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Join us for our March 9 “Ask Microsoft Anything” chat about Windows Server updates and upgrades. We’ll cover your questions on how to stay more secure by upgrading older servers (2008 and 2012 versio...
EricStarker
Updated Mar 09, 2023
windows server
MattTheSysAdmin's avatar
MattTheSysAdmin
Brass Contributor
Mar 09, 2023

I hope there's not a question limit! :flushed:

 

When upgrading Domain Controllers, I've never done in place upgrades. I heard somewhere long ago its not the done thing, but I can't remember where or why.

I've always built new DC's, then stolen the IP address and promoted in place, all the way back from 2003 until now in 2019.

The young whipper snappers on my team tells me this is an old way of thinking....

 

Question:

Are in-place upgrades of Domain Controllers properly supported now, or even recommended? Any Caveats we should be aware of?

  • Michael Painter's avatar
    Michael Painter
    Copper Contributor
    Mar 09, 2023
    I personally have had good experience upgrading DCs as long as not SBS. Took one from Server 2008, to Server 2019, had to stop at 2012R2 first... But all of their accounts, applications, databases etc. Came through. The first step was to P2V the server on new hardware using Hyper-V.