How to Upgrade Server 2019 to 2022: In-Place Upgrade/Clean Install

Why Upgrade Server 2019 to 2022

Any Windows operating system has its lifecycle. Since the release of Windows Server 2019 on Nov 13, 2018, it has been over five years. The mainstream support of this Server operating system ended its life on Jan 9, 2024. Its extended support will end on Jan 9, 2029. Although your computer can still receive security updates before Jan 9, 2029, we advise that you should upgrade Server 2019 to 2022.

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Why upgrade to Windows Server 2022? Always keeping your Server up to date matters a lot for the system performance and security.

According to Microsoft, Windows Server 2022 is built on Server 2019, bringing many innovations on three key topics – security, application platform, and Azure hybrid integration & management to make your system safer and more powerful.

Server 2022 supports advanced multi-layer security that offers the comprehensive protection that Servers need. Secured-core server, hardware root-of-trust, UEFI secure boot, and virtualization-based security (VBS) are the highlighted security features. Via the built-in hybrid capabilities, it is easy to extend your data centers to Azure.

Compared to Server 2019, Server 2022 is more powerful and safer. Hence, you had better upgrade to Server 2022 to have a different experience. Don’t know how to do this task? Move to the next step-by-step guide.

Preparatory Work Before Proceeding

Before starting to upgrade Server 2019 to 2022, make sure to fulfill some prerequisites.

Check System Requirements

To install Windows Server 2022, your computer should meet or exceed its system requirements, as listed below:

• Storage: 32GB of disk space
• RAM: 512 MB for Server Core or 2 GB for Server with Desktop Experience
• Processor: 1.4 GHz 64-bit processor; compatible with x64 instruction set; supports NX, DEP, CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, PrefetchW, and Second Level Address Translation (EPT or NPT)
• Network: Compliant with the PCI Express architecture specification; an Ethernet adapter that can achieve a throughput of at least 1 gigabit per second

For certain features, consider some other hardware requirements:

• UEFI 2.3.1c-based system and firmware that supports secure boot
• Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Ensure You Have a Key of Server 2022

To use Windows Server 2022, make sure you have a valid product key and activation method. Depending on the channel you got Windows Server media from (OEM, Retail, or a Commercial Licensing program), the method varies.

Back up Data Beforehand

Before you upgrade Windows Server 2019 to 2022, one of the most important things should be creating a backup for your files on the computer. This mainly because potential data loss could be a significant risk during the upgrade process. What’s more, if you clean install Server 2022 on the PC, the operation can erase your disk data and it is a good option to backup files before proceeding.

In fact, for better data safety, you had better consider backing up Windows Server every time you make a major change to OS. In case of any problem, you can use the backup for recovery so that you can use the Server as normal as before and won’t lose any data.

Then, which way should you use to back up the Server files? Run a backup tool such as MiniTool ShadowMaker. Compatible with Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11 and Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012, this backup software works well with powerful features.

• Comprehensive backup and recovery solution: supports file/folder/disk/partition/system backup & recovery
• Automatic backup: enables you to configure a scheduled plan to automatically back up files every day, week, month, or on an event
• Supports file sync and cloning HDD to SSD & moving Windows to another drive
• Creates incremental or differential backups
• Creates Win-PE recovery media

For data backup, hit the following button to download and then install MiniTool ShadowMaker on Server 2019.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Then, follow the instructions here:

Step 1: Connect an external hard drive to your Server. Next, double-click on the icon of this backup program and click Keep Trial after loading.

Step 2: Click Backup in the left pane and tap on SOURCE > Folders and Files. Then, access your computer, check the items you need to back up, and click OK.

Step 3: Go back to Backup, click DESTINATION, and choose an external drive to save the backup file.

Step 4: Start data backup by clicking Back Up Now.

Once done, take measures to upgrade Server 2019 to 2022.

Windows Server 2019 to 2022 in-Place Upgrade

When it comes to “how to upgrade Windows Server 2019 to 2022”, an in-place upgrade is a good option. This is recommended by many users. An in-place upgrade means that you can go to a newer operating system from an older one meanwhile your server roles, settings, and data are kept intact.

