We have a VM (Virtual Machine) Windows Server Standard 2012 120 day Eval. This is running as a production server. We have a Windows Server Standard R2 2012 OEM license to activate and cease the evaluation version. When we try to activate it under the system properties screen it says, "This key didn't work. Please check it and try again, or try another key." We have verified the key with Microsoft and our OEM vendor.

We tried doing the DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition, DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions, DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula. The response we get is this:

Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.2.9200.16384

Image Version: 6.2.9200.16384


Error: 0x8a010001

The specified product key could not be validated.
Check that the specified product key is valid and that it matches the target edition.

The DISM log file can be found at C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

Please help. We have to do this to 2 production systems. We have spent hours on the phone with Microsoft being passed from department to department. There has to be a way to activate these systems. Thanks in advance!

Dave A.

You cannot use an OEM license to activate a non-OEM server installation. Take a look at this article for details about OEM license restrictions:

Windows Server OEM licensing

In addition to what Gleb states, you cannot activate a 2012 installation with a 2012 R2 key.  Though a 2012 R2 license gives you downgrade rights, it does not provide you with downgrade activation keys.  You would need to get that from your OEM.

Hi Dave,

Agree with Gleb and Tim.

Besides, about the problems of license, we could ask Activation Center for help:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers.aspx

Best Regards,

Leo