Product Key could not be validated

Question

I have installed server 2019 evaluation with desktop experience and am now trying to activate my purchased license.
I am running the command DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
What I get is:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management Tool Version: 10.0.17763.1282

Image Version: 10.0.17763.1339

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.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

Where did you get the key, OEM? volume?
also try

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

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

Answer 2

Hi,

An evaluation version can only be activated using a retail key, if the key was from volume center then you'll need to use volume distribution media that can be downloaded from volume licensing center.

https://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/default.aspx

And here is an article which record a similar issue with you, please refer to it and check the measures on your side.

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2196857-can-t-set-edition-on-eval-of-2019
Note: This is a third-party link and we do not have any guarantees on this website. And Microsoft does not make any guarantees about the content.

Best regards,
Sylvia

Answer 3

Just to check if the above reply could be of help, if yes, you may mark useful reply as answer, if not, welcome to feedback.

Best regards,
Sylvia

Answer 4

Try this step; it worked for me.

Open powershell - RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR

PS C:\Users\Administrator> slmgr /upk
PS C:\Users\Administrator> slui /ipk ABCDE-ABCDE-ABCDE-ABCDE-ABCDE
PS C:\Users\Administrator> slmgr /ato
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 : ServerStandardEval

The operation completed successfully.strong text

Go to the Settings.
It was showing ... Server Std Evaluation

CLICK => Troubleshoot

You will get