Windows 

Convert Windows Server Evaluation to Full Version

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This tutorial will show you how to convert/upgrade your installation of Windows Server Evaluation into the “full” version (as a KMS client) so that you can avoid reinstalling the OS and migrating all of your roles and configurations once you purchase a license.

First, to view your current edition (Standard or Datacenter), use the DISM tool:

DISM /Online /Get-CurrentEdition

Now to begin the conversion, use the following DISM command, including your Edition (either ServerStandard or ServerDatacenter) as the parameter for Set-Edition, and the Generic Volume License Key (GVLK) for your version of Windows Server. GVLKs can be found here.

DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula

Once this process has completed, reboot and you will no longer be running an Evaluation edition. You can now run your KMS activation scripts, etc. as normal and continue using Windows Server as a full installation.

References:

  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/upgrade-conversion-options
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kms-client-activation-keys