Here, I will show you how to install and activate Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Edition. Please make sure to purchase a valid license. The server will be fully activated using the method I demonstrate, but from a legal standpoint, the license must be available in physical form (paper format).

Download Windows Server 2022 ISO

Download the Englisch (US) Version so it will work 100%

Downloade Windows Server 2022 ISO

Install Windows Server 2022

Install Windows Server 2022 on a physical server or virtualize it. In this example, I am using Oracle VM VirtualBox.

Run the ISO and start the installation process

Use English (US) for the installation and activation, otherwise there may be issues with activation. You can adjust the keyboard settings right away. After installation and activation, the desired language can be installed.

Click Install

Select Version

Install the Windows Server 2022 Standard Desktop Version (Desktop Experience). After the installation, the upgrade to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter will be performed.

Accept the terms and conditions.

Select the 'Custom' installation

Select the hard drive

Select the hard drive on which you want to install Windows Server 2022.

The installation begins

Create Password

Login

Get Access to Server

I am using a virtualization environment, and we will soon need to enter some commands into the terminal window. To make it easier to copy and paste commands, I have activated Remote Desktop Connection so that access to the server becomes simpler.

Disable the firewall

For the activation to work without issues, the firewall must be disabled and the server needs access to the internet.

Open Terminal

Now we open Windows Terminal and run it as Administrator.

Upgrade to Windows Datacenter

This command will perform the upgrade to Windows Server 2022 Datacenter. Copy the provided command into the terminal; a product key is embedded in this command, and you can use it. To ensure everything is legal, you must own a valid license.

DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33 /AcceptEula

Upgrade in process

Wait until the process is completed. Even if the process ends with an error message, the upgrade will still work. Once the process is completed, whether with or without an error message, restart the server, and Windows Server 2022 Datacenter will be installed.

Restart

Restart and Login again.

Create .bat file

To easily run the activation code, we will create a .bat file that will be executed in the Windows terminal. Open Notepad, copy the code into the editor, and save it as a .bat file. I will name it activate.bat.

slmgr /upk
slmgr.vbs /cpky
slmgr /ckms
slmgr.vbs /ckms
slmgr /skms localhost
slmgr /ipk WX4NM-KYWYW-QJJR4-XV3QB-6VM33
slmgr /skms kms.digiboy.ir
slmgr /ato

Run the created .bat File as Administrator

Now, start the created .bat file as Administrator and confirm the prompts that pop up one after the other.

Successful activation

When this popup appears, the server has been successfully activated.