Convert a Server 2008 R2 trial license to a full license

Scenario

You’ve installed Windows Server 2008 R2 and are running it in “trial mode”.

You have a spare full license key, and you want to use this to convert the server from trial mode to the full version.

Solution

  1. Press WINKEY + r, then type oobe to open the Initial Configuration Tasks window.
  2. Click Activate Windows:
  3. Type in your Product Key, then click Next:
  4. Once activation has completed, you will see this message:

If you want to upgrade to different versions of Server 2008 R2, follow the links below: