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I have downloaded and installed the Windows Server 2012 R2 evaluation version from Microsoft's Evaluation Center website. We decided to go ahead and activate it to the full version. We bought a Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard DVD and attempted to use the Key provided with the DVD following the method described here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj574204.aspx

Yes, I did notice the mistake in the instructions and instead of finding out my version, I used "DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions" command to be able to get the correct parameter for the version of Windows Server I intend to upgrade to. The result was "ServerStandard".

So now, the new command is "DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey: /AcceptEula". I get the error the product key could not be validated. Check that the specified product key is valid and that it matches the target edition.

Does this mean that I won't be able to use the key from the DVD? Are they not the same edition? If they are, how do I go about activating the server? If the key can't be used, does this mean I will have to make a reinstall using the DVD?

Excuse me if this sounds like a question that can be answered through a simple Google search, but believe me, there is very little documentation, and that's why I'm turning to you guys.

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  • What happened when you started over and followed the directions as they were given? Jul 19, 2014 at 6:43
  • Tried that first. Same error. @Michael
    – Carlo71
    Jul 19, 2014 at 6:55

2 Answers 2

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Have you tried activating it with the slmgr command?

slmgr /ipk <key>

and then

slmgr /ato
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  • Ok I tried it after hours. After the first command, I received a message saying the product key is invalid. Then after the second command, I received a message saying that the product activation was successful. But, after reboot, I still have the desktop saying I'm still in evaluation mode. Also, do I need to include the dashes in the product key, or just type all the characters together?
    – Carlo71
    Jul 20, 2014 at 6:37
  • Very strange. And you're sure that your key is for the right version? (Datacenter,Standard) Yes the key can/should contain the dashes: slmgr /ipk XXXX-XXXX-XXX...
    – Christian
    Jul 20, 2014 at 7:47
  • And I found my mistake. I'm running Windows Server 2012 (non R2!), and the DVD I bought is R2... geez... Thanks anyway!
    – Carlo71
    Jul 21, 2014 at 3:01
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You can't use a Server 2012 R2 product key to activate Server 2012, and vice versa.

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  • I thought it was possible to get an R2 license with downgrade rights?
    – Colyn1337
    Nov 18, 2015 at 18:08
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    @Colyn1337 What are you downgrading from? Where did you hide your time machine? Nov 18, 2015 at 18:13
  • @Colyn1337 Not sure why you posted that, since it only confirms what I said above. You may have downgrade rights, but you still have to use a different product key. Nov 18, 2015 at 18:26
  • Does it? "Perform the downgrade process to the eligible downgrade product using the media/key from a genuine, previously licensed OEM or retail product."
    – Colyn1337
    Nov 18, 2015 at 18:28

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