Everything on Windows Server In-Place Upgrade vs Clean Install

Windows Server Upgrade: Comparison of In-Place Upgrade vs. New Installation

This article will explore the differences, advantages and disadvantages, and operation steps of Windows Server's in-place upgrade and new installation methods. Whether you want to use the Windows Server operating system on your PC or upgrade an existing server, this guide will help you make an informed choice.

What is Windows Server In-place Upgrade?

In-place upgrade refers to upgrading the current server operating system to the latest version, while retaining existing system configurations, applications, and files without data migration. You can do this using the installation media or the ISO file. This approach minimizes the need for reconfiguration and data migration, especially for configured servers.

What is a new installation of Windows Server?

A fresh installation of Windows Server means completely erasing the current operating system and then installing a new copy from scratch. This is great if you want to switch to a new version of Windows Server, or if you have an existing system that is damaged and needs to start over.

Comparison of advantages and disadvantages of on-site upgrade and brand new installation

method	advantage	shortcoming
Upgrade on the spot	Keep settings, applications and files without reinstalling the operating system and applications and migrating data; reduce potential compatibility issues or risks of conflict with specific applications; simple operation, with almost no technical skills required.	A large number of old, unused files, registry entries for some uninstalled programs, and other types of files may accumulate; some applications may be incompatible with new versions; configuration issues will be difficult to fix after upgrading.
Brand new installation	Provides a clean and stable operating system environment; eliminates any conflicts from previous configurations; ensures optimal PC performance.	Applications need to be reinstalled and settings reconfigured; your files will be cleared and backups will be created in advance; if complex server settings are required, it will be very time-consuming.

Backup files in advance

Whichever method you use, you should back up important files before performing the action. Because some potential problems may occur during the upgrade process or after a fresh installation, resulting in data loss. It is recommended to use reliable server backup software for backup.

Step 1: Connect the USB drive or external device to the server and start the backup software.

Step 2: Select the content you want to back up and select the USB drive or external drive as the destination location.

Step 3: Click "Back Up Now".

How to upgrade on-site?

According to Microsoft's instructions, in-place upgrades to Windows Server are not possible in all cases. The following table lists the upgradeability of different versions of servers:

Take upgrading Windows Server 2019 to 2022 as an example:

Step 1: Download Windows Server 2022 ISO from Microsoft.

Step 2: Locate the downloaded ISO file and mount it to the virtual drive, and open it.

Step 3: Double-click the installation file to open the installation interface.

Step 4: Check "I want to help improve the installation process" and enter the key.

Step 5: Select the server version according to your needs.

Step 6: Accept the license terms and select the content you want to keep.

Step 7: Follow the prompts to complete the rest.

How to perform a brand new installation?

Step 1: Get Windows Server ISO online.

Step 2: Burn the ISO to USB, restart the system to enter the BIOS, change the startup sequence, and run the PC from USB.

Step 3: In the Windows installation interface, follow the instructions to complete the installation.

Summarize

This article provides a comprehensive introduction to the in-place upgrade and new installation of Windows Server. Choose the appropriate method to upgrade or install the server operating system according to your actual situation.

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