Activate the Servers

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In this task, you activate each of the servers for Windows EBS. You must complete this task to install client access license (CAL) packs and to assign licenses to user accounts and devices. You must activate Windows within 60 days to comply with the licensing requirements.

Note

You must have Internet access on each of the three servers for Windows EBS to complete this task. To verify Internet access, see Access the Internet from Windows Essential Business Server.

To activate each server for Windows Essential Business Server

  1. Log on to the server by using an administrator account.

  2. Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.

  3. In Windows activation, do one of the following:

    • If you provided the 25-character product key during Windows Server 2008 installation, click Activate Windows now, and then click Active Windows online now.
    • If you did not provide the 25-character product key during Windows Server 2008 installation, click Change product key, type the product key, and then click Next.

  4. After the activation is finished, click Close.

Repeat these steps to activate all three servers.