According to Microsoft’s upgrade path, Windows Server 2019 to 2022 in-place upgrade is available. Wonder how to upgrade Server 2019 to 2022 in this way? Here is a step-by-step guide to follow.

Step 1: For the upgrade, an ISO file of Server 2022 is necessary, and download it online.

• Log in to Windows Server, open your web browser, and visit the Windows Server 2022 download page.
• Choose a proper language as per your need and tap on the 64-bit edition link under ISO downloads to get the ISO image.

Step 2: After several minutes, the download process finishes. Locate the ISO file, right-click on it, and choose Mount to create a virtual DVD drive.

Step 3: Access this drive that contains many installation files and then run the setup file to open Windows Server Setup.

Step 4: On the Install Windows Server window, ensure you tick the box of I want to help make the installation better and click Next.

Step 5: You may be prompted to enter a product key and just do it, then click Next.

Step 6: When seeing the interface below, choose a Server edition based on your needs.

Step 7:  Click Accept to agree to applicable notices and license terms.

Step 8: Choose what you want to keep on the PC. To avoid data loss, tick Keep files, settings and apps. In this way, you also won’t need to reinstall your applications from scratch. If you want to erase your entire system, tick Nothing.

Step 9: The PC will show the Ready to install screen after completing analyzing your device. Confirm the configuration of Windows Server 2019 to 2022 in-place upgrade and click the Install button to begin the upgrade process.

Check If Your Upgrade Succeeds

After the Windows Server 2019 upgrade to 2022, make sure the upgrade is a success. According to a document on Microsoft, see these points:

1. Run Windows PowerShell with admin rights and verify if the current edition matches the media and values you have selected during Setup using the command – Get-ComputerInfo -Property WindowsProductName.
2. Make sure all the programs on your computer run as expected and the client connections to the applications are successful.

If Windows Server 2022 cannot run properly, contact Microsoft Support for help.

Clean Install Windows Server 2022 on Server 2019

Besides performing the Windows Server 2019 to 2022 upgrade via an in-place upgrade, a clean install can also be a good option. This way is simple and you can install Server 2022 on a blank server or overwrite the existing operating system, Windows Server 2019.

MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

For detailed steps on the clean install, follow the steps here:

Step 1: Download Windows Server 2022 ISO from Microsoft’s website, as mentioned above.

Step 2: Create a Server 2022 bootable USB drive from ISO – to do this, download Rufus online and launch this tool; connect your USB flash drive to the Server and choose it; locate the location where ISO is saved and select the Windows Server 2022 ISO; click START, customize Windows installation and begin burning ISO to USB.

Step 3: Turn off your computer and power it on again, meanwhile, press a key like Del, F2, or another specific key to enter the BIOS menu. Next, change the boot sequence and set the PC to boot up from your USB drive.

Step 4: After finishing the language and other preferences configuration, click the Install now button in the following Setup interface.

Step 5: Select a Server edition in accordance with your needs – Standard Evaluation, Standard Evaluation (Desktop Experience), Datacenter Evaluation, or Datacenter Evaluation (Desktop Experience).

Step 6: After accepting the applicable notice and license terms, click Custom: Install Microsoft Server Operating System only (advanced) for a clean install.

Step 7: Choose the drive to install Windows Server 2022 on and then complete the installation as the on-screen instructions say.

Whereafter, you are required to finish the Server setup and just do it according to your request. For more details, you can refer to our previous post – How to Install, Set up, and Configure Windows Server 2022.

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MiniTool ShadowMaker TrialClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Bottom Line

Windows Server 2022 is a new Server operating system that is more secure and reliable than the old versions. If you are running Windows Server 2019, try to perform Windows Server 2019 to 2022 in-place upgrade and directly clean install Server 2022 on your computer. Detailed steps are introduced in this post and follow them for the upgrade.

Before proceeding, don’t forget to create a backup of important files since the upgrade process could cause issues or delete your data.

Upgrade Server 2019 to 2022 FAQ