How to reactivate/re-patch the windows license in ON-premises Virtual Machine using Command prompt?
Scenario: If the windows license is expired in VM we can do reactivate the license using Rearm command in the command prompt.
High Resolution steps
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Check Current License Information.
- Detailed License Information.
- Reset Activation Timer Using.
- Restart Your Computer.
- Verify Activation Status Again.
Detailed Resolution steps
How to Reactivate or Re-patch an Expired Windows License in a VM Using Command Prompt
If you’re running a virtual machine (VM) and your Windows license has expired, you can use the Command Prompt to reactivate or repatch the license. This guide will walk you through the steps to extend the trial period or reset the activation timer using the rearm, dli, and dlv commands.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
1. Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Alternatively, you can search for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
Step 2: Check Current License Information
1. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
slmgr /dli
2. This command will display the current license information, including the activation status and remaining days in the grace period.
Step 3: Detailed License Information
1. To get more detailed information about your Windows license, type the following command and press Enter:
slmgr /dlv
2. This command provides a detailed view of your licensing information, including the license key, activation ID, and other relevant details.
Step 4: Reset Activation Timer Using rearm
1. To reset the activation timer and extend the grace period by another 30 days, type the following command and press Enter:
slmgr /rearm
2. You will see a message indicating that the rearm operation was successful.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
1. After running the rearm command, you will be prompted to restart your computer.
2. Click Restart to complete the rearm process.
Step 6: Verify Activation Status Again
1. Once your computer restarts, run the slmgr /dli command again to verify that the activation timer has been reset.
2. You should see that the activation period has been extended, giving you additional time to activate Windows.
Important Notes
- Rearm Limit: The rearm command can generally be used up to 6 times, extending the activation period by 180 days each time. However, this limit may vary based on your Windows edition and version.
- Activation: This method is intended to give you more time to activate your Windows with a valid product key. It’s not a permanent solution for bypassing activation.
