Upgraded to Server 2012 R2, now Microsoft applications show "Publisher: Unknown"

Sudz28 186 Reputation points
2021-03-16T17:11:08.407+00:00

I recently did an in-place upgrade from Windows Server 2008 to Server 2012 R2, something I've done dozens of times. On this one server, for some reason once I was finished I noticed I was unable to RDP to it and when I opened a console, any Windows application I tried to run - launch a Command window, launch Server Manager, anything - it would throw a warning (UAC warning) stating "Publisher: Unknown".

Why has my server suddenly seemed to 'forget' that Microsoft is the publisher for these .exe files, and is there any way to fix it? I noticed that as part of the upgrade process, it seemed to rename the catroot and catroot2 folders, and I'm wondering if the issue doesn't arise from that.
Thank you!

Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
1,534 questions
0 comments
Accepted answer
  1. Sudz28 186 Reputation points
    2021-03-18T11:19:06.507+00:00

    I was able to resolve the issue. I re-ran the Setup.exe from the Win2012 R2 installation disk and it went through the 'upgrade' process again (I was thinking it would already see that 2012 R2 was installed and give me a 'repair' option or something along those lines, but no dice; it just went straight in and started installing. When it finished, I had to re-do all the patches I had previously installed (2012 specific patches), but otherwise it once again was recognizing Microsoft as the "Publisher" for the appropriate .exe files.

2 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Dave Patrick 426.1K Reputation points MVP
    2021-03-16T17:30:16.96+00:00

    An in-place upgrade is never recommended for a number or reasons, better option is to clean install it, patch fully and migrate the roles or applications over to it.

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

    0 comments
  2. Jenny Feng 14,081 Reputation points
    2021-03-17T03:00:38.577+00:00

    @Sudz28
    Hi,
    I agree with DSPatrick.
    Looks like your windows installation went wrong somewhere.
    If possible, I would recommend that you perform a clean installation, you will need to back up your data first and plan to reinstall your applications.
    For your reference:
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/install-upgrade-migrate-19

    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.

    0 comments