Hi Andy, Did you make sure your command-line is right? I guess your input arguments may have some thing wrong. Please try those steps: Cause: Whilst this is not obvious, this is caused by having the wrong product key. In my case I had installed Windows 2012 server and had not yet entered a product key.

I am using a windows server 2012 R2 standard key into the evaluation but it says the key is not suited for that copy of windows.Cheap Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard serial sold by Windows 10 Key Online is 100% guaranteed and gives you the lowest way to access Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard. If you mean the standard edition of windows server 2012 R2 than you may install/activate up to two VMs. For the third VM, you need to purchase an additional windows server license. For confirmation & more details contcat your OEM reseller or microsoft licensing support in your region.

On the Windows Activation screen it showed: Windows isn't activated Current edition Windows Server 2012 Standard Current product key ****-92BT4 Why a meaningful error couldn't be displayed or the option provided to change the product key, I don't know. Remedy: The solution is simply to enter a new or correct product key and try activating again. There are two ways to enter (or change) the product key, use whichever you are most comfortable with: • Use Windows Activation Tool: • Click the 'Start' button until the Start screen is shown.

• Type ' slui.exe 0x3' (without the quotes) • This should bring up the search box and you should see 'slui.exe 0x03' highlighted on the left in a box - click that box. • A dialog box should now display titled 'Windows Activation'.

Enter your server product key there, and you should then be able to activate windows from that dialog. • Use Software Licensing Manager Tool: • Run 'Command Prompt' using 'Run as administrator'. • In the command prompt box enter: slmgr -upk and press return. You should then see a box titled 'Windows Script Host' and containing the message 'Uninstalled product key successfully.' • Now that the previous product key has been removed you can enter a new product key, so in the same command prompt box enter: slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx inserting your product key in the above. • You will then need to go back to Windows Activation to activate windows. • Enter: slui.exe and press return to bring up the Windows activation dialog, from where you should now be able to activate windows.

Also, you could refer to this: Thanks -Billgiee.