How To Activate Windows Server 2019 Datacenter

Microsoft released their newest version of their server operating arrangement most ane twelvemonth agone on October 2, 2019. I accept had Windows Server 2019 running in my lab environment since Nov 2018. It is certainly not advisable to be on the haemorrhage edge of engineering in your production surroundings and to test thoroughly whatsoever new product before committing to information technology. Major version releases of operating systems are one such applied science that falls squarely into that category.

Here is Microsoft's comparison chart betwixt 2008 R2, 2012 R2, 2016 and 2019: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/windows-server-comparison.

On the surface, Windows Server 2019 looks just near like Windows Server 2016. In that location aren't many changes to the user interface between the two operating organization environments either so if you lot are already used to Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 is a familiar face. It is mature enough now after beingness a year old that I accept been putting information technology into client production environments.

Notation: Remember with every major release version change of operating systems (2003 & 2003 R2, 2008 & 2008 R2, 2012 & 2012 R2, 2016, and now 2019) in addition to the basic server licensing, corresponding user CALs (Client Admission Licenses) are required to go forth with them.

One time y'all have logged into the Microsoft Volume License Center and acquired the key needed to activate the operating organization, information technology should be as simple as opening Server Manager, navigating to the Local Server page, clicking the Not activated link and punching in the primal, right?

With a few recent installations of Windows Server 2019 I have institute that even when I'm 100% sure I've copy/pasted or typed in the key correctly, it is still non accepted and consequently not activated. Instead of using the GUI, repeatedly unsuccessfully, I take institute the command line tool to do the same to exist dependably effective. The tool is the Windows Software Licensing Management Tool and can be accesses via elevated control line using slmgr.vbs.

There are a multifariousness of parameters to apply with slmgr.vbs including:

1. /dli (This will show basic license and activation information.)
2. /dlv (This volition bear witness detailed license and activation information.)
3. /xpr (This will prove the current expiration engagement of the license installed which is almost useful when using a KMS fundamental with a local KMS activation server on the network.)
4. /upk (Exist conscientious with this one as it will uninstall your current license cardinal.)
5. /cpky (Too be conscientious with this one equally this removes license key information from the registry.)
6. /ipk *****-*****-*****-*****-***** (This will alter your license key to the i entered. If there was no central entered previously this command will also endeavour to activate the license based on the license key type.)
7. /ato (This volition force an online activation immediately. This could exist useful if you accept already entered the new primal but was non online with either the KMS server for the network or unable to reach Microsoft's activation servers.)

When a new installation of Windows Server 2019 that is not accepting the key from the GUI, the /ipk parameter is what we would use. From an elevated control prompt, enter (where the asterisks are your actual license key):

slmgr.vbs /ipk *****-*****-*****-*****-*****

Microsoft recommends restarting your server following using this command. Doing these in combination should evidence an activated server from Server Manager on side by side boot.

If it does not, run this from an elevated command prompt:

slmgr.vbs /ato

Information technology will likely give you an error with a reason why it wasn't able to activate using the provided key similar this for example:

An outcome like the one above will need to be rectified past either using a dissimilar MAK key that has activations left, or a call into Microsoft.

Do you have questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to our It experts for help!

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