The Windows Server 2016 is a cloud-ready operating system that delivers new layers of security and Azure-inspired innovation for the applications and infrastructure. If you would like to try this out in a lab environment, download it here. In some of my other posts, We have gone through the installation of Windows Server 2016 and the installation of Windows Server 2019. Also, I have configured and deployed Windows 10 via Windows Deployment Services (WDS).
See these guides for more information on how to set up a VM via PXE boot on a Generation 1 VM and how to set up a VM via PXE boot on a Generation 2 VM. Note: You can do an in-place upgrade from Windows Server 2012 R2 to Server 2019.
On my Windows Server 2016 lab VM. I mounted the Windows Server 2019 iso file, so let’s upgrade. In my next article, I will be demonstrating how a server can be upgraded from WS 2012 to 2019. As you can see below, we are currently running Windows Server 2016, Datacenter Evaluation Edition.
Here are the Windows Server 2019 Install Options;
– Server Core: It’s a smaller installation that includes the core components of Windows Server and supports all server roles, but does not include a graphical user interface (GUI).
– Server with Desktop Experience: This is the complete installation and includes a full GUI for customers.
Windows Server 2016 requires a direct upgrade process unlike Windows Server 2012. We will be proceeding with the installation as shown below.
– Mount the WS 2019 ISO Image on WS 2016 VM as shown below. Download Virtual Clone in order to do this.
Double click on the mounted ISO in order to continue the setup
This will open up the Windows Server 2019 setup as shown below
– Click on Download Updates, drivers and Optional features (recommended).
– Click on Next
This will check for updates and also check your PC
This will launch the setup “Select Image” window as shown below
– Click on Next
Accept the License as shown below
This will open up a new window instructing you on what to keep. I will go with “Nothing”
– Click on Next
When you choose nothing, this will prompt you to select yes in order to be very sure you want to continue
Windows will collect updates and when prepare the system for installation.
This will make sure your system has enough space to install the Operating System and ensure everything is ok.
This will prompt the Read to Install Window as shown below
– Click on Install as shown below.
Now the server upgrade process begins as shown below. This can take a while!
The following windows below show Windows Server 2019 is still installing.
– Note: Your server will restart multiple times.
Let customise the server by entering the following information as it relates to you.
– When you are done, click on Next
Enter the password to your Administrators account as shown below
– This step will finalise the Windows Server 2016 to Windows Server 2019 Upgrade
When Windows is done applying settings, you can now log on to your server a shown below.
Now we are logged on to the server, lets access the server system properties as shown below.
Now we are done upgrading to Windows Server 2019. You can install additional roles and features needed to make this server operational. For some examples, see the following links below. how to set up a Domain Controller, how to add a second Domain Controller to your environment, how to install and configure Active Directory Federation Service (ADFS) in Windows Server, and how to install Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol on Windows Server 2019.
Here you can have a look at the basic settings such as the time zone, ITÉ security setting, firewall, and Remote Desktop, etc. For the configuration of a new server, see this guide “Post-installation of this server“.
To ensure everything was successfully upgraded, we need to access the registry.
On the server, run RegEdit. Check the value of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion hive. The version should show Windows Server 2019. See the following articles below for more information about the Windows registry.
- How to search through the Windows registry.
- For what Registry Editor is and how to access the registry hives.
I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.