How to reset the licensing status of a Windows server so that it does not shut down automatically.
The Problem
Using an evaluation version of a Windows server for testing purposes and the server goes down unexpectedly with the following error in the logs:
The process C:\Windows\system32\wlms\wlms.exe (WIN2K16) has initiated the shutdown of computer WIN2K16 on behalf of user NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM for the following reason: Other (Planned)
Reason Code: 0x80000000
Shutdown Type: shutdown
Comment: The license period for this installation of Windows has expired. The operating system is shutting down.
The Workaround
Open CMD as Administrator, and run the following command:
slmgr.vbs -rearm
Happy evaluation.