How to Migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V

Learn how to migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V with minimal downtime and preserve the old domain.

If you are running Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials and want to upgrade to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V, you might be wondering how to do it without losing your domain settings and data. In this article, we will show you how to migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V using a step-by-step guide. We will also provide some tips and best practices to ensure a smooth and successful migration.

What is Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials and Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V?

Before we start the migration process, let’s briefly review what Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials and Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V are and why you might want to migrate from one to the other.

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials is a server operating system designed for small businesses with up to 25 users and 50 devices. It provides features such as domain controller, file and print server, backup and restore, remote access, and cloud integration. Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials is limited to one physical server and one virtual machine, and it does not support Hyper-V role or other advanced server features.

Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V

Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V is a server operating system that supports Hyper-V role and allows you to create and manage virtual machines on your physical server. Hyper-V is a virtualization technology that enables you to run multiple operating systems on the same hardware, which can improve performance, security, and scalability. Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V also supports other server features such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, file and storage services, and more. Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V allows you to run up to two virtual machines with the same license, and you can purchase additional licenses for more virtual machines.

Why Migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V?

There are several reasons why you might want to migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V, such as:

• You want to take advantage of the new features and improvements in Windows Server 2022, such as enhanced security, hybrid capabilities, container support, and more.
• You want to use Hyper-V to create and manage virtual machines on your server, which can help you optimize your resources, reduce costs, and increase flexibility.
• You want to expand your business and need more users, devices, or servers than Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials can support.
• You want to have more control and customization over your server settings and roles than Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials allows.

How to Migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V?

The migration process from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V involves the following steps:

1. Prepare your old and new servers for migration.
2. Convert your Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard.
3. Upgrade your Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard to Windows Server 2022 Standard.
4. Install and configure Hyper-V role on your Windows Server 2022 Standard.
5. Export and import your virtual machines from your old server to your new server.
6. Verify and finalize your migration.

Let’s go through each step in detail.

Step 1: Prepare your old and new servers for migration

Before you start the migration, you need to prepare your old and new servers for migration. This includes:

• Backing up your data and settings on your old server, such as files, folders, databases, applications, and domain configuration. You can use the built-in Windows Server Backup feature or a third-party backup software to do this. Make sure you store your backup in a safe and accessible location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service.
• Checking the hardware and software compatibility of your new server with Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V. You can use the Windows Server 2022 System Requirements and the Windows Server 2022 Compatibility Report to do this. Make sure your new server meets the minimum requirements and has the latest drivers and firmware updates installed.
• Obtaining the product keys and licenses for Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard and Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V. You can use the same product key for Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard and Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, but you need a different product key for Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V. You can purchase the product keys and licenses from Microsoft or a trusted reseller.
• Planning your migration strategy and schedule. You need to decide how you want to migrate your data and settings from your old server to your new server, such as using a network connection, a removable media, or a cloud service. You also need to decide when you want to perform the migration, such as during off-peak hours or weekends, to minimize the impact on your business operations and users.

Step 2: Convert your Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard

The next step is to convert your Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard. This is necessary because you cannot upgrade directly from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V. To convert your Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard, you need to use the DISM command-line tool. This tool allows you to change the edition of your Windows Server without losing your data and settings. To use the DISM tool, you need to follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt on your old server. You can do this by clicking the Start button, typing cmd, right-clicking Command Prompt, and selecting Run as administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition. This command will display the current edition of your Windows Server, which should be Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials.
3. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions. This command will display the available editions that you can upgrade to, which should include Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard.
4. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /online /Set-Edition:ServerStandard /ProductKey:xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx /AcceptEula. Replace the xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx with your product key for Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard. This command will change the edition of your Windows Server to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard and activate it with your product key. You need to accept the end-user license agreement (EULA) to proceed.
5. Wait for the process to complete. You will see a message that says “The operation completed successfully” when it is done.
6. Restart your old server to apply the changes. You can do this by typing the following command and pressing Enter: shutdown /r /t 0.

After you restart your old server, you should see that it is now running Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard. You can verify this by opening the System Properties window and checking the Windows edition section.

