Upgrading Windows Server Evaluation 2019 to 2022 with retail licenses

Paul Gonzaga 21 Reputation points
2022-12-27T11:04:19.347+00:00

I installed Windows Server 2019 Evaluation for a new office, before purchasing the license. On purchasing a retail license, I acquired a 2022 license instead.

At this point, I would like upgrade the evaluation to full version with the retail key. Before attempting to do this, I would like to know the best way of doing it.

  1. Can I user a server 2022 license on 2019?
  2. Can I do an in-place upgrade of 2019 Evaluation to 2022 evaluation and activate with the key?

Thanks.

Windows Server 2019
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A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
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A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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Windows Server: A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.Migration: The process of making existing applications and data work on a different computer or operating system.
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  1. Anonymous
    2022-12-27T14:58:12.403+00:00

    Sorry, I corrected it. The simplest solution may be to stand up a new one for replacement.

    I'd use dcdiag / repadmin tools to verify health correcting all errors found before starting any operations. Then stand up the new 2019, patch it fully, license it, join existing domain, add active directory domain services, promote it also making it a GC (recommended), transfer FSMO roles over (optional), transfer pdc emulator role (optional), use dcdiag / repadmin tools to again verify health, when all is good you can decommission / demote old one.

    --please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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  1. Anonymous
    2022-12-27T13:51:29.297+00:00
    1. No you could not, a Server 2019 product key would be required.
    2. You can't do an in-place upgrade from an evaluation. You must clean install it.

    --please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

  2. Anonymous
    2022-12-27T15:35:11.267+00:00

    You could try the storage migration service.
    https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/storage-migration-service/migrate-data

    also note it isn't recommended to install other roles on a domain controller. Better option may be to install hyper-v role (as only role) on host, then stand up two virtual machines. One for active directory domain services and another as application server.

    --please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

  3. Paul Gonzaga 21 Reputation points
    2022-12-29T19:23:57.477+00:00

    I haven't executed the tasks. Will do this next week and will update you.

    Thanks

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