How to Activate Windows Server 2012, 2019, 2022
Microsoft added a wide range of cloud-based features to Windows Server 2012, 2019, 2022 but the first step to the cloud can trip up admins who encounter activation problems with the server OS.
Windows Server 2019 requires license activation after 180 days, otherwise the system will shut down. With multiple server workloads, it’s not efficient to log in to each machine and manually activate them. There are also times when entering a valid key from the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) will not work. Errors and key rejection can happen, often for no apparent reason. To avoid frustration with the server GUI, it’s beneficial to learn how to activate the Windows Server 2012, 2019, 2022 license through alternative methods such as the command line or Key Management Services (KMS).
Why use Windows Server 2012, 2019, 2022?
A switch to Windows Server 2022 might be a bit premature for many organizations who might prefer a more battle-tested server OS, while Windows Server 2016 might lack the more advanced functionality sought by some companies.
Windows Server 2019 offers important enhancements and a few years of updates that should placate even the wariest of admins who prefer stability over cutting-edge features. Some advantages in Windows Server 2019 over Windows Server 2016 include:
a unified management center for both networking and ecosystem monitoring;
scalable, expanded storage up to 64 TB, plus replication for disaster recovery;
better performance in Storage Space Direct — up to two times faster according to Microsoft — through improvements in mirror-accelerated parity; and
cloud-based file witness sharing.
Perhaps most fundamentally, Windows Server 2016 was not built for hybrid environments, making data management trickier for admins.
Windows Server 2019 also bakes in two modern technologies: AI and IoT support. Windows Server 2019 uses artificial intelligence for smarter predictions based on analytics. Microsoft added this feature to help admins lower operating costs. Devices on connected IoT platforms, such as servers and machines, can seamlessly share and back up data.
How to Activate Window Server
Step 1 – Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as administrator
Step 2 – Install KMS client key
- slmgr /ipk your_license_key
Replace your_license_key with following volumn license keys according to Windows
Edition:
Home: TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
Home N: 3KHY7-WNT83-DGQKR-F7HPR-844BM
Home Single Language: 7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH
Home Country Specific: PVMJN-6DFY6-9CCP6-7BKTT-D3WVR
Professional: W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX
Professional N: MH37W-N47XK-V7XM9-C7227-GCQG9
Education: NW6C2-QMPVW-D7KKK-3GKT6-VCFB2
Education N: 2WH4N-8QGBV-H22JP-CT43Q-MDWWJ
Enterprise: NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
Enterprise N: DPH2V-TTNVB-4X9Q3-TJR4H-KHJW4
Step 3 – Set KMS machine address
slmgr /skms kms_server
Replace kms_server with the real KMS server address (by online search). For now, the
working KMS server is kms9.msguides.com .
Step 4 – Activate your Windows
slmgr /ato
For Windows Server
Step 1 – Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as administrator
Step 2 – Convert Windows Server Evaluation to retail edition
To get the available editions:
DISM /Online /Get-TargetEditions
To set your Windows Server to a higher edition:
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
Step 3 – Install KMS client key
slmgr /ipk your_license_key
Replace your_license_key with following volume license keys according to Windows Edition:
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33
Windows Server 2022 Standard: VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter: WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG
Windows Server 2019 Standard: N69G4-B89J2-4G8F4-WWYCC-J464C
Windows Server 2019 Essentials: WVDHN-86M7X-466P6-VHXV7-YY726
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
Step 4 – Set KMS machine address
slmgr /skms kms_server
Replace kms_server with the real KMS server address (by online search). For now, the working KMS server is kms9.msguides.com.
Step 5 – Activate your Windows
slmgr /ato