Step 3: Upgrade your Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard to Windows Server 2022 Standard

The next step is to upgrade your Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard to Windows Server 2022 Standard. This is the main step of the migration process, where you will install the new operating system on your old server. To upgrade your Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard to Windows Server 2022 Standard, you need to follow these steps:

1. Insert the installation media for Windows Server 2022 Standard into your old server. You can use a DVD, a USB flash drive, or an ISO file to do this. If you use an ISO file, you need to mount it as a virtual drive first.
2. Run the setup.exe file from the installation media. You can do this by opening the File Explorer, navigating to the installation media, and double-clicking the setup.exe file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to start the upgrade process. You will need to select the language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method for your Windows Server 2022 Standard. You will also need to enter your product key for Windows Server 2022 Standard and accept the EULA.
4. Choose the option to keep your personal files and apps. This option will preserve your data and settings from your Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard and migrate them to your Windows Server 2022 Standard. You can also choose the option to keep nothing if you want to start fresh, but this will erase everything on your old server.
5. Wait for the upgrade process to complete. This may take some time depending on the size and speed of your old server. You will see a message that says “Your PC will restart several times” during the process.
6. Restart your old server to apply the changes. The setup will do this automatically for you.

After you restart your old server, you should see that it is now running Windows Server 2022 Standard. You can verify this by opening the System Properties window and checking the Windows edition section.

Step 4: Install and configure Hyper-V role on your Windows Server 2022 Standard

The next step is to install and configure Hyper-V role on your Windows Server 2022 Standard. This is the step where you will enable the virtualization feature on your new server and create and manage your virtual machines. To install and configure Hyper-V role on your Windows Server 2022 Standard, you need to follow these steps:

1. Open the Server Manager dashboard on your new server. You can do this by clicking the Start button and selecting Server Manager.
2. Click the Manage menu and select Add Roles and Features. This will launch the Add Roles and Features Wizard.
3. On the Before You Begin page, click Next.
4. On the Select Installation Type page, select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
5. On the Select Destination Server page, select your new server from the server pool and click Next.
6. On the Select Server Roles page, check the box next to Hyper-V and click Next. You will see a pop-up window that says “Add features that are required for Hyper-V”. Click Add Features to confirm.
7. On the Select Features page, click Next.
8. On the Hyper-V page, click Next.
9. On the Create Virtual Switches page, you can create one or more virtual switches for your virtual machines to connect to the network. A virtual switch is a software-based network device that allows your virtual machines to communicate with each other and with the physical network. You can choose to create a virtual switch later, but we recommend that you create at least one virtual switch now. To create a virtual switch, follow these steps:
   • Click the Create Virtual Switch button. This will open the Virtual Switch Manager window.
   • On the left pane, select New virtual network switch and choose the type of switch you want to create. There are three types of switches: external, internal, and private. An external switch connects your virtual machines to the physical network and the internet. An internal switch connects your virtual machines to each other and to the host server. A private switch connects your virtual machines to each other only. Choose the type of switch that suits your needs and click Create Virtual Switch.
   • On the right pane, enter a name for your virtual switch and select the network adapter that you want to use for the switch. You can also configure other settings such as VLAN ID, bandwidth management, and security features. Click OK to create the virtual switch.
   • Repeat these steps to create more virtual switches if you need to.
   • Close the Virtual Switch Manager window and click Next on the Create Virtual Switches page.
10. On the Virtual Machine Migration page, you can enable the live migration feature for your virtual machines. Live migration allows you to move your running virtual machines from one host server to another without any downtime or interruption. This can help you balance the workload, perform maintenance, or recover from failures. To enable live migration, follow these steps:
    • Check the box next to Enable incoming and outgoing live migrations of virtual machines and click Next.
    • On the Select Authentication Protocol page, select the authentication protocol that you want to use for live migration. There are two options: CredSSP and Kerberos. CredSSP is a simple and secure protocol that requires you to enter your credentials on the source and destination servers. Kerberos is a more complex and secure protocol that requires you to configure constrained delegation on the Active Directory domain controller. Choose the option that suits your needs and click Next.
    • On the Select Performance Options page, select the performance option that you want to use for live migration. There are three options: TCP/IP, Compression, and SMB. TCP/IP is the default option that uses the network bandwidth to transfer the virtual machine memory. Compression is an option that compresses the virtual machine memory before transferring it, which can reduce the network traffic and the migration time. SMB is an option that uses the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol to transfer the virtual machine files, which can leverage the SMB features such as multichannel and RDMA. Choose the option that suits your needs and click Next.
11. On the Default Stores page, you can specify the default locations for your virtual machine files and virtual hard disk files. You can choose to use the default locations or browse to a different location. Click Next to continue.
12. On the Confirm Installation Selections page, review your selections and click Install. This will start the installation of Hyper-V role on your new server.
13. Wait for the installation to complete. You will see a message that says “Installation succeeded” when it is done.
14. Restart your new server to apply the changes. The wizard will prompt you to do this.

