Migrating Windows Server 2016 Essentials to an SSD?

Nick Flach 21 Reputation points
2021-03-30T16:29:29.493+00:00

I have a Dell Poweredge T110 II running Windows Server 2016 Essentials on a 3.5" SATA HDD. I want to migrate it to an SATA III SSD, and was wondering what was the best way to go about it? I have thought of using the opensource program Clonezilla. Are there any other options?

Thanks,

Nick

Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
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Windows Server Migration
Windows Server Migration
Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Migration: The process of making existing applications and data work on a different computer or operating system.
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  1. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2021-03-30T18:18:12.937+00:00

    You can follow along here to migrate to new hardware.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-essentials/migrate/migrate-windows-server-essentials-to-new-hardware

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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  2. Nick Flach 21 Reputation points
    2021-03-30T21:21:45.553+00:00

    Hi @Dave Patrick , thanks for your response. My understanding in reading that article is that I would need a second server to migrate to, which I do not have. Is there any way to copy the installation from the old disk to the new one in the same server?

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  3. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2021-03-30T21:24:54.397+00:00

    Sorry, there's nothing native to windows perform this operation.

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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  4. Nick Flach 21 Reputation points
    2021-03-30T21:54:14.347+00:00

    @Dave Patrick Ah okay. Well it a a test server rather than a live production server, so I don't mind wiping it and starting again. I still have the original installation media and licence key. Would that be valid if I did a re-install on the new SSD?

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  5. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2021-03-30T22:01:25.603+00:00

    Yes, it is perfectly valid to reinstall it. Looks like Dell is pointing to use the evaluation media to reinstall it so there should be no problems.
    https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000178353/dell-poweredge-how-to-download-the-microsoft-windows-server-media-iso-file

    After installation you can convert
    Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerEssentials /AcceptEula /ProductKey:12345-67890-12345-67890-12345

    --please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

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