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Windows Evaluation Editions

Windows evaluation editions are trial versions of Windows operating systems provided by Microsoft. These editions allow users, especially IT professionals, to test and evaluate the features and capabilities of different Windows versions before making a purchase decision.

https://www.microsoft.com/evalcenter
Microsoft provides Windows 10/11 Enterprise and Server in evaluation version.

warning

Evaluation editions can not be activated beyond the evaluation period. Avoid using them, download the full version instead.

Difference between the full and evaluation​

Both versions are almost the same feature-wise. The main difference lies in the activation.

  • The evaluation version of Windows typically comes with a 90-day (180-day for Server) trial period.
  • Evaluation Editions cannot be activated outside of the evaluation period.
  • After the trial period, the system will start showing notifications and may shut down periodically.
  • To be clear, you can not activate it with your genuine key, digital license, KMS, etc.

Convert evaluation to the full version​

Windows 10/11 Enterprise Evaluation​

Officially, converting Windows 10/11 Enterprise eval to full version is not supported.
However, you can use an alternative method to change to the full version by doing an in-place upgrade with an ISO (keeping files and apps) and with a registry tweak.

LTSC means long-term servicing channel. Microsoft provides longer update support for them.

  • Download Windows 10/11 Enterprise LTSC ISO from here in the same Windows language, and architecture.
  • Right-click on the downloaded ISO file, Open With > Windows Explorer
  • A new DVD drive will appear in Windows Explorer, which means the installation image has been mounted successfully.
  • Now open the command prompt as admin and enter,
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v EditionID /d EnterpriseS /f
  • Go into that DVD drive and run setup.exe, continue until you reach the final confirmation screen.
  • Make sure it says "Keep all files and apps" on the final screen. Then you can continue the process and wait until it is done.

It will upgrade your eval Windows version to the full version.

Windows Server Evaluation​

Changing Windows Server eval to the full version is officially supported.
You can use the official method here https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/get-started/upgrade-conversion-options
or
Use the change edition option in the MAS script.

Extend evaluation activation period​

Windows 10/11 Enterprise evaluation version typically comes with a 90-day trial period and it automatically gets activated when the system connects to the Internet.

Extend 90 days, 2 more times​

When the 90-day activation period has expired or is about to expire, you can extend it for 90 days more.
Open the command prompt as admin and enter,
slmgr /rearm

You can repeat this process 2 times (a total of 270 days of activation).

Reset the activation at any given time​

WPA registry keys at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA hold the records of the trial period. By clearing this registry we can simply reset the activation (trial) period at any given time. You can follow below guide to do this.
https://gravesoft.dev/fix-wpa-registry

note

The eval activation for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 is currently not working.

Avoid license swapping​

Some people suggest installing license files of the full version of Windows Enterprise to activate the evaluation installation.
This is not a good idea for many reasons,

  • If you apply this method then the below commands will show errors
    dism /online /english /Get-CurrentEdition
    dism /online /english /Get-TargetEditions
  • Windows update can't update license files, Microsoft applies policy fixes through Windows updates. For example, 19044.1288 RTM release of IoT enterprise LTSC didn't support sandbox, but with later updates it started supporting it. KMS activation support was enabled with later updates as well. They update license files quite often, it's better to have updated windows and license files.
  • Furthermore, installed edition packages would be missing, which can have undocumented side effects.

It's better to either upgrade to the full version or extend the activation period as mentioned above on this page.

tip

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