asked on

Hyper-V licensing issue

Have a Hyper-V host that was originally built with Win2012R2 data center evaluation copy downloaded from the Microsoft site.

It was decided to use an SPLA licence for this machine - but of course the SPLA key can't activate the evaluation version.

So exported the VMs that need to be retained going forward and reinstalled the host OS with the version from VLSC.

Imported all the VMs - all working.

Then realised that the VMs themselves have the evaluation licences on as well - so can't activate them with the SPLA key.

Is there any way to resolve this without having to rebuild all the existing VMs?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Svet Paperov

Converting Windows Server evaluation version to a full one should be possible without reinstalling the server.

slmgr.vbs /ipk allows changing the product key from PowerShell http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn502540.aspx

Another option is to use DISM. The following blog talks about activating an evaluation version: http://blogs.technet.com/b/blainbar/archive/2013/03/06/article-converting-evaluation-versions-of-windows-server-2012-to-full-versions.aspx

David Johnson, CD

must run command prompt as an administrator
slmgr -upk (this removes the current Product Key)
slmgr -ipk XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX (this installs the new Product Key)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2750773

devon-lad

ASKER

Andrew - have spoken to Microsoft and they say it's a reinstall that's required - no way around it.

Svet and David - your solutions assume using a non-SPLA key

Have reinstalled.