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A Dell PowerEdge server was supplied with an OEM install of Server 2022 Std and no media. After installing the Hyper-V role on the new box you then need to install the guest OS but you have a bit of a problem: You need the software and a method of activating it.
First, download the ISO of the corresponding version of the OS from the Microsoft Evaluation Center; install and configure the guest in Hyper-V as normal.
Secondly, do not try and activate via the GUI. Take a note of the OEM key from the CoA that should be attached to the server (or supplied licences) – remembering to scratch off the additional panel if required – then open an administrative command prompt (in the guest) and enter:
slmgr.vbs /dlv
This will produce a window that will show the currently installed version, e.g. ServerStandardEval
You can then check which version(s) you can actually activate:
DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions
The returned result(s) will include a list of valid server versions that you can try and activate (but do not try and activate a version for which you do not have the licence, i.e. there is no point trying to activate DataCenter version with a Standard licence key). To convert the Eval into the fully activated version for which you have a key, enter the following command:
DISM /online /Set-Edition:<edition> /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
[Note: substitute <edition> for the version you are trying to activate, for example ServerStandard, and enter your product key obtained from the physical server]
The system will run through a short process and then prompt for a reboot. Following the restart you may login and can confirm that your guest OS is now correctly activated (both in the GUI and via the first command shown above).
