If your Windows Server is running on an evaluation version and has not been activated, it will automatically shut down one hour after boot once the 180-day evaluation period expires. This can disrupt critical services and applications running on the server. To continue using Windows Server without interruptions, you must activate Windows with a valid license key.

Why Does Windows Server Shut Down After Expiry?

Microsoft provides a free 180-day evaluation for Windows Server editions. Once this period ends:

• Windows will display activation warnings.
• The desktop background may turn black, and a notification stating that Windows is not activated will appear.
• The server will automatically shut down every hour after boot, making it unusable for production environments.

How to Check Activation Status

To verify your activation status:

• Open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
• Alternatively, open Command Prompt and run the following command:

slmgr /xpr

• If Windows is not activated, you need to proceed with activation to restore full functionality.

How to Activate Windows Server

To continue using Windows Server without limitations, you need a genuine Windows product key.
Once you have a valid key, follow these steps:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Enter the following command, replacing XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX with your product key:

slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

• Activate Windows by running the following command:

slmgr /ato

• Wait for a confirmation message indicating that Windows has been successfully activated.

Verify Activation

To ensure Windows Server is fully activated:

• Run the following command:

slmgr /dlv

• This will display detailed licensing information, including activation status.

After activation, Restart your server to apply changes.

Congratulations! Your Windows Server is now activated and fully operational, and will no longer automatically shut down.