What's the Difference Between Windows Evaluation and Full Versions?
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TechieTurtle89
Hey everyone! I'm in the process of setting up a virtual network for Windows 2022 Servers and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC clients. Right now, I'm using the evaluation versions of these OSs. I've noticed that once the grace period ends, the systems start shutting down every hour, making them pretty useless. If I switch these evaluation editions to full versions, will I still face the same shutdown issue? I saw on Microsoft's licensing page that full editions will only limit personalization features while still functioning. Can anyone clarify if there's any real difference in functionality between the evaluation and full editions when they're both in notification mode? I want to know if switching to the full edition will prevent those annoying automatic shutdowns after the grace period. Thanks for your help!
Answers
It sounds like you’re trying to avoid paying for multiple licenses, right? If you don’t properly activate the full versions and just let them sit in notification mode, you might still face issues later on. But it can be really tricky using these without proper licenses, especially if you’re building things like Active Directory for your VMs.
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You'll mostly just get notification mode, which means some personalization options will be limited, but the system itself should still run fine without those frequent shutdowns. It's best to use a volume-based ISO and a KMS client key for activation. Here’s a link to some options: [link](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/upgrade-conversion-options#see-also).
CuriousCat77: So, the full edition won't shut down every hour like the evaluation version? Thanks for clearing that up!
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TechieTurtle89: Exactly! I can't spend that much on licenses for my small setup, and those shutdowns are a major headache. I'm just exploring my options.