After you restart your new server, you should see that Hyper-V role is installed and configured on your Windows Server 2022 Standard. You can verify this by opening the Server Manager dashboard and checking the Roles and Features section. You can also open the Hyper-V Manager console by clicking the Tools menu and selecting Hyper-V Manager. This is where you can create and manage your virtual machines.

Step 5: Export and import your virtual machines from your old server to your new server

The next step is to export and import your virtual machines from your old server to your new server. This is the step where you will transfer your existing virtual machines from your Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard to your Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V. To export and import your virtual machines, you need to follow these steps:

1. On your old server, open the Hyper-V Manager console. You can do this by clicking the Start button, typing Hyper-V Manager, and selecting Hyper-V Manager.
2. On the left pane, select your old server and click the Virtual Machines section.
3. On the right pane, select the virtual machine that you want to export and right-click it. Select Export from the context menu. This will open the Export Virtual Machine window.
4. On the Export Virtual Machine window, browse to the location where you want to save the exported virtual machine files. You can use a network share, a removable media, or a cloud service to do this. Make sure you have enough space and permissions to write to the location. Click Export to start the export process.
5. Wait for the export process to complete. You will see a message that says “Export succeeded” when it is done.
6. Repeat these steps to export more virtual machines if you need to.
7. On your new server, open the Hyper-V Manager console. You can do this by clicking the Tools menu and selecting Hyper-V Manager.
8. On the left pane, select your new server and click the Virtual Machines section.
9. On the right pane, click the Import Virtual Machine link. This will launch the Import Virtual Machine Wizard.
10. On the Before You Begin page, click Next.
11. On the Locate Folder page, browse to the location where you saved the exported virtual machine files. You can use a network share, a removable media, or a cloud service to do this. Make sure you have enough space and permissions to read from the location. Click Next to continue.
12. On the Select Virtual Machine page, select the virtual machine that you want to import and click Next.
13. On the Choose Import Type page, select the import type that you want to use for the virtual machine. There are three options: Register, Restore, and Copy. Register is an option that registers the virtual machine in place, which means it will use the same location and settings as the exported virtual machine. Restore is an option that restores the virtual machine to a new location, which means it will copy the exported virtual machine files to a new location and use the same settings as the exported virtual machine. Copy is an option that copies the virtual machine with a new unique ID, which means it will copy the exported virtual machine files to a new location and create a new virtual machine with a different ID and settings. Choose the option that suits your needs and click Next.
14. On the Choose Folders to Store Virtual Hard Disks page, you can specify the location where you want to store the virtual hard disk files for the imported virtual machine. You can choose to use the default location or browse to a different location. Click Next to continue.
15. On the Choose Folders to Store Virtual Machine Files page, you can specify the location where you want to store the virtual machine files for the imported virtual machine. You can choose to use the default location or browse to a different location. Click Next to continue.
16. On the Summary page, review your selections and click Finish. This will start the import process.
17. Wait for the import process to complete. You will see a message that says “Import succeeded” when it is done.
18. Repeat these steps to import more virtual machines if you need to.

After you import your virtual machines, you should see them on the Hyper-V Manager console on your new server. You can start, stop, connect, and configure them as you wish.

