Windows Server 2019 Eval Download
Natasha Wheat
You can upgrade or convert installations of Windows Server to newer versions, different editions, or switch between licensing options, such as evaluation, retail, and volume licensed. This article helps explain what the options are to help with your planning.
You can convert evaluation versions and editions of Windows Server to retail versions and editions. For example, if you've installed the evaluation version of Standard (Desktop Experience) edition, you can convert it to the retail version of either the Standard (Desktop Experience) edition or the Datacenter (Desktop Experience) edition.
However, you can't convert all Windows Server evaluation versions and editions to all retail versions or editions. For example, if you've installed the evaluation Datacenter edition, you can convert it only to the retail Datacenter edition, not to the retail Standard edition.
In Windows Server versions after 2016, if you've installed Desktop Experience evaluation versions, you can't convert them to Core retail versions. If you install the Standard Core evaluation version, you can convert it only to retail Datacenter Core, not to retail Standard Core.
If your server is running an evaluation version of Windows Server Standard or Datacenter edition, you can convert it to an available retail version. Run the following commands in an elevated command prompt or PowerShell session.
You can't convert an Active Directory domain controller from an evaluation to a retail version. In this case, install an additional domain controller on a server that runs a retail version, migrate any FSMO roles held, and remove Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) from the domain controller that runs on the evaluation version. For more information, see Upgrade Domain Controllers to Windows Server.
If the server is running Windows Server Essentials, you can convert it to the full retail version by entering a retail, volume license, or OEM key in the following command at an elevated command prompt:
At any time after installing Windows Server, you can freely convert between a retail license, a volume-licensed license, or an OEM license. The edition (Standard or Datacenter) remains the same during this conversion. If you're starting with an evaluation version, convert it to the retail version first and then convert between the versions by running the following command from an elevated command prompt. Provide your volume-license, retail, or OEM product key.
Is there a way to upgrade from windows server 2016 standard license ( no EVALUATION) to windows server 2019 using ISO method without the need to activate it in a second moment once the upgrade is over?
Hypothetically, let's say in the course of MSP work you discover a business running eval Windows servers in production. And not just like they're missing a few CALs or something--they are straight up using eval Windows servers for profit for years on end without paying a dime, in this hypothetical.
I was recently able to acquire a license key for Windows Server 2019 Standard and decided to do some research to see how difficult it would be to upgrade my Eval servers to Standard. Thankfully, the process is pretty painless and I will be walking you through it. In my case, I will be upgrading my primary domain controller.
After upgrading my server, I wanted to try my best to ensure all functionality was retained by domain controller. To do this, I visited my secondary domain controller and ran Test-ComputerSecureChannel. It's worth noting that this command needs to be run on a domain controller other than the one you just upgraded.
Next week I have to install another server like this one and I would like to know if I should install a new IP version first, pass SPP first, or the order of the steps to follow. It also seems that the IP interface changes a bit compared to the previous ones. On the other hand, is the license error message normal? The same ISO in a GEN9 I install it the first time from the IP. Thank you very much for the help and I wish you a happy weekend
The version of Windows Server Evaluation Edition is available for download from the official Microsoft website and is designed to evaluate the possibilities. The version has full functionality and normally works during the trial period (180 days).
Despite this trick, it is correct and not contrary to the Microsoft license terms to convert the evaluation version to the normal one. To do this, you will need to run the command prompt as an administrator and follow the instructions below.
I was expecting a feature update to become available via Windows Update, but none is found. Is that because it's an evaluation version? Is there a way to force a feature update to whatever version the latest feature update for Windows Server Essentials 2016 is?
If you modified the actual images on there using dism and updated the install.wim so that the images are non-evaluation editions, then the reason this is happening is simple - modifying the image contents (to change the edition) doesn't automatically change the name or description of the image.
Cases in which you run an evaluation and then need to convert it to retail are numerous. Yes, this is really useful for environments created for a proof-of-concept (POC) purpose that then decide to go to production. In such cases, it's a great time-saver because you don't have to start from scratch.
