[Solved] This edition cannot be upgraded error in Windows server 2016 datacenter

In this windows tutorial, I will explain how to resolve This edition cannot be upgraded error while upgrading to Windows server 2016 datacenter. As part of the SharePoint 2019 VM configuration, I was trying to activate the Windows Server 2016 data canter. But when I enter the product key, it gave error as This edition cannot be upgraded error like below:

This edition cannot be upgraded Windows server 2016 datacenter

Before we activate the Windows server with the key we have, we need to ensure that we are eligible for upgrading to full version. So, we will know the current and eligible versions of windows server with the below PowerShell commands.

DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition

To know the possible target version of the windows server run the below PowerShell command,

DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions

Now that we know the target version, run the below PowerShell command to activate windows.

DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula

DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerDatacenter /ProductKey:
xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula

Now our windows server is activated successfully !!! You can see below now the Windows edition is Windows Server 2016 datacenter.

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I hope this tutorial help to fix error, This edition cannot be upgraded error while upgrading to Windows server 2016 datacenter.

Krishna Vandanapu

I am Krishna.Vandanapu a SharePoint architect working in IT from last 13+ years, I worked in SharePoint 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and Office 365. I have extensive hands on experience in customizing SharePoint sites from end to end. Expertise in SharePoint migration tools like Sharegate, Doc Ave and Metalogix. Migrated SharePoint sites from SharePoint 2007 to 2010 and 2010 to 2013 several times seamlessly. Implementing CSOM with Microsoft best practices. Spent quality time in configuring SharePoint application services like User Profile, Search, Managed Meta data services etc. Now exploring SharePoint Framework and SharePoint 2019

If the computer is already part of a domain this process should work as well correct?

Thanks, that did the trick for me.

thank you. I purchased OEM server license with DVD. Disk was broken on arrival. Installed evaluation version and then did this procedure with my license number (I used serverstandard as the edition) Reboot and my edition is correct and working great.

Thanks brother!

Great – Win2016Std upgraded from Eval – perfect – thanks…