Steps To Upgrade SharePoint 2019 License Key

Introduction

Many times it happens that we want to install SharePoint server (on-premise), however, due to the non-availability of license key, you are not able to install it or unable to proceed forward in the installation. In this article, I will show you the steps on how you can use a free-trial key and then can upgrade the license key once it's available.

Description

In my recent project, I was about to install SharePoint Server 2019, however client informed that they cannot share the license key with us, instead they can only put the license key in a screen sharing. I just didn't wanted to waste the time (because of time zone differences between me and client), so I went ahead and decided to install SharePoint 2019 with a free-trial version and upgrade it later. There is very good Microsoft documentation (link mentioned in references) which suggests and provides you a free-trial license key for both Standard and Enterprise versions of SharePoint Server 2019.

Once SharePoint Server 2019 is installed successfully with a free-trial license key, you can upgrade the license key using below steps - 

Step 1

Open the server and search for SharePoint Central Administration in the Windows search - 

Step 2

Click on "Upgrade and Migration" link in the quick launch (left navigation) and select "Convert farm license type" option - 

Step 3

Enter the SharePoint 2019 Standard / Enterprise Edition Product Key in the box provided and click on OK - 

Step 4

After clicking on OK, you will find that now SharePoint installation has been upgraded to Standard / Enterprise license key and now you are not using the free-trial license key - 

Note

1. The trial period is 180 days. You can convert to a licensed installation at any time during the trial or after the trial has expired by entering the appropriate product key in Central Administration.
2. You must use an Enterprise product key for SharePoint to enable Project Server 2019.

References

• Download and Install SharePoint Server 2019 with free-trial product key
• Hardware and software requirements for SharePoint Server 2019