Changing a Windows Server product key | OVH Guides

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.

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.

In this box, enter the following command:

friend.com.vn c:windowssystem32friend.com.vn -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:

friend.com.vn c:windowssystem32friend.com.vn -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:

friend.com.vn c:windowssystem32friend.com.vn -skms friend.com.vn

If you are using a VPS or Public Cloud instance, you will need to use friend.com.vn.

Activate the system

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

friend.com.vn c:windowssystem32friend.com.vn -ato

Go further

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