Trouble Activating nested hyper-v windows server 2022 standard edition

Etienne Devignes 0 Reputation points
2024-01-22T15:14:14.3366667+00:00

Hello,

First time posting, please excuse my poor english

I have trouble activating Hyper-V virtual machine using the 2 VMs allowed by windows server 2022 standard licence of my host. Here is what I'm working with:

  • 1 Windows server standard 16 core licence key covering 2 products (below a screenshot of my microsoft administration center)
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  • 2 virtual Windows server 2022 (each 6 core at the moment) expected tu be used as hyper-v host
    • intalled on vmware ESXi 8
    • activated with the licence key mentionned above
  • On one of the windows server already activated, Hyper-V role is installed and 1 Hyper-V VM on windows server 2022 standard is running but not activated yet

As AVMA is not available on windows server standard edition, I figured I should be installing the license key mentionned above in the Hyper-V nested VM so it can be activated as stated in the microsoft pricing page.

I Tried installing it with slmgr.vbs or dism.exe but for both of these methods, when I check the activation status, the error code 0xC004C020 tells me that the licence has run out of possible activations.

As I only licensed 2 instances of windows server as hosts for hyper-v, I should be able to activate 2 hyper-v instances of windows server standard within each of them.

Am I missing something here? Is the fact that hyper-V hosts are virtual machines forbid me to activate hyper-V nested VM with the same license key? Is it something about promiscious mode or forged transmits mode on the esxi vswitch?

Thanks in advance if you have any hint to provide!

Windows Server
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A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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A Windows technology providing a hypervisor-based virtualization solution enabling customers to consolidate workloads onto a single server.
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Windows Server Infrastructure
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Infrastructure: A Microsoft solution area focused on providing organizations with a cloud solution that supports their real-world needs and meets evolving regulatory requirements.
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  1. Thameur-BOURBITA 32,621 Reputation points
    2024-01-22T16:07:43.4366667+00:00

    Hi @Etienne Devignes Can you try to activate your guest windows server 2022 using this avma key :

    YDFWN-MJ9JR-3DYRK-FXXRW-78VHK

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    AVMA keys

    Please don't forget to accept helpful answer

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  2. Ian Xue (Shanghai Wicresoft Co., Ltd.) 33,301 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-01-24T07:14:01.8066667+00:00

    Hi Etienne,

    Hope you're doing well. It seems that you are trying to activate a Hyper-V virtual machine using the Windows Server 2022 Standard license key. However, the error code 0xC004C020 indicates that the license has run out of possible activations. According to Microsoft's documentation, Windows Server 2022 Standard allows for two free virtual machine guest licenses. To activate these licenses, you can follow these steps:

    1. Download and install the Windows Server 2022 ISO for your guest VMs.
    2. Once installed, you will have an evaluation version of the operating system. Make sure all Windows updates are installed so that all components are available.
    3. Open an elevated command prompt or PowerShell window and run the following commands: slmgr.vbs /upk slmgr.vbs /cpky slmgr.vbs /ipk <product key> Replace "<product key>" with the key from the COA label that came with the server.
    4. Run the following commands to activate guest VMs: slmgr /upk slmgr /ipk <product key> slmgr /ato Replace "<product key>" with the new license key. If you have already tried these steps and are still encountering issues, it is possible that the license key has been used up. In this case, you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance. Regarding your question about whether the fact that Hyper-V hosts are virtual machines forbids you from activating Hyper-V nested VM with the same license key, it is not the case. You should be able to activate two Hyper-V instances of Windows Server Standard within each of the two virtual Windows Server 2022 hosts. I hope this helps!

    Best Regards,

    Ian Xue

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

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