Upgrade Windows Server 2019 to 2022 via iDRAC

In this article, I will show you how to Upgrade Windows Server 2019 to 2022 via iDRAC. The Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is designed to make server administrators more productive. And improve the overall availability of Dell servers. iDRAC alerts administrators to server issues, helps them perform remote server management and reduces the need for physical access to the server. Please see how to update the BIOS on your Dell system, and the Reasons for BitLocker Recovery Mode Prompt.

Additionally, iDRAC enables administrators to deploy, monitor, manage, configure, update, and troubleshoot Dell EMC servers from any location without using any agents. It accomplishes this regardless of the operating system or hypervisor presence or state.

iDRAC provides out-of-band mechanisms for configuring the server, applying firmware updates, saving or restoring a system backup, or deploying an operating system. By using the iDRAC GUI, the iDRAC RESTful API or the RACADM command line interface.

Please see how to upgrade Windows Server Evaluation to Full Version, and “MSSQL Server evaluation period has expired: How to upgrade SQL Server instance“. Here is how to install and upgrade Docker Engine from binaries on Windows Server.

Why Should you upgrade your Server?

Did you know that running the latest version of Windows Server allows you to use the latest features? This includes running the latest security features that deliver the best performance. You can upgrade to a newer version of Windows Server by up to two versions at a time. The table below shows the supported upgrade paths, based on the version you’re currently on.

This image shows Windows Server 2016 can be upgraded to Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022.

Please see these related articles on how to perform an in-place upgrade from Windows Server 2016 to Windows Server 2019, How to perform an in-place upgrade for Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019, and how to update WampServer to Latest Version.

Upgrade Windows Server 2019 to Windows Server 2022

Open your favourite web browser and type the URL of the server via iDRAC or iLO interface.  For Dell servers this is iDrac and for HP it’s ILO. Please see What is the difference between iDRAC, IPMI, and ILO, How to update the BIOS on your Dell system,

Depending on the version of iDRAC you are running, you have various options for running the virtual console. Enter your credentials to log in to the iDRAC interface, and when you are done, click on submit. Please see this link on how to set up and Manage Your iDRAC.

Launch the virtual console.

Click on the Console Control

Click on Apply on the Keyboard Macros

Note: You could map the ISO file on the server itself and still perform these steps as discussed in these guides “How to perform an in-place upgrade for Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019, and how to Upgrade Windows 11 Pro to Enterprise and vice Versa”.

This is possible If you are running the iDRAC from a server and that server is 2012 R2 or higher

Mounted the ISO file

Since I have mounted the ISO file already, there is no need to attach the Virtual Media file. Please see Mount an ISO image in Windows 10 and 11, and how to fix the “Error 0x80070002: When trying to mount an image file“.

Note: If you have not mounted the ISO file already, please click on attach the Virtual Media File.

After mounting, double-click on the mounted ISO in order to continue the setup.

This will open up the Windows Server 2022 setup wizard. Click on next to continue.

This will check for updates, and your PC for the necessary requirements. The simple reason I am doing this over iDRAC is just to watch all the steps of the server upgrade 🙂

This will launch the setup “Select Image” window. You could select any of these by clicking on the Operating System of your choice.

I have decided to choose Windows 2022 Standard (Desktop Experience). Click on Next to continue

Accept the License agreement

Decide on what to keep

On the next screen, you may select to Keep your personal files and apps or just wipe everything, I have chosen to keep my files, then I clicked Next.

In this article, I have deselected not to keep any file “How to perform an in-place upgrade from Windows Server 2016 to Windows Server 2019“.

Windows will collect updates and will prepare the system for installation.

This will make sure your system has enough space to install the Operating System and ensure everything is ok.

Please see How to remove OneDrive from Windows via DISM, how to install Windows Server 2022 on VMware Workstation, How to add Registry keys via DISM in Windows, and how to block upgrade to Windows 11 through Local Group Policy or Registry Editor from Windows 10.

Windows Server 2022 Install/Upgrade

Click on Install to proceed with the installation of Windows Server 2022 (Desktop Experience).

Now the server upgrade process has begun.

Like I said before, because you are connected via iDRAC, you will have access to your PC even when it restarts without you trying to RDP once again to check the upgrade process.

iDRAC provides both a web interface and command-line interface that allows administrators to perform remote management tasks. Key features include server power management, hardware sensor monitoring, remote console capabilities, and virtual media access. iDRAC also allows for the installation of an operating system to be performed remotely.

Note: The device will restart multiple times

Also, see Upgrade Driver Automation Tool: How to automate Windows drivers with the SCConfigMgr on Windows, and how to install SCConfigMgr Driver Automation Tool on Windows 10 and Windows Server.

Access Windows Server 2022

When Windows is done applying settings, you can now log on to your server as shown below. Please see these exciting articles: Quiescing error in vCenter Server, how to use Pleasant Password Server tool, How To Use Pleasant Password Private Folder.

Next, click on Console control, and on Apply on the Keyboard Macros once again.

After the upgrade is completed, verify that the upgrade to Windows Server 2022 was successful by going to (About) the System Properties as shown below.

I hope you found this blog post helpful on how to upgrade Windows Server 2019 to 2022 via iDRAC. Please let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.