Step 6: Verify and finalize your migration

The final step is to verify and finalize your migration. This is the step where you will check the status and functionality of your new server and your virtual machines. You will also perform some cleanup and optimization tasks to ensure a smooth and successful migration. To verify and finalize your migration, you need to follow these steps:

1. On your new server, open the Server Manager dashboard and check the Roles and Features section. Make sure that Hyper-V role and all the features that you need are installed and configured correctly.
2. On your new server, open the Hyper-V Manager console and check the Virtual Machines section. Make sure that all your virtual machines are imported and running properly. You can also check the settings and properties of each virtual machine and make any adjustments if needed.
3. On your new server, open the Event Viewer and check the Application and Services Logs section. Look for any errors or warnings related to Hyper-V or your virtual machines. You can also check the System and Security sections for any other issues. If you find any problems, troubleshoot and resolve them accordingly.
4. On your new server, open the Task Manager and check the Performance tab. Monitor the CPU, memory, disk, and network usage of your new server and your virtual machines. Make sure that they are not overloaded or underutilized. You can also check the Processes and Details tabs for more information. If you find any performance issues, optimize and tune your new server and your virtual machines accordingly.

1. On your old server, open the Server Manager dashboard and check the Roles and Features section. Remove any roles and features that you no longer need or use on your old server, such as Hyper-V role and other server features. This will free up some resources and space on your old server.
2. On your old server, open the Hyper-V Manager console and check the Virtual Machines section. Delete any virtual machines that you have exported and imported to your new server, as they are no longer needed on your old server. This will also free up some resources and space on your old server.
3. On your old server, open the File Explorer and check the location where you saved the exported virtual machine files. Delete any exported virtual machine files that you have imported to your new server, as they are no longer needed on your old server. This will also free up some space on your old server.
4. On your old server, open the Windows Server Backup feature or the third-party backup software that you used to back up your data and settings. Delete any backup files that you no longer need or use on your old server, as they are no longer relevant or valid. This will also free up some space on your old server or your backup location.
5. On your new server and your old server, run the Disk Cleanup tool to remove any temporary or unnecessary files that might have accumulated during the migration process. You can do this by clicking the Start button, typing Disk Cleanup, and selecting Disk Cleanup. You can also run the Defragment and Optimize Drives tool to improve the performance and efficiency of your disks. You can do this by clicking the Start button, typing Defragment and Optimize Drives, and selecting Defragment and Optimize Drives.
6. On your new server and your old server, run the Windows Update feature to check for any updates or patches that might be available for your operating system or your applications. You can do this by clicking the Start button, typing Windows Update, and selecting Windows Update. You can also run the Windows Security feature to check for any security issues or threats that might affect your server or your virtual machines. You can do this by clicking the Start button, typing Windows Security, and selecting Windows Security.

After you verify and finalize your migration, you should have a fully functional and optimized Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V with your virtual machines running on it. You can also enjoy the new features and benefits of Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V, such as enhanced security, hybrid capabilities, container support, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to the migration from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V:

Question: Can I migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V without converting to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard first?

Answer: No, you cannot. You need to convert your Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard first, as there is no direct upgrade path from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V.

Question: Can I migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V without installing and configuring Hyper-V role on the new server?

Answer: No, you cannot. You need to install and configure Hyper-V role on your Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V, as this is the feature that allows you to create and manage virtual machines on your new server.

Question: Can I migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V without exporting and importing my virtual machines from the old server to the new server?

Answer: No, you cannot. You need to export and import your virtual machines from your old server to your new server, as this is the method that allows you to transfer your existing virtual machines from your Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard to your Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V.

Question: Can I migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V without verifying and finalizing my migration?

Answer: No, you cannot. You need to verify and finalize your migration, as this is the step that allows you to check the status and functionality of your new server and your virtual machines, and perform some cleanup and optimization tasks to ensure a smooth and successful migration.

Summary

In this article, we have shown you how to migrate from Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Windows Server 2022 Standard Hyper-V with minimal downtime and preserve the old domain. We have also provided some tips and best practices to ensure a smooth and successful migration. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions or recommendations in this article. You should always consult a qualified IT professional before performing any migration or upgrade tasks on your server or your virtual machines. You should also always backup your data and settings before performing any migration or upgrade tasks on your server or your virtual machines. You should also always test your migration or upgrade tasks on a non-production environment before applying them to a production environment. You should also always follow the official documentation and guidelines from Microsoft or other vendors when performing any migration or upgrade tasks on your server or your virtual machines. You should also always comply with the licensing and legal requirements of your operating system and your applications when performing any migration or upgrade tasks on your server or your virtual machines.