Activate Windows Server 2025 Standard
Installing and activating your key with slmgr, and checking that it worked
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On a server running Windows Server 2025 Standard, install and activate your key with slmgr from Command Prompt or PowerShell opened as administrator. The commands work the same way on Server Core and on Desktop Experience. A server installed from Microsoft's evaluation changes edition with DISM, so convert it first, as described in Convert a Windows Server 2025 evaluation to Standard.
Check the edition first
ServerStandard is ready to activate. ServerStandardEval or ServerDatacenterEval means an evaluation, which needs converting.
Install and activate the key
Run these commands, with your key in place of the X's. The first installs the key and the second activates it online.
Check that it worked
The window shows the edition, the licence channel and the activation status. slmgr /xpr shows whether the activation is permanent.
Without an internet connection
Windows Server can activate with a Confirmation ID from Microsoft's Product Activation Portal, using slmgr /dti to show the Installation ID and slmgr /atp to enter the Confirmation ID. Activate Windows when online activation doesn't work has the steps.
Changing the key later
Switching between retail, volume and OEM keys of the same edition only needs slmgr /ipk with the new key, and the edition stays as it is. A product key only activates the server. The number of cores, virtual machines and users you're entitled to comes from the licences you hold, as How Windows Server 2025 Standard is licensed explains.