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How to activate Windows server 2008 R2 trial software?

Locked How to activate Windows server 2008 R2 trial software?

  • Monday, January 04, 2010 7:16 AM
     
     
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    Hi,
        How do I get the activation key for windows server 2008 R2 evaluation software? With in 10 days of installation we need to activate which was mentioned by microsoft website, but where do I get this activation key?

    Thanks,
    naveen
       

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    • Tuesday, January 05, 2010 6:53 AM
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      Hi,

      Thanks for the post.

      For licensing issue, please call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. I believe it will be the best resource and will address your concern on this issue.

      Hope this helps.

      Miles

         
      • Tuesday, January 05, 2010 10:40 AM
         
         
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        Hi,
           Thanks for your reply. Well I spoke to Microsoft people in India by calling 1-800-102-1100 and they gave a reply that they are not supporting for Evaluation based softwares. Asked me to get the license key from the same website from where I downloaded the software, but from the same page I couldn't get any information about the Activation key etc. For the time being I rearmed the activation period for another 10 days so that It won't stop my work temporarily. But still the problem turns up after 10 more days. Any one helps me on this?

        Thanks & Regards,
        naveen.
           
        • Wednesday, January 06, 2010 3:18 AM
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          Hi Naveen,

          Thanks for the update.

          I think you need to purchase license key to activate the server; otherwise, you can only evaluate it for about 50 days.

          How to Buy Windows Server 2008 R2
          http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/how-to-buy.aspx

          Thanks,

          Miles
             
          • Monday, January 11, 2010 7:06 PM
             
             
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            Miles,

            Why does the evaluation software require activation after 10 days?

            I have called multiple 800 numbers at Microsoft, and no one can tell me why this happens or how to fix it.  I have re-installed the software, and after 10 days, it requires activation.

            Brian Arlinghaus

               
            • Monday, January 11, 2010 7:31 PM
               
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              Naveen,

              The following page talks about activation:

              http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/system-requirements.aspx

              "You do not need to enter a product key to evaluate any version of Windows Server 2008 R2 software, however activation is required within 10 days. Failing to activate the evaluation will cause the licensing service to shut down the machine every hour."

              You simply need to activate online.  When the software asks for product key, click next to use the default product key.  Then the product will be activated for 180 days.

              Brian
              • Proposed As Answer by Arlinghaus Monday, January 11, 2010 7:31 PM
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              • Friday, April 23, 2010 7:51 AM
                 
                 
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                I just found this thread using google.com - thus the reason for bringing it back to life.

                What I did was leave the Product Key blank, pressed Next (or was it Continue?) and it activated it for 180 days. No calling India or any other 3rd world country required.

                   
                • Sunday, May 23, 2010 2:47 PM
                   
                   
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                  I feel you brother - it needs to be more obvious on the "Activation Pop Up" . Thanks, this post saved me hours.

                  I would add a couple of points to this to help out anybody who has similar issue.....

                  Background: I did not activate server at first .. didn't know how and didn't take the time to find out b/c excited to move on to project, in any case after, 10 days it shut down....

                  1. I rebooted and the screen had black background and "Not genuine version" noted at the bottom of screen right.

                  2. I played around with the activation display box to try to figure out how to activate. Did a couple of things including going to where you add product key (didn't have one and couldn't find one emailed to me)  cancelled out of their and  lost the display box. I couldn't find how to get that activation screen back up....so

                  3.Rebooted the computer. The activation box popped up. Clicked "Yes" to activate my computer and "Yes" to Activate "through internet" . It didn't ask me or prompt me to do anything else....it just finished. The background screen was still black and the message on the bottom corner changed from "not genuine version" to say "valid for 180". 

                  4. Rebooted the Server- the background screen went back to default blue....and feeling back to normal.

                   Jamie

                     
                  • Monday, May 31, 2010 1:13 PM
                     
                     
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                    Activation of trail software is quite straightforward.

                    2-3 days ago I installed Windows Server 2008 R2, today I went to activate it, left product key text box blank and click next. A message box appears confirming do I want to activate my windows with the product key?. click yes and go next. It will say that windows server 2008 R2 is activated for 180 days.

                     

                       
                    • Thursday, June 03, 2010 9:03 AM
                       
                       
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                      Hi,

                      I am getting an error while activating an evaluation copy of Windows 2008 R2.

                      Error Code: 0x8007232B

                      Description: DNS name does not exist.

                      Please help

                         
                      • Thursday, June 03, 2010 4:43 PM
                         
                         
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                        Hello Gopakumar V K,

                        Hmm, that appears to Volume License media using the Default KMS client setup keys.

                        It doesn't appear to Eval media, to activate this install you may need to change the Product Key

                        Thanks, Darrell Gorter This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Volume Activation documentation on TechNet http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd197314.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd996588.aspx VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en
                           
                        • Friday, June 04, 2010 8:59 AM
                           
                           
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                          Thanks Darrel.

                          I'm using the .iso downloaded from the Microsoft site:  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=BA571339-5436-4CF5-9C37-6ED7DAB6F781&displaylang=en

                          Is there a key available for that media..?