Upgrade windows server 2012R2 to windows server 2016

Question

I am trying to upgrade Server 2012R2 to Server 2016, Keep Personal Files and Folders option is Disabled, It asked me to delete everything and install instead of upgrading. I have downloaded the 2016 ISO from Windows Server 2016 Trial (microsoft.com) can you please help?

I don't want to delete andy application settings or AD.

I have tried using from windows Setup..exe and also tried by bootable iso. getting error I am attaching both screenshots. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi Ashutosh Chavda

The link you provide is to download the Windows Server 2016 Trial edition. Windows Server 2012 R2 can be upgraded to Windows Server 2016, but not directly to Windows Server 2016 trial edition. The Windows Server 2016 trial is an evaluation release that can only be used for testing purposes and not in a production environment.

Try downloading the iso file at this link: Windows Server 2016 | Microsoft Evaluation Center

Best Regards,

Hania Lian

Answer 2

Thanks for the response, I have found the solution, Instead of downloading from Microsoft I downloaded from another website and it seems working fine. So I wanted to upgrade Windows Server 2012R2 to 2019 Standard, I had to follow the below steps and it worked for me.

1. Just took back up for the safe side.
2. Download 2016 Standard ISO from <URL removed>
3. Run setup.exe file from the Windows Server 2012R2 and select the Keep file and apps option.
4. It Asked to run a couple of commands from X:\sources\adprep\adprep /forestprep "X" is your ISO mount drive or DVD Drive letter.
5. Upgraded to 2016 Standard with these steps without any issues.
6. The same steps follow for upgrading Server 2019 Standard.

So All good now :)

Answer 3

Hi.

Glad to hear that your problem was solved.

Best Regards,

Hania Lian

Answer 4

Thanks for the response, I have found the solution, Instead of downloading from Microsoft I downloaded from another website and it seems working fine. So I wanted to upgrade Windows Server 2012R2 to 2019 Standard, I had to follow the below steps and it worked for me.

1. Just took back up for the safe side.
2. Download 2016 Standard ISO from <URL removed>
3. Run setup.exe file from the Windows Server 2012R2 and select the Keep file and apps option.
4. It Asked to run a couple of commands from X:\sources\adprep\adprep /forestprep "X" is your ISO mount drive or DVD Drive letter.
5. Upgraded to 2016 Standard with these steps without any issues.
6. The same steps follow for upgrading Server 2019 Standard.

So All good now :)

Hi ,

Mind to sharing the link ISO Windows Server 2016 full version. Because I wan to upgrade Windows Server 2012 R2 to Windows Server 2019.

Answer 5

Hi!

Yes please share. I want to upgrade from 2012 R to 2019 as well. How hard is it? I am not an IT, but I have basic computer skills. Is this something I can do on my own? Would any other apps, software be affected and configuration needed?