Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard and Datacenter license key for physical and virtual servers, with no subscription.

$13.99

Standard · RetailOut of stock$13.99

Datacenter · RetailOut of stock$13.99

Prepared for you

This product is prepared for your order and is usually delivered within 5-60 minutes. We email you when it is ready.

Quantity

The product key is delivered digitally to your account
Activates on the official activation servers
Out of stock

About this license

Windows Server 2012 R2 is Microsoft's server operating system for file sharing, Active Directory, web hosting with IIS, Remote Desktop Services and Hyper-V virtualization. A release from October 2013. Microsoft's extended support ended in October 2023, so it no longer receives standard security updates. Choose it only to run a legacy application or test environment tied to this version. For internet-facing servers we recommend Windows Server 2025.

Key features

Hyper-V with generation 2 virtual machines and live migration
Storage Spaces with tiered storage (SSD and HDD together)
Work Folders to sync user files across devices
PowerShell Desired State Configuration to manage configuration as code

Standard or Datacenter?

Standard suits physical or lightly virtualized servers. A fully licensed server gets rights to run two virtual machines (operating system environments).
Datacenter suits heavily virtualized environments with unlimited virtual machines, and its roles and features match Standard.

Windows Server 2012 R2 is licensed per processor, with one license covering up to two physical processors. Every user or device that connects to the server also needs a Client Access License (CAL), and Remote Desktop Services needs RDS CALs on top.

License and delivery

The key activates once on a single server. If you reinstall the server from scratch after activation, the same key cannot be used again, so activate it after setup and drivers are done. Use the key within 24 hours of delivery. Each option shows its delivery type, and prepared delivery usually takes 5 to 60 minutes.

For other releases see Windows Server 2025, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016 or the Windows Server category. Every Microsoft product is on the brand page.

How to activate

Finish installing Windows Server 2012 R2 from Microsoft's installation media and make sure the edition (Standard or Datacenter) matches the option you bought.
Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Enter the key from your order with slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
Activate with slmgr /ato. Check the status with slmgr /xpr.
If the Evaluation edition is installed, first convert it with DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:KEY /AcceptEula (ServerDatacenter for Datacenter).

Frequently asked questions

Does the key work on an Evaluation installation?

The Evaluation edition does not activate with a product key directly. Convert it to the full edition with DISM /Set-Edition first, then activate with slmgr. The commands are in the activation steps.

What is the difference between Standard and Datacenter?

Standard gives a fully licensed server rights to two virtual machines. Datacenter gives unlimited virtual machines plus features only found in that edition, such as Storage Spaces Direct. Most roles and features are the same in both.

Do I need CALs?

Under Microsoft's licensing terms every user or device that accesses the server needs a Windows Server CAL, and Remote Desktop Services needs RDS CALs as well. This product is the server operating system key only.

Will the key work again if I reinstall the server?

No. The key activates once and cannot be reused after a clean install. Activate it once setup and configuration are finished.

When does the key arrive and how soon should I use it?

With automatic delivery it is delivered digitally to your order as soon as payment is confirmed. Prepared delivery usually takes 5 to 60 minutes. Activate the key within 24 hours of delivery.

Similar products

About this license

Key features

Hyper-V with generation 2 virtual machines and live migration
Storage Spaces with tiered storage (SSD and HDD together)
Work Folders to sync user files across devices
PowerShell Desired State Configuration to manage configuration as code

Standard or Datacenter?

Standard suits physical or lightly virtualized servers. A fully licensed server gets rights to run two virtual machines (operating system environments).
Datacenter suits heavily virtualized environments with unlimited virtual machines, and its roles and features match Standard.

License and delivery

For other releases see Windows Server 2025, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016 or the Windows Server category. Every Microsoft product is on the brand page.

How to activate

Finish installing Windows Server 2012 R2 from Microsoft's installation media and make sure the edition (Standard or Datacenter) matches the option you bought.
Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Enter the key from your order with slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
Activate with slmgr /ato. Check the status with slmgr /xpr.
If the Evaluation edition is installed, first convert it with DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:KEY /AcceptEula (ServerDatacenter for Datacenter).

Frequently asked questions

Does the key work on an Evaluation installation?

The Evaluation edition does not activate with a product key directly. Convert it to the full edition with DISM /Set-Edition first, then activate with slmgr. The commands are in the activation steps.

What is the difference between Standard and Datacenter?

Do I need CALs?

Will the key work again if I reinstall the server?

No. The key activates once and cannot be reused after a clean install. Activate it once setup and configuration are finished.

When does the key arrive and how soon should I use it?

With automatic delivery it is delivered digitally to your order as soon as payment is confirmed. Prepared delivery usually takes 5 to 60 minutes. Activate the key within 24 hours of delivery.