Forum Discussion

Brass Contributor

May 23, 2021

Solved

Windows Server 2022 Product Key

Good Morning everyone! I am new to using Server Insider builds, (i have used normal Win10 builds for many years) just wondering where i could find & use a product key to activate Windows Server 2...

activation

Server

chinchin85
May 23, 2021
Hi JayTechTips,

You could use the following KMS keys for installing Windows server 2022 v10.0.20344.1
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33
Windows Server 2022 Standard: VDYBN-27WPP-V4HQT-9VMD4-VMK7H

Please remember that these keys are KMS keys and you would need KMS activation server setup at your end for activating your Windows Server 2022 install. Else you would be able to move past the setup key screen while installing the server but WILL NOT be able to activate Windows Server 2022 after install. This is because the build 20344.1 is a production signed build.

Hope this helps.
Key source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys#windows-server-2022

For activation workaround see this link: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-server-insiders/windows-server-preview-build-20344-requesting-product-key/m-p/2319750/highlight/true#M1884

Mary Hoffman

Former Employee

Sep 29, 2021

22463 is a pre-release build of VNext Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC). 22463 is branded as 2022 temporarily because we haven't updated the branding yet - that happens later in the development cycle. We generally release to LTSC every 2-3 years. We will be releasing newer VNext LTSC builds periodically during that entire time. The pre-release expiration date is updated periodically, so later builds will most likely have a later expiration date. Hope that helps.

The Semi-Annual Channel for Server ended with Windows Server, version 20H2.

chinchin85

Copper Contributor

Sep 29, 2021

Mary Hoffman

Thanks for the reply. My questions were based on Win 11 22H2 Preview branch being same as Server 2022 preview i.e 22463, hence the query regarding the release timeline (possibly of a Windows Server 2022 R2 or so...). But as you said, LTSC releases would happen after a gap of 2-3 years so that clarifies my queries. Thanks again

chinchin85
Copper Contributor
Sep 30, 2021
Thx for the clarification about the branch and build part.
Mary Hoffman
Former Employee
Sep 30, 2021
"21H2" can apply to multiple products as all it represents is the approximate time of the release, "21" meaning the year of release, and "H2" meaning second half of that year. While it may coincidentally identify products that released from the same branch and build, that may not always be the case.