Windows Server 2012 R2 In-place upgrade to 2019

Question

Hi! Would like to ask for any recommendation and considerations before upgrading my current windows server 2012 R2 to windows server 2019. Current system has 1 VM with AV console and also has SQL server 2016. Is there any possible problem I can encounter with my SQL 2016 once I proceed with the inplace upgrade? I'll be using a FPP license of Windows Server 2019.

Answer 1

@wushoo
Hi,
There is usually never recommend in-place upgrades, risks are always high and there is no true roll-back plan.
In-place upgrades are seldom as satisfactory as a clean install.
You may face issues with replication to other DCs and issues with authentication for users and servers in the Domain as well.
I'd suggest a clean install of the new OS, re-install apps, and check for compatibility. Then, bring over data and go live, your old servers are there for rolling back and you get the benefits of the new system without inhering the problems of the old.
Hope above information can help you.

============================================

If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

The simpler / much cleaner / much safer method is to export the virtual machine to removable media, rebuild the host with new OS, patch fully, add hyper-v role, import virtual machine.

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