I downloaded the Windows Server 2016 ISO Evaluation version from Microsoft, installed and setup the VM. When try to activate using SPLA key, getting the error – The edition cannot be upgraded.
Fix:
Run the command prompt as Administrator
C:\>Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /AcceptEula /ProductKey:ABCDE-FGHIJ-KLMNO-PQRST-UVWXY
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.14393.0
Image Version: 10.0.14393.0
Starting to update components…
Starting to install product key…
Finished installing product key.
Removing package Microsoft-Windows-ServerStandardEvalEdition~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~10.0.14393.0
[==========================100.0%==========================]
Finished updating components.
Starting to apply edition-specific settings…
Restart Windows to complete this operation.
Do you want to restart the computer now? (Y/N)
Restart the server, Job done. but not…
When I check the Activation status – Windows is not activated.
Click –> Activate Windows –> Troubleshoot, it will fix the problem and make you happy!
More details about the activation: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askcore/2016/10/19/windows-server-2016-volume-activation-tips/