Windows Server 2016 – Converting from Evaluation to Full Edition

Windows Server 2016 is available as a 180 day trial. Failure to activate within this timeframe will cause issues with the servers, such as powering off as well as issues with patching.

I recently rebuilt my HomeLab with Windows Server 2016 domain controllers, and realized that is currently still in evaluation mode. So i need to activate to ensure that i dont have any issues down the track.

Step #	Instructions	Screenshot
1	Open a command prompt and run the following command: DISM /Online /Get-TargetEditions
2	Now that you have confirmed that your server is eligible to be upgraded continue on.
3	Run the following command: DISM /Online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:<ProductKey> /AcceptEULA
4	Press Y to restart the computer when prompted.
5	Run the following command once the server has been restarted to confirm the version. DISM /Online /Get-CurrentEdition

SCOM Evaluation Period Has Finished

Was performing some checks on an environment and decided to check to see what SCOM was reporting. Open SCOM Console. Running SCOM 2012 R2 on Windows Server 2008 R2.

Couldn’t Connect. No descriptive error.

Opened Event Viewer, expanded Applications and Services Logs and click Operations Manager.

Found the following error that advised that I had exceeded the evaluation period.

To resolve, you need to licence SCOM with a valid licence.

Opened Operations Manager Shell on the Management Server and run the following script:

Set-SCOMLicence –ProductID 'ProductKey'