Windows 2016 activation with Windows 2019 Datacenter OEM Key

Question

So as the subject state's.
I have a Windows 2019 datacenter OEM Key and I've activated several win2019 VM's on the server.
There are a few Win2016 VM's due to compatibility issue's of the software they run but I can't seem to activate with the same key.

any advice?

Answer 1

For those interested

trough HPE you can request a downgrade and they'll send the medium and key's to you.
so it is possible
https://ebiz3.mentormediacorp.com/HPEDGRCR/

Answer 2

Hi,

What have you tried so far?
What are the errors you're receiving when attempting to activate the Windows Server 2016 virtual machines?

Something here might help:

Automatic virtual machine activation
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/vm-activation-19

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(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you)

Best regards,
Leon

Answer 3

Hi LeonLaude,

I've tried the slmgr.vbs /ipk command (that I used for the win 2019 VM's)
This is the error I get:

using the slui command mentioned I get:

The OS version is Datacenter so this should match, the only thing that doesn't match is my key is 2019, the OS is 2016
But I was under the impression that this wouldn't be an issue.

I've also tried entering the code by using slui.exe 3

We're using VMware ESXi, not Hyper-V so I think AVMA doesn't apply here

Answer 4

That's correct, AVMA wouldn't work with a VMware host. Better option in this case is to move to using a Windows Server 2019 DataCenter host so you can make use of AVMA, the other option is to use a valid 2016 product key to activate the 2016 guest.

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

Answer 5

If the host where you are using windows Server 2019 DataCenter were a hyper-v host then you could make use of AVMA product keys for guest activation.

In your case (VMWare as hypervisor) in order to activate the Server 2016 guest you can use any valid Server 2016 product key for activation purposes.

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