How to downgrade Windows Server 2022 volume license to Windows Server 2016

Question

We have Windows Server 2022 volume license through a re-seller, but our old server only has Server 2016 drivers, so I wish I can use the Windows Server 2022 license key or download it to Server 2016 to activate Server 2016 system on old servers.

How can I do it?

Answer 1

Hello Steven Xing,

thank you for posting on the Microsoft Community Forums.

About your question, you need to check the compatibility of your license key. That means you should ensure your Windows Server 2022 volume license key can be used for Windows Server 2016. Volume license keys, especially KMS (Key Management Service) keys, may have backward compatibility. Please confirm this with your reseller. If your key is compatible, you can directly use it to activate Windows Server 2016.

Hope it helps.

Best regards,

Lei

Answer 2

I tried use Server 2022 volume license KMS key yo activate Server 2016, it doesn't work, so the key is not compatible. Is there other way to activate Server 2016 with Server 2022 Volume KMS license key?

Answer 3

If your Windows server 2022 volume key is a CSVLK, it can be hosted on a Windows server 2016.

However, to qualify for KMS activation, a network must have a minimum number of computers (called the activation threshold). KMS clients activate only after this threshold is met. Meanwhile, your environment must meet the requirements in Key Management Services (KMS) activation planning for Windows Server | Microsoft Learn.