Upgrading and updating Windows Server AMA

Event details

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

Brass Contributor

Mar 09, 2023

I hope there's not a question limit!

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?

Cliff_Fisher

Microsoft

Mar 09, 2023

The recommended way to upgrade a domain is to promote domain controllers that run newer versions of Windows Server & demote older DCs as needed. Details here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/deploy/upgrade-domain-controllers Keep in mind that FRS should also be migrated to DFSR as part of your upgrade, especially if you are deploying Server 2022.