leedesmond’s blog

During installation of Windows Server 2008 Core, it is possible to complete setup without specifying the product key. This means that you have up to 30 days from the installation date to test drive the product before it goes into reduced functionality mode, similar to that in Windows Vista.

In both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista, Windows Script Host v5.7 is the scripting engine delivered as part of the standard installation, no different from existing Windows version (from Windows 2000 onwards). You can use either the graphical (WScript.exe) or console (CScript.exe) version of WSH, both located at %windir%\System32. Sorry, there is no PowerShell in Windows Server 2008 Core as the .NET Framework is not part of the product i.e. no managed code support. Only native Win32 code applications can run under Server Core.

So how do you find out the grace period left? Both Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista ship with the Windows Software Licensing Management Tool in the form of a VBScript called slmgr.vbs at %windir%\System32. Pass the -xpr switch to slmgr.vbs as follows:

C:\>cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -xpr
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Initial grace period ends 7/20/2007 1:30:42 PM

To activate the product, use the -ato switch as illustrated:

To confirm that product activation is successful, do the following:

C:\>cscript C:\Windows\System32\slmgr.vbs -xpr
Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The machine is permanently activated.

Running slmgr.vbs on its own at the command line will list the available switches and their purposes. Finally, the important thing to remember is that the network interface card must be correctly configured prior to any attempt to carry out automatic Windows Server 2008 Core product activation (DNS functionality and network connectivity to the Internet required). Otherwise your only other options are to activate over the telephone or an in-house Key Management Server (KMS).

Tested on Windows Server 2008 Core Jun 2007 CTP.

Technorati tags: Longhorn, Windows Server Core 2008

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