Convert Windows Server 2022 Evaluation to Standard (DISM command)
The Evaluation edition stops working after 180 days, but you don't have to reinstall. One DISM command converts it to the full Standard edition and keeps your roles, apps and data.
Updated 7 October 202601Before you start
- A Windows Server 2022 Standard product key (25 characters).
- Sign in as an administrator and save your work: the server restarts during the conversion (sometimes twice).
- Domain controllers can't be converted. If the server is a domain controller, demote it first, convert it, then promote it again.
02Check which edition is installed
Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as administrator and run:
DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition
If it shows ServerStandardEval (or ServerDatacenterEval), you're on the Evaluation edition. To see which editions it can be converted to:
DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions
You should see ServerStandard in the list.
03Convert to Standard with your key
Run this command, replacing the X's with your product key:
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX /AcceptEula
Wait until it reaches 100% and type Y when it asks to restart. The conversion finishes during the restart, which can take several minutes.
04Activate Windows Server
After the restart, run DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition again: it should now say ServerStandard. Then activate:
slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX slmgr /ato
Check the result with slmgr /xpr. Full details are in how to install and activate Windows Server 2022.
05If DISM doesn't accept your key
Some keys can't be used directly in the DISM step (you may see an error such as "the specified product key is not valid for the target edition"). In that case, convert with Microsoft's public setup key for Server 2022 Standard, then put your own key in afterwards:
DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H /AcceptEula
This key only changes the edition; it doesn't activate anything. After the restart, run slmgr /ipk with your key and slmgr /ato as in step 3.
06Other common problems
- "This operation is not supported on a domain controller": demote the server first (Server Manager → Remove Roles and Features → Active Directory Domain Services).
- Error 87 or "unknown option": check the spelling and that there is no space after the colons (
/Set-Edition:ServerStandard). - Conversion stuck at a percentage: leave it running; it can sit at 10% or 100% for several minutes.
- Activation error 0xC004F050 or 0xC004C003: see Windows activation errors.
07Need a key?
Windows Server 2022 Standard is a one-time purchase covering 16 cores, delivered by email. Not sure it fits your setup? Ask us before buying.
