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Upgrading to Windows Server 2008

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

This document contains important information about upgrading a computer running Windows Server 2003 to the Windows Server® 2008 operating system, including links to related documents with information about:

  • How to upgrade

  • Supported scenarios

  • Frequently asked questions

  • Known issues about the upgrade process

  • Upgrading when you have line-of-business (LOB) or non-Microsoft® applications

It is essential that you read this document and the documents in the Related upgrade documents section at the end of this document before you begin upgrading. If you do not, there is a chance that your server will be left in an unusable state.

To verify information from the Windows Server Catalog about software compatibility and to download tools and documentation, see https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=111948.

In this document

  • Important guidance for upgrading

  • Related upgrade documents

Important guidance for upgrading

This section contains information about the most important issues, but you should also read the related update documents presented later in this document before you upgrade your server.

To comply with your organization's technical support agreement through Microsoft Customer Support Services, Microsoft provides technical support for the following:

  • Your operating system

  • Windows®-delivered software

  • Microsoft applications

Note

In some scenarios, upgrading is not supported. The Compatibility Report lists these scenarios during the setup process.

To facilitate a successful upgrade, follow these best practices:

  • Perform a clean installation if possible. We recommend that you perform a clean installation whenever possible. However, if you decide that you want to upgrade, you should read the documents in the Related upgrade documents section at the end of this document to prepare for your upgrade. For information about performing a clean installation, see Installing Windows Server 2008 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=104824).

  • Ensure that your server is supported. There are supported paths for upgrading and it is important to research your software and hardware manufacturers' support policies before you start setup. Before you upgrade, we recommend that you read the documents listed in the Related upgrade documents section at the end of this document.

  • Verify upgrade of non-Windows-delivered software. Before you upgrade, we recommend that you remove any installed non-Windows-delivered software that is not supported by the software manufacturer for upgrade. When you upgrade without removing installed non-Windows-delivered software that is not supported, the non-Windows-delivered software may not function correctly.

    Non-Windows-delivered software is defined as any software that is not included with the Windows Server operating system or that is not delivered to the Windows Server operating system when you use Windows Update. This definition also includes Microsoft utilities and applications.

  • Test line-of-business (LOB) and non-Microsoft applications. It is imperative that you test your LOB and non-Microsoft applications before you upgrade your production servers. For specific instructions on testing your applications, see Application Considerations When Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=110831).

  • Back up your servers before upgrading. Your backup should include all data and configuration information that is necessary for the computer to function. It is important to perform a backup of configuration information for servers, especially those that provide network infrastructure, such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers. When you perform the backup, be sure to include the boot and system partitions and the system state data. Another way to back up configuration information is to create a backup set for Automated System Recovery.

Read the following documents for critical information on upgrading to Windows Server 2008.

Document Description

Guide for Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=110829)

Contains information about upgrading, including how to upgrade, supported scenarios, and frequently asked questions.

Known Issues When Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=110830)

Contains known issues that you may experience during the upgrade process and offers solutions for these issues.

Application Considerations When Upgrading to Windows Server 2008 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=110831)

Contains information about upgrading if you have line-of-business (LOB) or non-Microsoft applications, including details about the changes in the operating system and precautions to take before upgrading.

In addition to these documents, you should read Release Notes for Windows Server 2008 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=99299), which contains information about all the known issues in this product.