Forum Discussion
Upgrading a Server 2012 R2 to 2025
Hi everyone,
sadly I was unable to locate any kind of search feature so I apologize in advance for potentially repeating this question.
I have an old VM with Server 2012 R2 with a self contained AD, DNS and a connected OneIdentity Manager. I want to upgrade that system to something modern. Since Server 2025 advertises a migration path from 2012 R2 I thought that would be easy to do, but I can't even find any place to get an ISO to upgrade. Naturally I'd like to verify if I can upgrade before shelling out a couple hundred euros on a license.
Any suggestions what to do?
Regards,
Justus Wingert
6 Replies
I've tested it and it works. Make sure your server 2012 R2 has windows updates installed. In my test envronment, a fresh install of 2012 R2 failed early on in the windows server setup.exe process. Type 1 and Type 2 VM's both tested working. You absolutely can in place upgrade 2012 R2 to 2025. It works in Hyper-V and I would assume bare metal. Microsoft states that you can and it's true. That's the only part of the equation I can confirm for you.
For some reason my reply is lost. I'm still stuck here sadly. I'm on Hyper-V, licensed active Server 2012 R2, MSSQL Server 2012 Developer Edition, AD/DNS but when I use the installer I cannot select the option to keep the previous install.
Regards,
Justus
Hi, this is likely due to the ISO you are using, if you use the Evaluation version you download from MS site directly this will only allow a reset install of 2025.
You must obtain a retail or VLK edition of the ISO for an in-place upgrade (or when its available again, it will be released as an optional windows update)
So, I'm sadly still stuck here. I have the whole thing running on Hyper-V on an up to date Windows 11 Host. The base operating system Server 2012 R2 has been updated to the latest patches including all optional patches.
The licensing status of the Server 2012 R2 is "activated". Is there anything else that might pertain to the issue?
I get the normal procedure up to accepting the EULA but then it only offers me the "Save nothing" option, with the "keep data" option unselecetable.
As mentioned before there is a OneIdentity Manager installed, this is using MSSQL Server 2012 Developer Edition. Is it possible that, or the AD/DNS is preventing the upgrade?
Kind regards,
Justus
- Direct Upgrade: Microsoft typically supports upgrade paths from older server versions to newer ones. For example, upgrading from Server 2012 R2 to Server 2016/2019/2022 is possible and documented, but information for Server 2025 would need to be confirmed with Microsoft’s official documentation for that version.
- Incremental Upgrades: If direct upgrades from 2012 R2 to 2025 aren't supported, you may need to consider an intermediate upgrade (e.g., from 2012 R2 to 2019/2022, and then to 2025).
- Microsoft Evaluation Center: For testing purposes, Microsoft provides trial versions of server operating systems on the Microsoft Evaluation Center
- You can download these versions to verify upgrade compatibility before purchasing a license.
- Volume Licensing Center: If you have access to the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) through your organization, you can download full ISO versions of the software there.
- Resellers: If you don’t have access to these centers, consider reaching out to official Microsoft partners or authorized resellers for a legitimate copy of the ISO.
- Backup: Ensure you have a full backup of your server, including all AD, DNS, and OneIdentity Manager data.
- Check Compatibility: Run the Windows Server Upgrade Advisor or Server Manager to check for any potential compatibility issues.
- Review Services: Check if OneIdentity Manager is compatible with the newer server version. Third-party applications may require updates or reconfiguration after an OS upgrade.
- Create a Test Environment: If possible, clone the VM and perform a test upgrade in a non-production environment to identify any issues.
- In-Place Upgrade: Launch the setup from the ISO within Windows Server 2012 R2, and choose the option to upgrade, preserving existing roles and features.
- License Purchase Considerations:
- Trial First: Utilize the trial period of the server OS to test the upgrade process before purchasing the license.
- Subscription Models: Microsoft often offers subscription-based licenses or cloud-based server options (such as Azure VM hosting) that may be more cost-effective depending on your needs.
Final Steps:
- Activate the OS: Once the upgrade is confirmed to work and you have tested it thoroughly, proceed with purchasing a valid license and activating your server.
- Reconfigure Services: Check the configuration of AD, DNS, and OneIdentity Manager post-upgrade to ensure everything functions as expected.
