Since you're using volume license product keys you should have also used volume center download so the channels line up. As a work around you can try using kms keys as intermediate step.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys#windows-server-2012-r2
(below assumes 2012 R2 Standard)
Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /AcceptEula /ProductKey:D2N9P-3P6X9-2R39C-7RTCD-MDVJX
then after reboot
(below using your volume product key)
slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
slmgr /ato
--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
Change Windows Server 2012 Product Key - Software & Applications - Spiceworks Community
Finding windows server 2012r2 standard product key
During the testing, I activated Windows Server 2012 R2 on my personal computer using a product key. Can this product key be used on another server? If not, how can it be resolved?
Where can I get a Windows Server 2012 r2 product key ?
Since you're using volume license product keys you should have also used volume center download so the channels line up. As a work around you can try using kms keys as intermediate step.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys#windows-server-2012-r2
(below assumes 2012 R2 Standard)
Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /AcceptEula /ProductKey:D2N9P-3P6X9-2R39C-7RTCD-MDVJX
then after reboot
(below using your volume product key)
slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
slmgr /ato
--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
Hi @lovel echiverri
Seems you missed to pull the product key from machine 1 before rebuild...
From machine 2 :command prompt as administrator --- wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
slmgr /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
slmgr /ato
above commands should tell you original licenses /product keys
Frm machine 2 ---
Open Notepad.
Copy and paste the following text into the notepad window
function Get-WindowsKey {
## function to retrieve the Windows Product Key from any PC
## by Jakob Bindslet (******@bindslet.dk)
param ($targets = ".")
$hklm = 2147483650
$regPath = "Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion"
$regValue = "DigitalProductId"
Foreach ($target in $targets) {
$productKey = $null
$win32os = $null
$wmi = [WMIClass]"\$target\root\default:stdRegProv"
$data = $wmi.GetBinaryValue($hklm,$regPath,$regValue)
$binArray = ($data.uValue)[52..66]
$charsArray = "B","C","D","F","G","H","J","K","M","P","Q","R","T","V","W","X","Y","2","3","4","6","7","8","9"
## decrypt base24 encoded binary data
For (
i -ge 0; $i--) {
$k = 0
For (
j -ge 0; $j--) {
$k = $k * 256 -bxor $binArray[
binArray[$j] = [math]::truncate(
k = $k % 24
}
$productKey = $charsArray[
productKey
If ((
i -ne 0)) {
$productKey = "-" + $productKey
}
}
$win32os = Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem -computer $target
$obj = New-Object Object
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty Computer -value $target
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty Caption -value $win32os.Caption
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty CSDVersion -value $win32os.CSDVersion
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty OSArch -value $win32os.OSArchitecture
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty BuildNumber -value $win32os.BuildNumber
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty RegisteredTo -value $win32os.RegisteredUser
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty ProductID -value $win32os.SerialNumber
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty ProductKey -value $productkey
$obj
}
}
Save the text above into a file with the ".ps1" extension on the Desktop. Example key.ps1
Open the Powershell console as administrator and type in Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned
Next type in Import-Module C:\users\"username"\desktop**key.ps1**; Get-WindowsKey
=====
(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, Thank You)
Regards,
J.D.
Disclaimer: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties or guarantees, and confers no rights.
The reason you can't activate it is because you are not connected to the internet. I learn it the hard way. 2012 R2's error is very generic. When you put the license key, it try active the license right way. Because you dont have internet, it cant verify it.
Here is for anyone who try activate over phone on machine that has no internect connection.
Here is the trick I finally figured out.
You can't activate windows by phone because you have not put in the correct product key number. Here are the steps and I was able to activate over the phone. I have not see any one post these steps yet. I spent 4 days with Microsoft trying to get some helps. With other user's input and I was able to put together the complete steps.
1.To Change Product Key Number in a Command Prompt Open an elevated command prompt. In the elevated command prompt, type in the command below and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX in this command below with your actual product key number with dashes instead. slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
2.type slui.exe 4 to access the phone activation screen and follow the steps to activate over the phone.
Ok, I went back to MS Volume Licensing and downloaded the ISO file again for MS Server 2012r2 and I noticed that it was different that the one that I had previously installed. I reinstalled this OS on the server and my MAK key worked this time. So all is good again. Thank you for your input.
Darrell
So basically, I have some legacy software which cannot run on windows server higher than 2012 R2 and I am concerned with what may happen when one of our servers bites the dust. I have a few questions.
-
How does Windows server 2012 verify license status? My understanding is Microsoft runs a service that windows server 2012 reaches out to when a key is input to verify it is legit. Is this accurate, and if so will this service ever be shut down. Will there be a time when I can no longer activate a 2012 install even with a legitimate key?
-
Is there any 100% legitimate way to buy a windows server 2012 R2 key still today? I talked to a couple Microsoft Representatives who told me no, but I don't know if they are trustworthy.