If you have installed Windows Server 2019 StandardEvaluation or DatacenterEvaluation, you have essentially only 180 days to test any features of the new server platform version. This might be enough for some but not for others.
It's worth noting that if you've used an evaluation edition to build a DC for your POC, you can't change the edition. You'll either need to build a new DC, demote the evaluation edition DC, or convert Eval to Standard (or Datacenter) and then promote it again for a DC.
I created a VM and installed windows server 2019 Essentials Evaluation and after 3 months I decided to buy the original license (OEM).
Activation fails and generates an error message:
The product key entered does not work. Check it and try again or enter a different one (0xc0020036)
From cmd, it reports Error 87, Invalid Product Code KEy.
I tried these commands:
slmgr -ipk
(0xc0020036) On a computer running a non-core edition of Microsft windows, run slui 0x02 0xC0020036 to view the error text. If I run the command it tells me "No Endpoint available in the endpoint mapping"
After Windows Server 2016 was announced GA on Ignite 2016 I installed the 180 day evaluation version of the Standard edition. As a test / for research purposes I wondered if this edition could be converted to a licensed edition, and how this could be done.
Hi P,
Windows Server is only available as 64-bit OS. It could be that customizations you did to the server image or installation are interfering, or maybe the OS was in the midst of installing Windows Updates when you executed the dism command. As far as I know this process will never kill your installation. It will simply not execute using a faulty key.
Hi there,
if I installed a domain controller on the windows server 2016 evaluation, and after 180 days will purchase the standard license, must follow the same steps like the windows server 2012? Example: create a new server, promote the new dc
as MS recommended to demote the DC role .. if I demote it am I need to delete all the AD metadata or only demote and then activate then reinstall it. btw, I have two DCs replicated.
Your advice will safe me ..
Hi MadShark,
Since you have 2 DCs: transfer all FSMO roles to 1 DC. Demote the DC without any roles, activate it, then promote it to DC again. Repeat for the other DC if that is evaluation also. No need to mess around with metadata and such.
We hope that our article was able to help you convert your Evaluation version of Windows Server to the full version, complete with a legal license. Enjoy your server to the fullest, without any limitations insight.
Now that you have bought yourself some time. You will need to convert the evaluation edition of Windows to a production version using a General Volume License Key (GVLK), which are used when setting up KMS clients. Microsoft publishes a list of those keys here. I suggest that you make a backup or snapshot of the server before attempting a conversion.
Helow sir how are you all please help me i have problem in my server basically not one problem i have two problems. The first one my server automatically 30min shutdown. But now i give that commands you right up slmgr-dlv so my server time extension now i have solve this problem but they right there they extened only 9days.and another problem i cannot ping my server another PC. Kindly some one guide me. Thank you.
KB article 948472 describes the process for Windows Server 2008 and includes instructions on installing an evaluation version of Windows Server 2008 from the standard media as well has how to set up a recurring task in Windows Task Scheduler to extend the evaluation period to 240 days.
Evaluating Windows Server 2008 software does not require product activation. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without activation, and it may be evaluated for 60 days. Additionally, the 60-day evaluation period may be reset (re-armed) three times. This action extends the original 60-day evaluation period by up to 180 days for a total possible evaluation time of 240 days.
After setting the date back to a time where the SQL evaluation licence works, then stop the windows time service. Stopping the Windows time service is somewhat easier and less problematic for a virtual machine than disconnecting from the network.
I installed the esxi 6.7.0 on my Dell t5500. I installed the client on my laptop and created datastore1\downloads. I copied the 2016 eval ISO into \downloads. While creating the first VM I used the browse button on cd/dvd and browsed to the ISO file and selected it. After creating the VM I powered it on hoping it would boot from the ISO. I opened the console window and got black screen that said press any key to boot from CD or DVD... Inside the black window there is a blue Boot Manager window. I used the arrow key to move down to "EFI VMware Virtual SATA CDROM Drive (0.0). It still would not boot.
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