Can we change Windows OS from Datacenter version to Standard version without format the server

Question

Can we change Windows OS from Datacenter version to Standard version without format the server using activation key only

Answer 1

I tired it and I got this error in return:

Error: 50

This Windows image cannot upgrade to the edition of Windows that was specified. The upgrade cannot proceed.

Run the /Get-TargetEditions option to see what edition of Windows you can upgrade to.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

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This was a Windows Server Datacenter evaluation which was downloaded by mistake because it was supposed to be Standard, not Datacenter.

Now I am stuck with this because to change it it would take a lot of reinstallation of critical Line of Business software which would cost the company some heavy charges for such reinstallation. I need to find a way to convert this Datacenter evaluation to Standard. I have the legitimate license key purchased from Microsoft.

Answer 2

Hi Ashwani Kumar6,

yes, it is possible. You can do this by using the "DISM" command-line tool to change the edition of Windows Server. However, you will need a valid Standard edition product key to activate the new edition. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open an elevated command prompt on the server.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
3. Replace the "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX" with your valid Standard edition product key.
4. Wait for the command to complete and then restart the server.

After the server restarts, it should be running the Standard edition of Windows Server.

Hope it helps.

Kind regads,

Lei

Answer 3

I have just tried this on a machine which the Datacenter version was accidentally installed however system is now live. I have a valid Server 2022 Standard license however the above operation failed also with error: 50

Upon running DISM /Online /Get-TargetEditions I get the following response:

Image version: 10.0.20348.169

Editions that can be upgraded to:

(The current edition cannot be upgraded to any target editions.)

The operation completed successfully.

Answer 4

Hi Lei,

Do you know if this is a supported method by Microsoft?

Further, a couple of respondents also say they got Error: 50. Is that anything to worry about, are there any ramifications to getting that error?

Finally, can you confirm there will be no issues with patching such a downgraded server going forward.

Many thanks & kind regards,

Simon.

Answer 5

Hello Simon,

apologize for my wrong reply before first. error 50 indicates Datacenter version to Standard version without format the server is not supported. But Standard version to Datacenter version is possible.

Best regards,

Lei