Windows Hyper-V Licensing

Question

I recently purchased a new Dell server that came with Windows 2019 Datacenter Edition preinstalled.
If i read correctly, i can install an unlimited number of virtual machines using this license.
I installed one VM as test and used Windows 2012 Standard Evaluation Edition ISO that i downloaded.
Then i tried to convert it to Windows 2012 Standard edition using this command:

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

(ProductKey above i took from a sticker that is on the server). I however got an error message:

"The specified product key could not be validated. Check that the specified product key is valid and that it matches the target edition."

I of course realize that the key i tried to use is for Datacenter Edition 2019 whereas i am trying to convert to Standard 2012 but my understanding that the key is compatible with anything below 2019.

If it is not the case, how then do i install and activate virtual OS? Or i need to purchase separate licenses for virtual OS? Also is there a place where i can download Windows 2012 Standard ISO that is not evaluation so i don't need to convert?

thank you in advance for your help

Answer 1

Maybe the volume center if you have a logon. Another work-around to try is using a kms key as intermediary step
Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /AcceptEula /ProductKey:D2N9P-3P6X9-2R39C-7RTCD-MDVJX
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys

then if success after reboot you can use below but using AVMA key;
slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
slmgr /ato

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

Answer 2

Yes you can run unlimited virtual machines. To provide activation for other operating systems you'll need to install from licensed media then use AVMA keys.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/vm-activation-19

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