Upgrade from 2012 essentials to 2012 standard

Question

I am trying to update server 2012 essentials to server 2012 standard.
I have read some threads and try to use:
Dism /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula
When I do this I get this:
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 6.3.9600.19408

Image Version: 6.3.9600.19397

Starting to update components...
Starting to install product key...
Finished installing product key.

Removing package Microsoft-Windows-ServerSolutionEdition~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.3.9600.16384
[================= 31.0% ]

Error: 14081

An error occurred while operating system components were being updated. The upgrade cannot proceed.
For more information, review the log file.
You can find the log file over here: http://gofile.me/4KImY/5iENp8nUX

I try to remove the ADDS services and it fails.

sfc /scannow gives no error

When i try to remove the package using:
Remove-WindowsPackage -Online -PackageName "Microsoft-Windows-ServerSolutionEdition~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~6.3.9600.16384"
It also failes

Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

Kindly follow the steps provided below to resolve your issue.

Windows Server® 2012 Essentials supports up to 25 users and 50 devices. When your business needs exceed the limit, you can perform an in-place license transition from Windows Server Essentials to Windows Server 2012 Standard to remain license compliant.

Go to this link for your reference and other troubleshooting procedures https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-essentials/migrate/transition-from-windows-server-2012-essentials-to-windows-server-2012-standard

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-essentials/migrate/transition-from-windows-server-2012-r2-essentials-to-windows-server-2012-r2-standard

Do not hesitate to message us if you need further assistance.

If the answer is helpful kindly click "Accept as Answer" and up vote it.

Answer 2

Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator, and then run the following command.

dism /online /set-edition:ServerStandard /accepteula /productkey:<Product Key>
Where Product Key is the product key for your copy of Windows Server 2012 Standard.

The server restarts to finish the transition process.

Upgrade to Windows Server 2012 R2
Mount the Windows Server 2012 R2 media and follow the wizard.
Install the Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials Experience Role
Open Server Manager on your server

Select Dashboard on the left hand navigation bar

Click the Add Roles and Features link

In the Add Roles Features Wizard, review the before you begin message and click Next

On Installation Type verify Role-based or Feature-based installation is selected and click Next

On Server Selection Screen, select the server you wish to install the Essentials Experience on and click Next

On Server Roles select Windows Server Essentials Experience. You may be prompted to add additional features for the Windows Server Essentials Experience, review the additions and click Add Features

Notice: The Essentials experience will also install the Web Server Role, After you have added roles and features click Next

On Features, review the selections and Click Next

On Window Server Essentials Experience, review the message and click Next

On Web Server Role (IIS) review the message and click Next

On Role and Services, review the selections and click Next

On** Confirmation** review the installation and click Install

On Results, verify the installation was successful and click Close

You will be returned to Server Manager, and in the upper left hand portion of the Window click on the notification flag.

Click on Configure Windows Server Essentials

On Configure Windows Server Essentials welcome page review the message and click Next

On Company information fill in your Company name and Domain name and click Next

On Create a network administrator account, type in the information for your administrator account and click Configure. The configuration process may take up to 30 minutes and your server will reboot, so go get your favorite beverage and relax.

After server reboots you will see the Results, verify the installation was successful and click Close

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-essentials/migrate/transition-from-windows-server-2012-essentials-to-windows-server-2012-standard