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SQL ServerHow do I activate Windows Server 2012 R2?
Head to the account section on our website. With the cursor over Profile (without clicking), a dropdown menu will open. Select Product Keys.
There you'll find the product key you need to activate Windows Server 2012 R2.
If you're activating a previously installed Windows Server, make sure it's not in evaluation mode and do the following:
Note: We recommend downloading and installing all software updates before starting the activation.
- Press the Windows key, and on the This PC icon, right-click and select Properties.
- Then, click on Change product key.
- Enter the product key. The product key will be automatically recognised. Click on Close.
Note: If after entering your product key you receive the following message The product key you entered didn't work. Check the product key and try again, or try a different one, it's likely that your system is the evaluation edition or that the operating system is installed on a different activation channel than the license belongs to. We suggest contacting one of our agents to help you identify the error and assist you in resolving it. For personalised support, click here.
If your system is installed as an evaluation edition, you'll need to perform the following process:
Note: It's necessary for the server to have all available updates installed, or you'll receive an error during activation.
- Press the Windows + R keys and a box will open. Type CMD and press Enter.
- In the box, type the following command: dism /online /set-edition:serverstandard /productkey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /accepteula. Replace the Xs with your product key and click Enter.
- After the activation process is complete, restart the server.
- After restarting, you'll have your activated Windows Server 2012 R2 ready for use. You can check this in the bottom right corner, where the Windows Server Standard Evaluation mark will no longer appear.
