hi there, I've got a new server which came with OEM win2008r2 datacentre. The server has an OEM sticker with a "physical" and "virtual" serial number. Its now a virtual server and as I understand it I can use that license to cover any windows virtual machines running on this server. I've built a windows 2008 r2 standard VM and now need to activate it. I've tried the codes on the sticker but it doesn't work (presumably because thats for datacentre). How do I get the license code for the VM? Cheers, Al

Hello, I think it will be better to contact a licensing expert in your country. This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees , and confers no rights. Microsoft Student Partner 2010 / 2011 Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator: Security Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows 7, Configuring Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator

i beleive you erequest the downgrade media/key via this website : http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/downgrade-country.aspx

Hi, If you want to use the Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter license to active other version of Windows Server system, you have to call Microsoft License Center to downgrade it. Best Regards, Vincent Hu

thanks I will call.