Do you know how to upgrade Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 to 2016 without losing data?

It has many excellent and advanced features attracting Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 users to change their system.

Some users may still be reluctant to part with the old Server system.

How to Upgrade Windows Server 2016 to 2019 Without Losing Data?

This upgrade is available for both Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 users.

The version upgrade among Servers will erase all your data.

  1. confirm the system and applications installed have been up to date.

choose the backup source

Clean up unnecessary data as much as possible and verify if your disk has enough space.

Prepare a Windows Server 2016 Setup media.

How to Upgrade Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 to 2016 Without Losing Data?

choose the backup destination

To collect the diagnostic information, it’s possible for you to do as follows.

Step 1: Run an elevated PowerShell prompt as administrator and write down the current directory.

Step 2: initiate the following commands.

configure the backup settings

Step 3: Go toFile Explorerand navigate to the noted directory.

Then copy the files to your external hard drive or web connection location from your setup.

MiniTool ShadowMaker, asfree backup software, has many wonderful features available to improve the user experience.

choose language

It provides multiple backup sources, including files, folders, partitions, disks, and your system.

You are allowed to apply aServer backupfordata backup and recovery.

You just need to configure the time point and choose schemes among full, incremental, and differential backups.

choose the installation

Download and install MiniTool ShadowMaker and you will get a 30-day free trial version.

Step 1: Launch the program and clickKeep Trialto enter the interface.

Step 2: In theBackuptab, choose theSOURCEsection where the system-included partitions have been set by default.

click Media Builder

If you want to back up others, you could chooseDisk and PartitionsandFolders and Files.

Step 4: Choose theOptionsfeature if you want to configure the backup options.

Alternatively, chooseBack Up Laterand start it in theManagetab when needed.

Related post:How to Clone Windows Server to HDD/SSD?

Here Is a Guide!

Here is the detailed guide and just follow that one by one.

Step 2: Locate and browse the root of the installation media and double-click setup.exe.

Step 4: Then you may clickInstall nowto start the setup.

Choose the one that meets your organizations requirements and clickNext.

Step 7: After that, Microsoft will show you a series of applicable notices and license terms.

it’s possible for you to clickAcceptto continue the procedures.

each one has a detailed explanation and you’re free to choose them based on your demands.

Here, you’re free to choose the second one for Windows only.

Step 9: Choose the right drive to start the installation.

Then Windows will automatically check your system for compatibility and start the upgrade process.

like be patient and the installation may take some time to finish.

you’ve got the option to follow the on-screen prompts to customize the parameters.

It will be easier to perform only if you choose a reliable utility MiniTool ShadowMaker.

If you are worried about hardware compatibility issues, MiniTool can resolve that easily viaUniversal Restore.

Connect the two drives to the target computer, enter the MiniTool recovery environment.

After that, open MiniTool ShadowMaker in WinPE and chooseUniversal RestoreinTools.

This feature will automatically detect and list all the operating systems that are installed on the hard disk.

Just choose the one you need and click theRESTOREbutton to continue.

Some people will ignore this step but that is necessary.

Upgrade Windows Server 2012/2012 R2 to 2016 FAQ