question

Hi,

I want to create a template for virtual machines with Windows Server 2019 installed. I want to use this template with installed 3rd party software to deploy it to my customers. My customers have different windows licensing (Datacenter, Retail, ???).

How should I license the virtual machine? Which Windows Server 2019 edition should I install from? What product key should I use during installation? Is it even possible? I tried not to license the template at all, because it is my customers part and I don't want to deploy machines with my license, which would be a problem if the customer "forgets" to change it.
But after some time the template runs in "evaluation mode" when it is not licensed.

I tried to change to license/product key after installation. But did not manage to get it out of evaluation mode. I tried this:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/58587/windows-server-2019-activation-from-evaluation.html
and
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/34d1dbd2-f800-4e4b-8158-3d3f2445949c/error-14081-activating-windows-server-2016-evaluation-to-windows-server-standard?forum=ws2016

Ideas anyone?

Thanks for you help.

best regards,
Christian

Answer 1

How should I license the virtual machine?

The license will come from the host it is installed on. For a Standard host use the host product key for activation. For a DataCenter host use either the host product key or AVMA key for activation.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/automatic-vm-activation#avma-keys

What product key should I use during installation?

Use your own host's product key for activation during development.

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

Hello @Christian Giertler

What you are looking for is AVMA: automatic-vm-activation
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/automatic-vm-activation

Hope this helps with your query,

---------
--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

Answer 3

I forgot to mention, that I mean a VMWare virtual machine, not Hyper-V.
Meanwhile I installed our software in a fresh installation and remove licensing information with the sysprep-tool. I will try to deploy the machine from this image.