: Enter the following command, replacing with your actual 25-digit retail or volume license key:
Technically, this is an "upgrade-in-place."
Converting Windows Server 2022 Evaluation to Standard edition requires using the tool . Standard activation through the Settings menu or slmgr alone will typically fail because the evaluation and retail product versions do not match. Conversion Procedure Open PowerShell : Run as an Administrator .
The process works reliably and saves hours of work. It loses points only because the command syntax ( dism vs slmgr ) is confusing for junior admins, and the requirement to use a generic key for the edition switch before using a real key for activation is counter-intuitive.