Reinstalling Windows Server Evaluation for learning purposes

Question

I have been using the evaluation version of Windows Server in a VM (this is not a production environment) for learning purposes only. I have three other VMs running Windows 11 and one Win10 VM with AD setup. I want to continue to learn AD, file permissions, how DNS works and other things that can help me get a better job in IT. Unfortunately, due to sheer laziness I haven't been continuing my studies and my evaluation period is about to end. Based on Microsoft terms and conditions is it legal to reinstall Windows Server just so I can reset the 180 day evaluation period? Again, this is not on a production or work environment. It's just a bunch of VMs on my home computer where I'm trying to get better in Active Directory and all the other things that can help me continue my studies in this field. Thank you anyone for any help you guys can give.

Answer 1

Hi aolish,

no, it is not legal to reinstall Windows Server just to reset the 180-day evaluation period.

According to Microsoft's terms and conditions, the evaluation version of Windows Server is intended for testing and evaluation purposes only, and not for use in production environments or for personal use. Once the evaluation period has ended, you must either purchase a license or stop using the software.

Reinstalling the evaluation version to reset the evaluation period is a violation of the terms and conditions and could result in legal consequences. Instead, you may consider using a free trial of Windows Server or purchasing a license to continue your studies.

For more information about how to convert an evaluation version to a retail version, please see Upgrade and conversion options for Windows Server | Microsoft Learn.

Kind regards,

Lei

Answer 2

Hello Lei Tao, thank you for the quick reply. The thing is if I were to purchase a Windows Server license to be used in a non-production environment, what guarantee will I have that it will work on a VM without asking me to reactivate the license. As you might already know, a VM machine will not have the same virtual hardware every single time since virtual hardware can be interchanged for different reasons. For example, VM doesn't always perform the way they should because of bugs in VM software. I'm afraid if I were to purchase one of these expensive licenses then a reactivation might occur which I simply cannot afford. Window Server is a very expensive license and since virtual hardware can be changed due to different reasons then won't it ask me to purchase another license? Also, I understand that Windows Server can be used as a free trial, is the free trial I'm using now the evaluation copy or is the free trial the one from Azure where it says: "download free trial? Thanks a lot for your clarification and help. Is it possible if I can use the following link below to continue my studies?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/trial

Answer 3

Hi aolish,

1. when you purchase a Windows Server license, it is tied to the hardware on which it is activated. If you are using a virtual machine, the license will be tied to the virtual hardware of that machine. If you need to move the virtual machine to a different host, you can transfer the license to the new host as long as you deactivate the license on the old host first.
2. Yes, you can continue your studies in this link.

Answer 4

Hello there, I am lifting this post back up because I wanted to let you know that I had recently purchased an HPE ProLiant MicroServer Gen10 Plus v2 and am planning on purchasing a copy of Windows Server 2022 Essentials to continue my studies. I'm basically using it to connect to my home network. However, I would like to ask if it’s okay to use Windows Server 2022 evaluation (even though I used all the evaluation period on Windows Server 2019 that was used on a Virtual Machine) to not only make sure that my server is working fine but to also continue my studies? After the evaluation period ends again and seeing that everything is functioning properly on my server, I am planning on getting a license from HPE ROK for Windows Server 2022 Essentials. I understand that the license is tied to the hardware that you use, since the HPE Microserver is considered different hardware am I allowed to use the Windows Server 2022 evaluation period even though I had used all the evaluation period on Windows Server 2019? I just wanted to make sure that I'm doing the right thing. Thanks.

Answer 5

Hi,

yes, for your new server, you can use the Windows Server 2022 evaluation release to test its features and continue learning. The evaluation version can run on your virtual machine,