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I have a server that started with NT4 x86 and upgraded throughout the years but had to stop at server 2008 due to no path to move to x64 which all the newer servers required. Is there a path that exists yet that will handle the upgrade? The server itself will handle it all the latest server versions. I only need the server for 3 things, file server, sql server (for vault source control), and terminal services.
thanks!
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As to an in-place upgrade there is no path to upgrade a 32 bit operating system to 64 bit. If the hardware is 64 bit then you could check here and with manufacturer to see what operating systems are supported.
https://www.windowsservercatalog.com/
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Just checking if there's any progress or updates?
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No you cannot upgrade from x86 to x64 via migration. It would basically be a reinstall because the binary files are different architectures. So you wouldn't gain anything anyway.
Furthermore the Program Files folder in x86 is x86 apps but in x64 it is for x64 apps so Windows would have to "move" all the files. Unto itself that is easy but Windows would also need to search all possible locations where file paths may be stored including the registry, configuration files, etc and fix all those references. This is pretty much impossible in my opinion because Windows has no way of knowing that the .dat file my app uses is a text file containing a hard coded path to the my installation location.
Yet another issue is with drivers. None of the x86 drivers would work either so the installer has to remove all the old drivers (and their files because System32 is x86 in x86 OS and x64 in x64 versions). As you can see this is a lot of work with a high risk just to save bringing up new hardward.
Finally I would say this is also a great time to upgrade the server HW to something newer. System reqs change and most likely the HW you had back that are minimal (or close to that) for new server OSes anyway.
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Hi
Starting by Windows 2012 , there is no x86 operating system .You have to use only x64 OS to install new server or perform a upgrade in place ( I don't recommend it). A upgrade in place from x86 to x64 is not possible.
It's time to build new server x64 and where you will migrate all services alreday hosted on old server 2008.
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