Windows Server 2019 Essentials running Hyper-V - Licensing Issue

Question

Hello all. We are a small company and have bought a Dell server with Windows Server 2019 Essentials OEM. This server will only be used to Run 2 applications (one of them running firebird DB and another one running SQLEXPRESS Server). Those two applications have been installed and were working fine. We decided to convert this machine to a VM for easing the backup process (backing up the whole VM instead of each application data - SQL and Firebird). First we converted the server physical machine to a VHD file using Disk2Vhd tool. After that we installed the Hyper-V role on the physical machine and added a new virtual machine pointing to the VHD file already created. The Server came up fine and all the applications worked fine as well. After a while there was a message on the desktop about the Windows Activation. When I checked the activation status I saw the following message: "We can´t activate windows on this device as the product key you entered doesn't match the hardware profile. If you recently repaired Windows or made significant hardware changes to this device select troubleshoot to try and fix the problem or go to the store to buy genuine Windows. Error code: 0xC004F057".
It's exactly the same machine. Is there anything I could have done wrong configuring Hyper-V? The physical server still has SQL server Express and Firebird Installed. Would that be an issue for licensing? The only roles it has is the Hyper-V and File and storage services role. Should I disable the File and storage services role? I will only run this only VM on the physical server and this server will only run Hyper-V. No other rule is needed. I´d appreciate your thoughts on that issue. Thank you.

Answer 1

The server licensing rights have been expanded, allowing you to install an instance of Essentials on your physical server to run the Hyper-V role (with none of the other roles and features of the Essentials Experience installed)

You can try removing them but more than likely the host will need to be reinstalled. You could save the VHD for guest somewhere, reinstall the host OS, add hyper-v role, Copy the VHD back. Then create a new VM on with an identical configuration as existing, then when you get to step Connect Virtual Hard Disk choose Use an existing virtual hard disk and point to the VHD.

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Answer 2

Essentials allows you to install the server, cancel the Essentials config, install the hyper V role, then install Essentials as the VM. But only one VM is allowed, regardless of how many licenses for other products you own. The other applications on host are also likely a violation.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-essentials/install/install-and-configure-windows-server-essentials-or-windows-server-essentials-experience#BKMK_VirtualWSE
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-server-essentials-and/understanding-licensing-for-windows-server-2012-r2-essentials/ba-p/398658

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Answer 3

Thank you for the reply DSPatrick. So, in my case where the whole environment is set-up, is it possible to disable all the roles on the host and uninstall SQL and Firebird databases? Would that solve the problem on the guest installation or I'd have to install it on the host all over again and then select the "install as a virtual instance" option?

Answer 4

Hi,
There is another method you could have a try, which is more easier for customers to deploy Hype-V with windows essential.
Select OEMs offer Windows Server Essentials together with their hardware solutions

Virtualization and Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-server-essentials-and/virtualization-and-windows-server-2012-r2-essentials/ba-p/398703

(Note: The reason that we suggested like this is because the OEM configuration shall also be conisdered when Essential you bought is OEM)
One more reference link:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/sbs/windows-server-2012-r2-essentials-preview-and-windows-server-essentials-experience-server-role-now-available

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Hope this helps and please help to accept as Answer if the response is useful.

Thanks,
Jenny

Answer 5

Hi,
Normal essential server setup consists of installing operating system and configuring the operating system with domain details. For OEM version, I assumed that the two steps have been setup by the vendor and clients could directly use the serve. Thus, we suggest to contact OEM vendor on the transfer task from physical server to VM running essential.

Moreover, per my search, below thread listed some requirements and steps for installing hype-V in essential server 2012, which might be some help for you:
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/341bd905-1d99-4e3d-af16-04aadf9e9ab9/installing-windows-server-2012-essentials-r2-hyperv-role?forum=2012R2EssentialsPreview

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Hope this helps and please help to accept as Answer if the response is useful.

Thanks,
Jenny