windows server 2012R2 re-activation

lovel echiverri 26 Reputation points
2020-12-29T12:29:54.883+00:00

Hi, Our company need to reformat our 2 servers with hyper V, done with the 1st server, how can we registered or activate it again using our previous license key? I have the screenshot of computer properties it needed.

Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Dave Patrick 426K Reputation points MVP
    2020-12-29T14:25:03.887+00:00

    Since you're using volume license product keys you should have also used volume center download so the channels line up. As a work around you can try using kms keys as intermediate step.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys#windows-server-2012-r2

    (below assumes 2012 R2 Standard)

    Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /AcceptEula /ProductKey:D2N9P-3P6X9-2R39C-7RTCD-MDVJX

    then after reboot

    (below using your volume product key)

    slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
    slmgr /ato

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

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. Dave Patrick 426K Reputation points MVP
    2020-12-29T14:08:44.057+00:00

    What is the source of installation media?

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  2. lovel echiverri 26 Reputation points
    2020-12-29T14:15:19.497+00:00

    @Dave Patrick downloaded from microsoft site, the 2012r2 standard 180 days evaluation ISO

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  3. lovel echiverri 26 Reputation points
    2020-12-30T05:46:54.583+00:00

    @Dave Patrick tried your suggestion, and gives an error "invalid key", when i tried this command "slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx", I guess once the VLS is expired, it wont work.

  4. Jenny Feng 14,146 Reputation points
    2020-12-30T07:58:12.947+00:00

    @lovel echiverri
    Hi,

    You could try the following steps:

    1. Find the suitable generic key for your operating system from the below link
      https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj612867.aspx
      You could pick the windows server 2012 R2 KMS key from the above link
    2. Use the key in the following command. Make sure you are running the below command from elevated command prompt. 
      DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:D2N9P-3P6X9-2R39C-7RTCD-MDVJX /AcceptEula
      reboot the server when prompted
    3. Once the server is rebooted, try the volume license key from system properties or use SLUI 3 command 

    Hope above information can help you.

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