Windows server 2022 evaluation activation

Question

Hello,

I have windows server 2022 evaluation installed on a server .. after some time the server shows that the license is expired, so I got a key (the key has this text)

"C16 core for OEM software"

and tried to activate (settings/activation), but the activation failed with message:

"the product key you entered did not work".

not sure what is happening, any help will be appreciated.

Answer 1

As a work around, (assuming a Standard edition activation) mght also try using a kms key as intermediary step.
Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H /AcceptEula
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys#windows-server-ltscltsb-versions

then if successful use your own product key below after reboot
slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
slmgr /ato

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

Answer 2

I activated the system with this command:

Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:<key> /AcceptEula

on two servers (evaluation), all keys are OEM, one of the servers is activated with no problem, the second one shows this message in (settings/activation): "We can't activate windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital license or product key."

Answer 3

Hi,

The OEM licence is attached to hardware.

If you are using another hardware , you can't reuse this OEM key. That is why you have this error when you try to use OEM licence.

Please don't forget to mark helpful reply as answer

Answer 4

> one of the servers is activated with no problem,

Glad to hear of success

> > the second one shows this message in (settings/activation):

May need to reach out to the OEM on this one. OEMs are bound under contract with microsoft to provide support for the products they sell.

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

Answer 5

help i want to us winddows server evalkuation 2022, thanks