Windows server 2008 R2 standard upgrade to 2012 R2 Standard

Karthik SIVASUBRAMANIAN 21 Reputation points
2021-09-20T13:59:10.15+00:00

I know this question was already been answered years back, however i need bit more clarification on moving further.

Our current OS: Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard SP1

Have purchased a license for Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard from a vendor (not from microsoft). Downloaded ISO from microsoft evaluation center: Server 2012 R2 Standard, well this is the link the vendor provided.

"Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard cannot be upgraded to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Evaluation (server with a graphical user interface). ......." is what we get when we do the upgrade!

From this thread: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/ee4684df-bcd6-400a-ac92-ac716727d869/upgade-from-server-2008-r2-to-2012?forum=winserver8setup

it is answered that: "Based on my test, we need to clean install Windows Server 2012 Evaluation Versions instead upgrading.

However, if we have licensed Windows Server 2012, we can upgrade to Windows Server 2012 by referring to the Upgrading previous retail versions of Windows Server to Windows Server 2012 section of Evaluation Versions and Upgrade Options for Windows Server 2012."

we can upgrade to Windows Server 2012 by referring to the - who can upgrade? do we need to contact someone? or we have any other way to do the upgrade? We have the license for 2012 R2!

Thanks for the help!

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2021-09-20T14:04:03.687+00:00

    That's correct you cannot use evaluation media to perform an in-place upgrade. The reseller should provide access to licensed installation media. There are no public downloads. Some other options may be the volume center or a Visual Studio subscription.

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

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. Limitless Technology 39,381 Reputation points
    2021-09-21T07:44:44.037+00:00

    Hello,

    The answer provided from that thread was right.

    Normally, We need to upgrade from evaluation to licensed version which is supported method by Microsoft.

    In your case you want to downgrade or un licensed from already activated Windows to evolution version then you want to licensed which is unsupported method I believe.

    May be you can use 2012 R2 evaluation version with new VM then do your tests or installation of applications then you can make it licensed. Then decommission 2008 R2 VM.

    Hope this helps in your case.

    Thank you,