How to activate Windows Server using a Windows Server license?

How to activate Windows Server using a Windows Server license?

Get activation key as following:

To activate Windows Server using a product key, follow these steps:

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### Step-by-Step Activation Guide

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

   Press `Win + X` and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).

2. Install the Product Key

   Run the command: 

   slmgr /ipk <Your-25-digit-product-key>

   Replace `<Your-25-digit-product-key>` with your valid license key.

3. Activate Online

   Execute the activation command: 

   slmgr /ato

   This connects to Microsoft’s activation servers to validate the key.

4. Verify Activation Status  

   Check successful activation with: 

slmgr /xpr

or

slmgr /dlv

   (Displays detailed license information.)

### Graphical Interface Method

- Go to Settings > System > Activation and enter the product key under Update product key.

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Common Questions: 

My server has 32 cores, and I also purchased the additional core license WINSVR2022STD ADLIC(2 CORE) NOKEYAPOS. How can I acknowledge whether my additional core license has been activated? If it is not activated, will it affect my normal use?

Answer:

Windows Server 2022 Standard or later covers 16 physical cores per license. For a server with more than 16 cores, you need to purchase Additional Core License (ADLIC). But ADLIC is used for compliance configuration—it's essentially just a piece of paper with no activation key and requires no additional activation steps. One only need to activate the standard license when activating.