Hi Andy, Did you make sure your command-line is right? I guess your input arguments may have some thing wrong. Please try those steps: Cause: Whilst this is not obvious, this is caused by having the wrong product key. In my case I had installed Windows 2012 server and had not yet entered a product key. On the Windows Activation screen it showed: Windows isn't activated Current edition Windows Server 2012 Standard Current product key ****-92BT4 Why a meaningful error couldn't be displayed or the option provided to change the product key, I don't know.

Remedy: The solution is simply to enter a new or correct product key and try activating again. There are two ways to enter (or change) the product key, use whichever you are most comfortable with: • Use Windows Activation Tool: • Click the 'Start' button until the Start screen is shown. • Type ' slui.exe 0x3' (without the quotes) • This should bring up the search box and you should see 'slui.exe 0x03' highlighted on the left in a box - click that box. • A dialog box should now display titled 'Windows Activation'. Enter your server product key there, and you should then be able to activate windows from that dialog. • Use Software Licensing Manager Tool: • Run 'Command Prompt' using 'Run as administrator'.

You know if you can activate windows server 2012 evaluation standard. Windows Server 2012 Standard or Windows Server 2012 Datacenter, you can. (from Microsoft) the evaluation version of Server Standard 2012 R2,. Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter, W3GGN-FT8W3-Y4M27-J84CP-Q3VJ9. To associate your key with our automated activation system, enter the command.

• In the command prompt box enter: slmgr -upk and press return. You should then see a box titled 'Windows Script Host' and containing the message 'Uninstalled product key successfully.'

• Now that the previous product key has been removed you can enter a new product key, so in the same command prompt box enter: slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx inserting your product key in the above. • You will then need to go back to Windows Activation to activate windows. • Enter: slui.exe and press return to bring up the Windows activation dialog, from where you should now be able to activate windows. Also, you could refer to this: Thanks -Billgiee.

All of the examples provided are installation keys only; they will not activate your installed version of Windows. They are the default keys that are inserted if you choose to skip entering a Product Key during the installation process. The product keys listed in this section can be used with any of the answer files and scripted examples. They are blocked at the Microsoft clearinghouse and therefore cannot be used to activate any systems. They provide a number of days for you to complete the activation process. The keys supplied are not architecture dependent.

It is absolutely essential that you use the correct type of key, which is a function of the edition type. Choose the key corresponding to which edition of Windows you wish to install.