Knowledge Base

How to Renew a Windows Server License? (Free)

Virtual servers running Windows typically use trial licenses. This article will explain how to renew your license very simply and concisely with a single command.

After logging into your virtual server via RDP or console, follow the steps below.

License Extension Steps

1. Open Command Prompt (CMD) as an administrator. Type "cmd" in the Start menu, then right-click and select Run as administrator.
   
   
   
   
   
2. The license renewal command will be entered in this window. Type the slmgr -rearm command and activate it with Enter.
   
   
   
   
   
3. After the command completes successfully, the system will display the following message:
   
   
   
   
   Command completed successfully. Please restart the system for the changes to take effect.”
   
   
   
   
   
4. As a final step, you need to restart your server. You can see the number of days your license has been renewed when the server restarts.

The slmgr -rearm command can generally be used three times.
When your command limit expires, we recommend formatting the operating system instead of using third-party licensing tools.
After formatting, the time will be reset and you will have the right to enter the command again.