How to extend the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period
Microsoft published a nice guide on how to reset Windows Server 2008 evaluation period and keep it active for 240 days.
Here is the summary:
This article describes how to extend, or re-arm, the Windows Server 2008 evaluation period. The evaluation period is also known as the “activation grace” period. These instructions apply to any edition of Windows Server 2008. This includes evaluation copies.
Full KB article:
Tarek Majdalani Says:
February 13th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Hi,
Can this be run multiple times ??
does this means user will never activate WIn2k8 ?????
Windows Networking Admin Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Well, you can run it 3 times. When you install Windows 2008 without a key the 60 day trial will start, you can run the utility to add another 60 days to your trial period. You can use the utility for 3 times giving you a total of 240 days.
But in 240 days it will expire completely, so you would need to activate it with a proper key. You can read about it in KB article.
Fred Says:
March 13th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Might be useful to list the URL for the trial: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc137233.aspx.