Hello R LEVENT,
Thank you for providing the detailed background.
Based on your description, this issue occurs because different Windows Server 2025 editions and installation media were mixed during installation and activation.
You initially installed Windows Server 2025 Standard (trial) from MSDN because the license was not yet available. At that time, the server worked normally. Later, when you received the official Lenovo OEM Windows Server 2025 Standard Essentials 10‑core license, activation failed. After that, the system was updated/repaired using the Lenovo installation CD, which is a different edition (Standard Essentials) from what was originally installed.
Windows Server Standard and Standard Essentials are different editions (SKUs) and are not interchangeable. When the system is serviced or repaired using installation media from a different edition, the operating system can enter an unsupported and inconsistent state. This typically results in the system stopping at the LogonUI screen and failing to load the desktop after restart.
This behavior is not a performance issue and not caused by hardware failure. It is a deployment, licensing, and servicing mismatch issue.
Once the operating system files are in an inconsistent state due to an edition mismatch, simply re‑entering the product key or retrying activation will not resolve the problem. In this condition, Windows may still reach the LogonUI screen, but critical components required to load the user session and desktop cannot start correctly.
To resolve the issue in a supported way, the following steps are recommended:
Back up any required data
- Boot the server using Windows Server installation media or a recovery environment.
- Copy important data to an external drive or network location.
- Reinstall Windows Server using **installation media that exactly matches your purchased license**: - Windows Server **2025 Standard Essentials** (Lenovo OEM media), **or** - Windows Server **2025 Standard**, if you have a Standard (non‑Essentials) license. - Do not mix MSDN, Retail, and OEM media during installation or repair. **Activate after installation** - Once installation is complete, apply Windows Updates. - Activate Windows using the correct Lenovo OEM license key.
This ensures the edition, license, and system components are fully aligned, preventing the LogonUI startup issue from occurring again.
I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer.
Ivy Bui