How to do an in-place upgrade from Windows Storage Server 2012R2 Standard to Windows Server 2019 Standard without losing data?

Question

We are looking to upgrade our HPE Easystore 1650 Storage Server from Windows Storage Server 2012R Standard to Windows Server 2019 standard and then 2022 Standard.

After launching setup.exe the install appears to going smoothly until Windows asks: do you want to keep your files and upgrade OR clean install

The option to keep existing files and upgrade is GREYED OUT with the below error message: "you are trying to upgrade to a version of windows that is different than the one installed"

Tried it with 2016 and 2019 Standard

Answer 1

Hello.

According to the official description:

An in-place upgrade from Windows Storage Server Editions is not supported. You can perform either a Migration or Installation instead.

Migration of Windows Server is when you move one role or feature at a time from a source computer that is running Windows Server to another destination computer that is running Windows Server, either the same or a newer version. For these purposes, migration is defined as moving one role or feature and its data to a different computer, not upgrading the feature on the same computer.

In this case, we recommend that you back up your data and then perform a clean installation.

Reference:

Overview of Windows Server upgrades | Microsoft Learn

Install, upgrade, or migrate to Windows Server | Microsoft Learn

Best Regards,

Hania Lian

Answer 2

Thank you.

Answer 3

It is a great pleasure to help you.

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Best Regards，

Hania Lian