Window 2003 Activation Key
Updated: April 16, 2009
By Doug Thompson
Large Server Manufacturers known as Original Equipment Manufacturers OEMs have the ability to pre-activate Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 software installed on new Server. As a result, end users are typically not required to activate the software during the set up process by typing in the product key found on the Certificate of Authenticity attached to the Server COA Key. Due to the form factor and typical installations of server hardware it is not always easy for the product key to be read during the set up process. To help minimize the potential impact on licensed users, this whitepaper provides steps licensed end users can take to preserve OEM pre-activation when reinstalling the operating system using any of the three scenarios outlined below sysprep, manual, and unattended.
The following product keys should be substituted for XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX in the solutions discussed below.
Note: OEM Recovery media must be used as the source for the re-installation.
Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition x86
PWBJC-22697-D4CVH-FCJWW-DTF9J
Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition x64
XCP6P-7WVXP-F8FQ4-JV6CD-6XV28
Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition x86
XHPV3-PTCWJ-7Y94F-Q6BVH-J849J
Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition x64
WQ3GW-Y8GQW-8VJYB-JYM43-D24C8
Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition x86
FXYF6-VTXGX-3JPX9-HJ9K4-6TKTW
Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition x64
KDX8X-FYW4T-C6D9J-BKM6M-M89TW
Windows Server 2003 R2 Web Edition x86
GM8KD-GB7JY-QGQYP-XRV74-RT728
For any of the solutions outlined below, you can verify that the OEM pre-activation has been preserved by clicking Start - Run and typing SYSTEMROOT system32 oobe msoobe.exe /A and then click OK. If the procedure was successful, a message indicating that Windows has already been activated will be displayed.
Note:Instead of implementing any of the solutions outlined below, Volume License customers can use Volume License media to install the same operating system that was licensed from an OEM without acquiring a volume license for a Server being re-imaged. More information about this option is available here under Re-Imaging Rights :
I. Using sysprep –reseal –mini Command
OEM pre-activation can be preserved when Sysprep.exe is run to reseal the system using the –reseal – mini switches by following these steps.
Create a file named sysprep.inf using a text editor such as Notepad that contains the information shown below substituting the appropriate product key.
UserData
ProductKey XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Save the sysprep.inf file in the c: sysprep folder.
Run c: sysprep –reseal –mini
For more information on the sysprep process, please visit
II. Manual Install
OEM pre-activation can be preserved when doing a manual installation by inserting the appropriate product key listed above when prompted for a product key by Windows setup. If you run sysprep –reseal –mini following the manual install, you will need to follow the steps outlined in Section I.
III. Unattended Install
OEM pre-activation can be preserved if you use an unattended answer file Unattend.txt or Winnt.sif to automate installation by including the information shown below in the answer file substituting the appropriate product key listed above. If you run sysprep –reseal –mini following an unattended install, you will need to follow the steps outlined in Section I.
For more information on sysprep process, please visit.
Is there a way to change the activation code for a Windows Server 2003 and not reinstall the system again.
Preserving OEM Pre-Activation when Re-installing Windows Server 2003 R2
Jun 16, 2011 Windows server 2003 R2 standard Navigate to the following registry key: as it hacks activation stuff and Windows may change back the.
- Jan 21, 2005 Microsoft developed Product Activation for Windows Server 2003 operating systems to The product key can now be used to install Windows on that.
- Jul 31, 2004 Activation, Registration, and Internet Communication Windows Server 2003 Updated: July 31, 2004. Applies To: Windows Server 2003 with SP1.
- The volume license key, leaked and posted online, allows Windows Server 2003 to be installed on multiple systems without the activation process required for single.
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