Preform in-place upgrad from windows server 2012

Gidon Itzhak 20 Reputation points
2023-05-26T16:43:46.42+00:00

Hi

I have Windows Server 2012 Standrd installed, and I want to upgrade the system to Server 2016. When I'm doing the upgrade process I dont have option the keep my files, the error I get: your files apps and settings can't be kept because your installing an edition of windows that's different than the one you're currently using, Do you have any suggestion what is the reason for that?

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
12,206 questions
0 comments
Accepted answer
  1. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2023-05-26T18:09:16.6233333+00:00

    You'll need licensed installation media. An in-place upgrade cannot be performed using evaluation media.

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

3 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2023-05-26T22:07:35.16+00:00

    what is the recommended procedure to upgrade windows server and keeping all the configurations?

    Just a guess, but assuming a domain controller;

    The two prerequisites to introducing the first 2019 or 2022 domain controller are that domain functional level needs to be 2008 or higher and older sysvol FRS replication needs to have been migrated to DFSR

    I'd use dcdiag / repadmin tools to verify health correcting all errors found before starting any operations. Then stand up the new 2019 or 2022, patch it fully, license it, join existing domain, add active directory domain services, promote it also making it a GC (recommended), transfer FSMO roles over (optional), transfer pdc emulator role (optional), use dcdiag / repadmin tools to again verify health, when all is good you can decommission / demote old one.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2023-05-26T18:42:59.1133333+00:00

    Ask your reseller for it. There are no public downloads outside of the volume center or possible via Visual Studio subscription. Also note in-place upgrades are never recommended.

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

  3. Ivica Milanovic 1 Reputation point
    2023-05-26T18:58:58.85+00:00

    Hi,

    As you already mentioned "because your installing an edition of windows that's different than the one you're currently using" Find the installation with same edition.

    I've done several times upgrades from 2012>2016>2019 or 2012>2019 directly using ISO file. Don't forget to check prerequisites, check if role is not obsolete in new version... etc. And make sure you have 35-40Gb free space on system drive for in-place upgrade.

    0 comments