Upgrading Server License using DISM

[Updated Feb 2025] 

In this article, we are going to be upgrading a Servers OS from the standard evaluation edition to any other existing editions.

1. First run PowerShell (elevated mode - optional).
2. We want to know what editions are available for the server to upgrade to.
   The server I am currently using is running "Windows Server 2019 Standard Evaluation Edition."
   Run the command: DISM /Online /Get-TargetEditions
   
   
   
   
3. We want to upgrade to the Datacenter edition. To do that we will need a product key. [1]
   
   Operating system edition                        Product Key                                                    
   Windows Server 2019 Datacenter WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG
   Windows Server 2019 Standard         N69G4-B89J2-4G8F4-WWYCC-J464C
   Windows Server 2019 Essentials         WVDHN-86M7X-466P6-VHXV7-YY726
   
   
4. Run the command:
   DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:WMDGN-G9PQG-XVVXX-R3X43-63DFG /AcceptEula
   This will start the process of updating your Server.

Popular demand has it that Windows Server 2016 is a must use for light weight lab work hence, here are the codes to upgrade not only 2016 but also, Windows Server 2022.

Operating system edition                        Product Key                                                    

Windows Server 2016 Datacenter CB7KF-BWN84-R7R2Y-793K2-8XDDG

Windows Server 2016 Standard         WC2BQ-8NRM3-FDDYY-2BFGV-KHKQY

Windows Server 2016 Essentials          JCKRF-N37P4-C2D82-9YXRT-4M63B       

Windows Server 2022 Datacenter WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33

Windows Server 2022 Standard         VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H

Updated the name of the article to fit

I have already run this process on my AD server and was unable to grab a screenshot but otherwise the result would be your Server requiring a restart and then you will find your server as such:

Reference:

[1] Key Management Services (KMS) client activation and product keys for Windows Server and Windows | Microsoft Learn

Reading material:
[2] Convert Windows Server Evaluation to Full Version With DISM (softwarekeep.com)

Special thanks to the good old GitHub lads, with the multiple posts on the little keys I shared here.