How to extend evaluation period of Windows Server (2025)

If you have a trial version of Windows Server, this is how you can extend the evaluation period.

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Windows Server rearm

On Windows Server 2022, 2019, and older versions, you can extend the evaluation period beyond 180 days, and in this guide, you will learn how.

Although you can install virtually any version of Windows Server without a license and use all the features fully unlocked for an evaluation period of 180 days, after this period, you’re required to supply a valid product key to activate the installation. However, since the activation code for the server version of Windows can be expensive, Microsoft allows you to use a command to reset the trial period a few times, allowing you to continue using the operating system fully unlocked.

However, you can only perform this action a few times since the command will reset the evaluation period to 180 days and will decrease the “rearm” count by “1.” If the rearm count reaches “0,” you will not be able to rearm the license again.

This guide will teach you the steps to reset the trial period of a Windows Server installation.

Extend evaluation time of Windows Server

To rearm the evaluation copy of Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, and older versions, use these steps:

  1. Open Start on Windows Server.
  2. Search for Command Prompt (or PowerShell), right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
  3. Type the following command to view the details of the current license and press Enter: 
    slmgr /dlv
  4. Type the following command to reset the trial period of Windows Server and press Enter: 
    slmgr /rearm

    Windows Server rearm command

  5. Restart the server.
  6. Open Command Prompt again.
  7. Type the following command to confirm the extension of the trail and press Enter: 
    slmgr /dli

Once you complete the steps, the Windows Server installation will continue to be valid for another 180 days.

It is important to note that rearming a Windows Server trial does not activate the product. You will still need to purchase a full license if you want to continue using Windows Server after the evaluation period expires.

Finally, rearming a Windows Server trial license will not reset any changes that you have made to the operating system, and it’ll not remove any data from your server.