Install and activate Hyper-V Windows Server Guest 2022 / 2025

If you want to install a Window Server 2022 / 2025 Datacenter or Standard and you have hit the activation issue, you are not alone.

I asume you followed the steps of downloading the OS from Windows Server Evaluation.

If using Windows Server 2022:

Windows Server 2022 | Microsoft Evaluation Center

Windows Server 2022 introduces advanced multi-layer security, hybrid capabilities with Azure, and a flexible application platform.

Microsoft Evaluation Center

If using Windows Server 2025:

Windows Server 2025 | Microsoft Evaluation Center

Windows Server 2025 delivers next-generation security improvements, and hybrid cloud capabilities into a modernized and future ready platform.

Microsoft Evaluation Center

After the Standard Evaluation Server is installed, these are the commands, in PowerShell, as Administrator to run below.

This command will get you the current edition that is installed. 

dism /online /Get-CurrentEdition

This will show you the information where to upgrade TO from the evaluation edition of server:

dism /online /Get-TargetEditions

The last command will take a few minutes to activate and will have to reboot after it completes.

If you go with Windows Server 2022 Standard use the command below:

dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:YDFWN-MJ9JR-3DYRK-FXXRW-78VHK /AcceptEula

If you go with Windows Server 2022 DataCenter use the command below:

dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:W3GNR-8DDXR-2TFRP-H8P33-DV9BG /AcceptEula

Check the keys here for Windows Server 2025.

Details for the keys: 

Automatic Virtual Machine Activation in Windows Server

Automatic Virtual Machine Activation (AVMA) acts as a proof-of-purchase mechanism, helping to ensure that Windows products are used in accordance with the Product Use Rights and Microsoft Software License Terms.

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