Windows Server 2025 Datacenter: Installation and Activation Guide

This guide installs and activates Windows Server 2025 Datacenter bought from license4u.co.

1. Get the installation media. Download the Windows Server 2025 ISO from the Microsoft Evaluation Center or use your existing media, and boot the host from it.
2. Install choosing Windows Server 2025 Datacenter (Desktop Experience) or Server Core, and complete setup.
3. Convert from evaluation to full edition (skip if you already installed from full media). In an administrator Command Prompt run:
   DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:YOUR-KEY /AcceptEula
   then restart.
4. Activate with slmgr /ipk YOUR-KEY then slmgr /ato. Check with slmgr /dlv.
5. Optional: enable AVMA for guests. Inside each Windows Server VM on this activated host, apply the appropriate AVMA key with slmgr /ipk and the guest activates automatically through the host.

Converting an existing Standard install

Run DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:YOUR-KEY /AcceptEula on the Standard server, restart, then slmgr /ato. No reinstall is needed.

If activation fails

Check DISM /Online /Get-CurrentEdition reports ServerDatacenter, not the Eval edition, and that the host can reach the internet. Use slui 4 for phone activation if needed, or email support@license4u.co with your order number and error code.

Buy the licence here: Windows Server 2025 Datacenter.