Windows 10: If you purchase a Windows Server 2016 essentials License with downgrade rights to 2012 r2...

We have a dell server that was purchased with Server 2016 essentials but due to some old accounting software we downgraded to Server 2012 r2. We have recently moved on from that software and would like to upgrade back up to 2016. Is this just as simple as upgrade in place to OS and the key already works as a 2016 key or do you give up your rights to 2016 once you downgrade to 2012r2?

:)

 

server 2008 r2 inplace upgrade to 2012 r2 essentials?

I have less than 5 users, so I'd like to go to an essentials license when get off of 2008. I see all these docs about moving ro srndard from essentials, but can I do an in place upgrade to a 2012 ( or by steps to 2016 and use a essentials server license?
Or must this be a new install?

 

Downgrade Windows server 2016 to 2012

How to get product key or license for Windows server 2012 by downgrading our Windows server 2016 standard single license?

 

Questions about Windows Server 2016 and 2012 R2

@Rehmanpa Just to clarify about what you may have heard about 2012 R2 not needing to pay for CALS like 2016, that only applies to 2012 Essentials and 2012 R2 Essentials. You are limited on number of clients, though.