SOLVED: Unable to convert Hyper-V server 2019 Datacenter Eval version to full

Question

This is all in Hyper-V. I have a Server 2019 Datacenter Edition OEM license on my physical hardware, with no roles except Hyper-V and Hyper-V Management installed.

I created a Server 2019 Datacenter VM using an evaluation license. Now I want to convert it to a full copy that will activate using AVMA on the using the Server 2019 Datacenter OEM license on the physical hardware. I use

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Dism /Online /Get-CurrentEdition

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.17763.1

Image Version: 10.0.17763.737

Current edition is:

Current Edition : ServerDatacenterEval

The operation completed successfully.

PS C:\Users\Administrator> Dism /Online /Get-TargetEditions

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.17763.1

Image Version: 10.0.17763.737

Editions that can be upgraded to:

Target Edition : ServerDatacenter

No problem, right? Using the AVMA key (from here) https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/vm-activation-19

I get:

PS C:\Users\Administrator> DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:H3RNG-8C32Q-Q8FRX-6TDXV-WMBMW /AcceptEula

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.17763.1

Image Version: 10.0.17763.737

Error: 1168

The specified product key could not be validated.
Check that the specified product key is valid and that it matches the target edition.

I also get an error with
slmgr /ipk H3RNG-8C32Q-Q8FRX-6TDXV-WMBMW

error 0xC004F069, use "slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F069" to display the error text

Running that gets me "The Software Licensing Reported that the product SKU was not found".

Both commands also fail using the OEM license key from the sticker and using the self-reported license key from inside the (fully licensed) server 2019 hardware.

How do I fix this? I have a license to use unlimited Server 2019 Datacenter Edition VMs on my 2019 Datacenter hardware, but how do I activate them? Am I looking in the wrong place and have an incorrect AVMA key?

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SOLVED! It took three steps.

1: Update the Configuration version of the VM to 9.0 (Hyper-V 2019 version) instead of 8.0 (Hyper-V 2016 version). I'm not sure why this was the older version.
2: Run dism set-edition using the hypervisor's PHYSICAL key (this did not work with Configuration version 8.0 but worked with 9.0)
3: Swap to the AVMA key using slmgr

And yes, do not use eval media in the first place for VMs, that was a bad idea.

Thank you very much for your help.

Answer 1

Another option is to use the same product key that was used to activate host.

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Answer 2

The vendor should provide access to download licensed installation media. An evaluation cannot be activated via AVMA. As a workaround you can try a kms key as intermediate step.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys

Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /AcceptEula /ProductKey:WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG

then after reboot do (AVMA)
slmgr /ipk H3RNG-8C32Q-Q8FRX-6TDXV-WMBMW
slmgr /ato

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

Answer 3

Try using the installation media that comes with your purchase to build the virtual machines.

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Answer 4

Hi,

This might be silly but please try dism /online /set-edition:ServerDatacenter /accepteula /productkey: H3RNG-8C32Q-Q8FRX-6TDXV-WMBMW

There are Upgrade Restrictions for Windows Server Evaluation

You can convert only the full GUI version of Windows Server. Server Core or Nano Server can’t be converted this way;

You cannot upgrade a server with a domain controller role (Active Directory Domain Services role). You must demote the DC and uninstall this role first

Is your server Server Core or Nano server? Is your server a domain controller?

Please note: Information posted in the given link is hosted by a third party. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy and effectiveness of information.

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Answer 5

Bottom line is don't use evaluation media for this purpose and avoid these headaches.

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