Downgrade Windows server 2016 to Windows Server 2012 R2

[Mohammed Shahed]

Hi,

I would like to know the procedure to downgrade the windows server 2016 to windows server 2012 R2. For testing purposes, I've first created a VM and installed windows server 2012 R2 and I upgraded it to windows server 2016. And now I want to downgrade the same server from windows server 2016 to windows server 2012 R2 without losing the same files, settings, and applications.

Thanks in advance

[#2]

In-place version or edition downgrade of windows server is not possible. You'll need to clean install, patch fully and migrate the roles or applications over to it.

[#3]

Also Downgrade rights:
https://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8/9/68964284-864d-4a6d-aed9-f2c1f8f23e14/downgrade_rights....