How To: Activate a Windows Server 2008 Core Installation PDF Print E-mail
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.
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Marcus Walshe
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This is a test entry, full details following shortly.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 06 November 2007 )
 
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