I’m not a big fan of In-place Windows Upgrades, especially in the server environment. But we had some servers with a small application running on Windows Server 2008, so we decided to in-place upgrade this server to Windows Server 2008 R2. Now guess what, it worked. If the hardware and all applications are compatible with Windows Server 2008 R2, you can try to upgrade.
Start Windows Server 2008 R2 DVD or attached ISO file.
Choose Operation System
Now choose Upgrade
Check the compatibly report
Upgrading Windows
After that Windows reboot and if everything worked, you have now a Windows Server 2008 R2
I hope this gives you a quick look at how you can in-place upgrade Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server 2008 R2. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.
Thomas works as a Senior Cloud Advocate at Microsoft. He engages with the community and customers around the world to share his knowledge and collect feedback to improve the Azure cloud platform. Prior joining the Azure engineering team, Thomas was a Lead Architect and Microsoft MVP, to help architect, implement and promote Microsoft cloud technology.
If you want to know more about Thomas, check out his blog: www.thomasmaurer.ch and Twitter: www.twitter.com/thomasmaurer
Hi
Thanks for sharing this post. Can I check if your Windows 2008 was previously on x86 or x64 bit?
I am not sure if Windows 2008 x86 would be able to upgrade to Windows 2008 R2 considering that it is a x64 architecture.
at the start of upgrading ( Upgrading Windows … Copying Windows files (100%) Gathering files, settings, and programs) it passed 1) collecting information and failed at 2) upgrading windows with message “Setup can’t continue. Restart the computer and restart Setup. When prompted, try getting the latest updates”
at the start of upgrading ( Upgrading Windows … Copying Windows files (100%) Gathering files, settings, and programs) it passed 1) collecting information and failed at 2) upgrading windows with message “Setup can’t continue. Restart the computer and restart Setup. When prompted, try getting the latest updates”
facing the same issue. can you please help to resolve. Thanks
My name is Thomas Maurer. I am a Senior Cloud Advocate at Microsoft. I am part of the Azure engineering team (Cloud + AI) and engage with the community and customers around the world.
Opinions are my own.
Hi
Thanks for sharing this post. Can I check if your Windows 2008 was previously on x86 or x64 bit?
I am not sure if Windows 2008 x86 would be able to upgrade to Windows 2008 R2 considering that it is a x64 architecture.
In place upgrade from x86 to x64 is impossible: See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd979563(WS.10).aspx
Yes as Michel said it is not possibile to upgrade vom x86 to x64
Hi Thomas,
at the start of upgrading ( Upgrading Windows … Copying Windows files (100%) Gathering files, settings, and programs) it passed 1) collecting information and failed at 2) upgrading windows with message “Setup can’t continue. Restart the computer and restart Setup. When prompted, try getting the latest updates”
Can you please help? Thank you in advance.
Do I have to enter the installation key again’?
You will need a new key for WS2019 :)
at the start of upgrading ( Upgrading Windows … Copying Windows files (100%) Gathering files, settings, and programs) it passed 1) collecting information and failed at 2) upgrading windows with message “Setup can’t continue. Restart the computer and restart Setup. When prompted, try getting the latest updates”
facing the same issue. can you please help to resolve. Thanks