What happens when Windows Server trial expires

You can extend the evaluation for 10 days up to 5 times for an additional 50 days. After that, it will need to be activated.

How to manually rearm the 10 day activation grace period
When the initial 10-day activation period nears its end, you can run the Slmgr.vbs script to reset it back to 10 days. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Command Prompt.

2. Type slmgr.vbs -dli, and then press ENTER to check the current status of your activation period.

3. To reset the activation period, type slmgr.vbs –rearm, and then press ENTER.

4. Restart the computer.


This resets the activation period to 10 days, and can be used up to five times. After this you will need to either activate or reinstall the evaluation.

Question: Can you convert the evaluation version to a full version?

Answer: Although this conversion is not blocked, we do not support an upgrade from an evaluation version to a full version or changing the product key to a full version key. Since there is no support for any type of upgrade you must do a install to new directory using non-evaluation media. If you change the product key to Full Version, the visual evaluation references in Winver and as displayed in Slmgr /DLV output are removed, but the WLMS service remains on the system and the media retains its evaluation status.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2021579

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What happens when Windows Server trial expires

You can only activate with your MSDN key if it IS NOT used in Production.

MSDN can only be for test servers.

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Texkonc wrote:

You can only activate with your MSDN key if it IS NOT used in Production.

MSDN can only be for test servers.

Correct. If you have any Microsoft Licensing questions, be sure to reach out to a Microsoft partner. They can get you in touch with a licensing expert to ensure you are compliant.

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What happens when Windows Server trial expires

Now I want to use that server in production.

so..

what type of keys I should use for activating the product ?

As mentioned that MSDN keys can not be used in production but before that will it allow me to activate with MSDN keys.. I heard that MSDN keys are bounded with ISOs only downloaded from MSDN portal.

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What happens when Windows Server trial expires

Correct. You can not used a VL key for MSDN install.

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What happens when Windows Server trial expires

If you want to activate for production use, you just need to acquire a VL key.

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We are running windows server 2019 standard edition. The evolution copy expired. We rearm the evolution copy and it is valid for 180 days. We also bought the product key of windows server standard 2019 edition.

When I try to activate the windows server I get an error saying the product key you entered didn't work Check the product key and try again. (0x80041023).

I also tried with DISM command line as per the article here but that didn't work.

DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula

I called Microsoft to find if the product key is valid and they confirmed the product key is valid.

They try to generate the confirmation ID based upon the installation ID but that failed due to technical reason. So they transferred me to the technical support and in order to get the technical support we need support contract and we don't have one.

So my question is if the evolution copy is expired and we rearm it. Can we use the product key to activate the windows server license or we need to do clean in installation?

Windows Server

In this blog post I will show you how to extend your trial period to three years. The evaluation version of Windows Server 2016 / 2022 is valid for 180 days and you can convert your trial version to retail.

After installing, you can try it out for 180 days. After 180 days you and your system will run into troubles for sure. But the good news is: You can extend the period to another 180 days up to 3 years.

Extending the Trial Period

First, take a look at your desktop. You should see the countdown in the corner down right.

What happens when Windows Server trial expires

Or start PowerShell and run slmgr.

slmgr -dlv

Pay attention to the Timebased activation expiration and the Remaining Windows rearm count. You can rearm the period 6 times. (180 days * 6 = 3 years).

What happens when Windows Server trial expires

When the period comes to an end, run slmgr -rearm to extend it by another 180 days.

slmgr -rearm

What happens when Windows Server trial expires

Next restart your computer.

Restart-Computer

Once restarted, open PowerShell and check your settings.

slmgr -dli

What happens when Windows Server trial expires

Important Note

The evaluation version may not be used for commercial purposes. Have fun playing with the Windows Server 2016 Evaluation Version!

By the way: You can do the same with Windows 10711. But the Windows 10/11 Evaluation Version can be used only for 180 days in total.

Published by Patrick Gruenauer

Microsoft MVP on PowerShell [2018-2023], IT-Trainer, IT-Consultant, MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, Cisco Certified Academy Instructor. View all posts by Patrick Gruenauer

What happens when server 2022 evaluation expires?

This will shut down the server and even if you turn on the server again, it will shut down after an hour. Under the terms of the Microsoft License Agreement, after 180 days of the evaluation period, you must purchase a license or stop using the evaluation version of the operating system.

What will happen after Windows license expires?

After you cannot boot Windows, the only option would be to reinstall the OS. And you would need another device for that. That's why we recommend creating a bootable USB drive when you see the Your Windows license will expire soon message for the first time to facilitate seamless reinstallation and activation of the OS.

Do Windows Server licenses expire?

Microsoft Software Assurance benefits are not the same as product licenses. Product licenses do not expire. They are valid for as long as you own the product.

What happens if you dont license Windows Server?

So Windows Server 2019 will automatically shutdown after the trial grace period.