Product Key could not be validated

Maaco3691 1 Reputation point
2020-08-07T13:41:38.27+00:00

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?

Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2019
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
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  1. Dave Patrick 426K Reputation points MVP
    2020-08-07T13:47:06.883+00:00

    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--

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  2. Sylvia Chen (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 1,501 Reputation points
    2020-08-10T05:45:38.75+00:00

    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

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  3. Sylvia Chen (Shanghai Wicresoft Co,.Ltd.) 1,501 Reputation points
    2020-08-12T09:50:15.697+00:00

    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

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  4. Karan Thangarajan 21 Reputation points
    2022-05-24T01:07:52.13+00:00

    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

    204883-image.png

    CLICK => Troubleshoot

    You will get

    204874-image.png

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