Build6000.com - How To: Activate a Windows Server 2008 Core Installation

How To: Activate a Windows Server 2008 Core Installation

Tuesday, 18 September 2007

Windows Server 2008 Core contains a script in the %windir%\System32 folder

named SLMGR.VBS. The script provides a number of functions related to operating system activation and current license information This script also exists in Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Full Install and can be run remotely against the Windows Server 2008 Core server. To view the available options for this script type the following command.

cscript slmgr.vbs /?

*Windows Server 2008 Core **slmgr.vbs** Utility Options.*
Option	Parameter	Description
ipk	product key=""	Install product key (replaces existing key)
upk	na	Uninstall product key
ato	na	Activate Windows
dli	Activation ID/All	Display license information (default: current license)
dlv	Activation ID/All	Display detailed license information (default: current license)
xpr	na	Expiration date for current license state
cpky	na	Clear product key from the registry
ilc	License file	Install license
rilc	na	Re-install system license files
rearm	na	Reset the licensing status of the machine
dti	na	Display Installation ID for offline activation
atp	Confirmation ID	Activate product with user-provided Confirmation ID

Viewing the Current License Details

Before activating the operating system, you should examine the current license state and grace period details.

At the command prompt, type the following command
```
cscript slmgr.vbs –xpr
```
Details for the remaining grace period for the currently installed license are displayed.
To view more information about the current license, type the following command from the command prompt
```
cscript slmgr.vbs -dli
```
This will show product key details, the grace period and remaining time on the grace period.

Activating the Windows Server 2008 Core Installation

To activate the server, type the following command at the command prompt.
```
cscript slmgr.vbs -ato
```
The server will attempt to activate, once completed successfully (this may take a few minutes) you should see a message saying that the product activated successfully.

To view the new activation details, you can rerun the two original commands to view the new activation status.

cscript slmgr.vbs –xpr 
– Will confim that the server has been activated
cscript slmgr.vbs –dli 
- Will display extended information about the activation.