2012 R2 to .....

Question

We have a 2012 R2 server running just as a file server only. No AD on it. AD is running on an older machine running Server 2000.

During the upgrade, I need to keep the app's that are installed on this server moving forward because we've spent a lot of $$$ to software integrators to install this software and provide updates.

I've imaged the server to a VM and tried to perform an in-line install of 2016 datacenter eval copy. I won't let me do that. It will only let me perform a fresh install. That won't work.

I don't want to buy 2016, 2019 unless I know it will work.

We're running fine now, after doing an upgrade on the application that was installed a year or so ago. Sooner or later I'm "thinking" 2012 R2 won't be supported by this application down the road. Hence my trying to find a solution now.

I've also tried to do this in-line upgrade on an older spare server that replaced a couple of years ago. Same outcome.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

tried to perform an in-line install of 2016 datacenter eval copy.

That's correct, it isn't possible to do an in-place upgrade using evaluation media. In-place upgrades are never recommended, but in order to do so licensed install media must be used.

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

Answer 2

Thanks Docs

Answer 3

There are third party software (fee based) that often have chat options as well as support to see if there are any options to maintain applications.

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Answer 4

Thanks DS. I'm sure it's probably not recommended, but it would be costly to start all over with the integrator to get us back to a point where we're currently at.

Appreciate the feedback.