I have recently purchased 4 servers from Dell with pre-installed Windows server 2012 R2 version. I have also received 4 OS DVDs. During the initial configuration, I did reinstall the OS on a server where it did not prompt me to key in the product key anywhere during the installation and also post successful installation. Please let me know how this works on Windows server 2012 R2.

Hi,

What is the activation status?

Regards,

Matthijs

Hi,

What is the activation status?

Regards,

Matthijs

• Proposed as answer by M. ter Horst 10 hours 45 minutes ago

Since you purchased the servers with pre-installed Windows Server 2012 R2, this means that you purchased what is called an OEM license.  If you also purchased the media from Dell, they most likely provided you with their 'special sauce' for installation.  If you used Dell's media for installation, and used their installation process, it most likely automatically keyed the installation for you; that's why you were not asked for a key.

A M. ter Horst shows you in the screen shot, at the bottom of that window you will be able to see whether or not Windows is activated.

If you have any issues with the installation, you need to contact Dell.  By selling you an OEM license, they have taken on support responsibilities for general Windows installation.

@M. ter Horst, Sorry for the delayed response. Yes, I can see windows is activated and the product id is same on all servers

@Tim Cerling Thank you for the explanation

• Edited by windowsserveradmin 6 hours 19 minutes ago

Hi,

The two replies gave the correct information.

If you have any doubt about your device, we could ask DELL support for help:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/dhs?c=us&l=en&ST=dell%20support&dgc=ST&cid=262026&lid=4740840&acd=123098073120560&ven1=sPoimvGOT&ven2=e&ven3=272502240301145185 

If you have any further questions of licensing, we could ask Activation Center for help:
Microsoft Volume Licensing Activation Centers worldwide telephone numbers:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers.aspx

Best Regards,

Leo

Hi,

No problem. Glad all is well... ;-)

Can you please mark the solutions as Answer?

Thanks!