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Sudz28-3480 avatar image
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Sudz28-3480 asked JennyFeng-MSFT commented

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

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
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3 Answers

Sudz28-3480 avatar image
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Sudz28-3480 answered JennyFeng-MSFT commented

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.

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JennyFeng-MSFT avatar image JennyFeng-MSFT ·

Hi,
Glad to hear that you have found a solution and thank you for sharing it here, I learn more from your reply.
Please accept as answer, it will be easier to be found for other people who has the similar problem.

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DSPatrick avatar image
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DSPatrick answered

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--


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JennyFeng-MSFT avatar image
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JennyFeng-MSFT answered

@Sudz28-3480
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://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started-19/install-upgrade-migrate-19

Hope above information can help you.

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