Changing a Windows Server product key

Changing a Windows Server product key

Last updated 20th July 2018

Objective

When you install a Windows Server operating system, the product key – also known as a KMS (Key Management Service) key – may not be installed correctly. In such cases, the operating system has been installed with a 120-day trial key. Once this time period elapses, the operating system can no longer be used.

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This guide will show you how to change the product key for your Windows Server environment.

Requirements

  • a dedicated server with Windows installed
  • a Windows SPLA licence in your account
  • access to your server via remote desktop connection

Instructions

Uninstall the default product key

When your operating system is in trial mode, a default product key is installed. To modify it, open the Run dialogue box by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard + R.

Changing a Windows Server product key

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In this box, enter the following command:

cscript.exe c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -upk 

Install the new product key

You can now install the new product key. To do so, go back to the Run box, and enter the following command:

cscript.exe c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk PRODUCT KEY 

Below is a list of the product keys available for each operating system:

Operating system Product key
Windows Server 2008 Standard TM24T-X9RMF-VWXK6-X8JC9-BFGM2
Windows Server 2008 Enterprise YQGMW-MPWTJ-34KDK-48M3W-X4Q6V
Windows Server 2008 Datacenter 7M67G-PC374-GR742-YH8V4-TCBY3
Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard YC6KT-GKW9T-YTKYR-T4X34-R7VHC
Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise 489J6-VHDMP-X63PK-3K798-CPX3Y
Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter 74YFP-3QFB3-KQT8W-PMXWJ-7M648
Windows Server 2012 Standard XC9B7-NBPP2-83J2H-RHMBY-92BT4
Windows Server 2012 Datacenter 48HP8-DN98B-MYWDG-T2DCC-8W83P
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard D2N9P-3P6X9-2R39C-7RTCD-MDVJX
Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter W3GGN-FT8W3-Y4M27-J84CP-Q3VJ9
Windows 8.1 Professional GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter CB7KF-BWN84-R7R2Y-793K2-8XDDG
Windows Server 2016 Standard WC2BQ-8NRM3-FDDYY-2BFGV-KHKQY
Windows Server 2016 Essentials JCKRF-N37P4-C2D82-9YXRT-4M63B
Windows Server 2019 Standard N69G4-B89J2-4G8F4-WWYCC-J464C
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG

Source: Microsoft

Core versions use the same product keys as non-core versions.

Associate your product key

To associate your key with our automated activation system, enter the command below in the Run dialogue box:

cscript.exe c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.ovh.net 

If you are using a VPS or Public Cloud instance, you will need to use kms.cloud.ovh.net.

Activate the system

Lastly, to activate your Windows operating system, simply enter the command below:

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cscript.exe c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato 

Go further

Join our community of users on https://community.ovh.com/en/.


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