Windows Server Trial License Renew

Windows Server offers users the opportunity to use a trial version for 180 days. During this period, you can test all system features and evaluate whether it meets your needs. However, when the trial period expires, licensing requirements come into play and you may encounter server operation restrictions. Fortunately, extending the trial period is a fairly simple process. In this article, I’ll explain step by step how you can easily renew the 180-day trial period on Windows Server.

What is the slmgr /rearm Command?

In Windows operating systems, slmgr (Software Licensing Management Tool) is one of the tools used for license management and is an important command for resetting and extending the trial period. The slmgr /rearm command allows you to restart the 180-day trial period by resetting the current trial period. By repeating this process three times, you can extend it up to a total of 540 days. This means you have the opportunity to test Windows Server with full features for an extended period.

Steps to Extend Windows Server Trial Period

Extending the trial period on Windows Server is quite straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access Command Prompt

First, right-click on the Start menu and click on Command Prompt (Administrator). This step is necessary to perform operations with administrator privileges.

Step 2: Enter the Command

Type the following command in the command prompt:

slmgr /rearm

Important Note: Some Windows versions may not accept the /rearm syntax. In this case, you can use the following alternative:

slmgr -rearm

After entering this command, the system will perform a brief operation and provide a confirmation message indicating success.

Step 3: Restart the Server

After seeing that the command has run successfully, you’ll need to restart your server. The restart process ensures that the trial period is reset and confirms that the operation is complete.

Step 4: Check the Trial Period

After restarting the server, you can use the following command to verify whether the trial period has actually been renewed:

slmgr /dlv

This command displays the system’s current license status and remaining days. You can verify from here that the trial period has been successfully reset.

Important Considerations

• Limited Uses: The /rearm command can only be used a limited number of times (3 times total)
• Maximum Extension: You can extend the trial period up to approximately 540 days in total
• Legal Requirements: When the licensing period ends, you’ll need to purchase a legal license

Conclusion

Windows Server’s 180-day trial period can be easily renewed using the slmgr /rearm or slmgr -rearm command. With this command, you can continue to use all features of your server at full capacity. However, remember that this process can only be performed a limited number of times (3 times), meaning you can use this method for approximately 540 days in total. When the licensing period expires, you’ll need to purchase a legal license.

By following the steps above to extend the trial period, you can use your Windows Server without interruption.

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