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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:
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 |
Source: Microsoft MSDN.
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:
cscript.exe c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato
Go further
Join our community of users on https://community.ovh.com/en/.