Installing and Extending Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Trial Software

Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948472

Evaluating Windows Server 2008 software does not require product activation. Any edition of Windows Server 2008 may be installed without activation.

In the Windows Server 2008 Evaluation DVD package, there is a 120-day initial evaluation period. You can extend the evaluation period to 240 days. To extend the initial evaluation and testing period, follow the steps in this Microsoft Knowledge Base article (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948472).

How to install Windows Server 2008 without activating it:

Run the Windows Server 2008 Setup program.
When you are prompted to enter a product key for activation, do not enter a key. Click No when Setup asks you to confirm your selection.
You may be prompted to select the edition of Windows Server 2008 that you want to evaluate. Select the edition that you want to install.

Note: After Windows Server 2008 is installed, the edition cannot be changed without reinstalling it.

When you are prompted, read the evaluation terms in the Microsoft Software License Terms, and then accept the terms.

How to manually extend the evaluation period:

When the initial evaluation period nears its end, you can run the Slmgr.vbs script to reset the evaluation period. To do this, follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Command Prompt.
Type slmgr.vbs -dli, and then press ENTER to check the current status of your evaluation period.
To reset the evaluation period, type slmgr.vbs –rearm, and then press ENTER.
Restart the computer.

This resets the evaluation period to 60 days.