How to Convert Windows Server Evaluation to a Full License

To convert Windows Server evaluation to a full license, you don't need to reinstall: open Command Prompt as administrator, check your edition with DISM, and run one DISM command with your product key. After a restart, your server runs the full Standard or Datacenter edition, with all your settings and files. Below are the steps, with screenshots from our own Windows Server 2022 test server and the video of the whole process.

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IMPORTANT: your product key must match the version and edition you convert to. A Windows Server 2022 Standard key converts to Windows Server 2022 Standard, and a Datacenter key to Datacenter. If they don't match, DISM shows error 1605 (see step 7).

1. What you need

• Windows Server installed from an evaluation ISO, for example the one from Microsoft's Evaluation Center. If you still have to install it, follow our guide How to Install Windows Server 2022 and Activate It with a Product Key.
• Your product key for the same version, for example Windows Server 2022 Standard or Windows Server 2025 Standard.
• An account with administrator rights on the server.
• An internet connection, for the activation.

Microsoft's guide uses the same DISM commands for the current Windows Server versions, so these steps also work on Windows Server 2019 and 2025. Our screenshots are from Windows Server 2022 Standard.

2. Check that you are on the evaluation

2.1 Search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

2.2 Type this command and press Enter:

DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition

If the edition name ends in Eval, it's the evaluation: ServerStandardEval for Standard, ServerDatacenterEval for Datacenter. You can also see it at the bottom right of the desktop: "Windows Server 2022 Standard Evaluation" and "Windows License valid for 180 days".

2.3 You can also run this command:

slmgr.vbs /dlv

A window opens with the license details. On the evaluation, the name says ServerStandardEval edition, the description says TIMEBASED_EVAL channel, and the line Timebased activation expiration shows how many days are left. Click OK to close it.

3. See which editions you can convert to

Type this command and press Enter:

DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions

It lists the editions your installation can be converted to. From the Standard evaluation, you see ServerStandard and ServerDatacenter. Use the edition you bought.

If the edition you want isn't on the list, Microsoft says you need a fresh installation of that edition. For example, the Datacenter evaluation can only be converted to Datacenter.

4. Convert it with your product key

4.1 Type this command with your edition and your product key, and press Enter:

DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula

For a Datacenter key, use ServerDatacenter instead of ServerStandard. Replace the X's with your product key, with the dashes. With /AcceptEula you accept the Microsoft Software License Terms. To read them first, Microsoft's guide shows how to save them with /GetEula:C:\license.rtf.

4.2 The conversion takes a few minutes. When it finishes, Windows asks you to restart. Type Y and the server restarts.

5. Restart and check the activation

After the restart, Windows Server starts as the full version. Open the Start menu, click Settings, go to Update and Security and then Activation. It shows Windows Server 2022 Standard and Windows is activated: it's no longer an evaluation, and the evaluation text at the bottom right of the desktop is gone.

6. Windows Server Essentials

Windows Server Essentials doesn't use DISM. According to Microsoft, you convert it to the full version by entering your key in Command Prompt as administrator:

slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

7. Key not working?

If your key doesn't match the edition in the command, DISM shows Error: 1605: the product key is not valid for the target edition. Check these points and run the command again:

• Same version: a Windows Server 2022 key for Windows Server 2022, a 2025 key for 2025.
• Same edition: a Standard key with /Set-Edition:ServerStandard, a Datacenter key with /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter.
• The Datacenter evaluation can only be converted to Datacenter, not to Standard.
• Desktop Experience and Server Core: according to Microsoft, an evaluation with Desktop Experience can't be converted to a Server Core version.

If you see an error during activation, switch to another network, for example your phone's hotspot, and try again.

8. Reveal your key only when you are ready

At Licendeals, your key stays hidden until you click Get my license. Reveal it when your server is ready and you can run the conversion right away. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away.

9. Frequently asked questions