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How do providers deal with Windows Server Evaluation after 180 days?
I’m interested in cheap Windows VPS plans, but many of them only provide Windows Server Evaluation for 180 days.
What normally happens after that?
Do providers reinstall a fresh image, offer SPLA/licensed Windows, require BYOL, or is there another common solution?
I’d like to hear how providers and long-term Windows VPS users usually handle this.
Thanks!
Comments
BYOL of course.
You can use rearm a couple of times to extend the evaluation period. No clue if that has changed but I'm certain it still works.
https://massgrave.dev/
Man of Culture!
Open Start on Windows Server.
Search for Command Prompt (or PowerShell), right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to view the details of the current license and press Enter:
slmgr /dlvslmgr /rearmRestart the server.
Open Command Prompt again.
Type the following command to confirm the extension of the trail and press Enter:
slmgr /dliProviders don’t do anything and it shuts down on itself unless you activate or rearm it using one of the methods listed in the above comments. Tbh, it’s just one line of powershell command to activate it permanently using MAS scripts
Sounds very legit..... not
One important thing is knowing what licensing model the provider supports after the evaluation period. And depending on the provider, that can mean a properly licensed Windows Server deployment, BYOL where permitted, or a new evaluation environment.
When the 180-day trial expires, your data stays safe, but the VPS will automatically shut down every hour.
The easiest fix is running slmgr -rearm in Command Prompt as an administrator to reset the timer for another 180 days—you can do this up to 6 times for nearly 3 years of free use. Otherwise, people usually activate it permanently using a KMS script, enter their own license key, or just reinstall a fresh image from the control panel.
Back up the data, reinstall, restore data.
It all depends on the client's wishes. Many people just buy a license after the trial period. Although there are those who just make backups and reinstall Windows.
I wonder if I can install Windows 11 on a VPS when the time comes.
More often then not, if they do not have a MAK license for Windows, they are only offering you the 180 evaluation followed by you purchasing your own license.
We don't offer Windows at the moment but if we did it would be a BYOL type situation and it would be clearly stated on purchase hence it wouldn't cost anything more to choose a Windows VPS as both parties would understand.
Then of course there is always, well there is coughMasscough grave...ah..