Part 1: Downloading the Evaluation Version
- Visit the official Microsoft Evaluation Center: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2016
- Click on “Download the ISO” or a similar option.
- You may need to fill out a form with some basic information.
- Choose your preferred language and select either the 64-bit or 32-bit version (64-bit is recommended for most modern systems).
- Download the ISO file.
Part 2: Installing the Evaluation Version
- Create a bootable USB drive or burn the ISO to a DVD.
- Boot your server from this media.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows Server 2016 Evaluation.
- When asked for a product key, select the option to install without a product key.
Part 3: Upgrading to Full Version
To upgrade to a full version, you need a valid license key from Softwarelicense4u.com .
- Once you have a valid license key, open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Use the following DISM command to upgrade and activate your server:
dism /online /set-edition:<edition> /productkey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /accepteula
Replace
<edition>
with the appropriate edition name (e.g., ServerStandard, ServerDatacenter) and replace the X’s with your actual product key. - Wait for the process to complete. Your server may restart several times.
- After the upgrade is complete, verify your activation status by going to Settings > System > About.
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