When analyzing the server licenses used in our corporate network with a KMS server deployed we found that a more expensive Windows Server Datacenter edition is installed on one of the host.
There was an idea to change downgrade the installed Windows Server Datacenter to Standard edition to save money.
We did not consider clean Windows Server reinstallation, because some roles are already configured, and additional software with hardware-related licenses had been installed on the server. Although Microsoft supports only Windows Server edition upgrade using DISM see the article on how to convert Windows Server Evaluation to licensed versionyou can also perform a reverse procedure and downgrade the Datacenter edition to Standard one keeping all current settings, installed roles and apps.
We strongly recommend to backup your operating system image before performing a downgrade at least through Windows Server Backup. It is better to transfer the FSMO roles and demote it from a DC to domain-member server before you do it, backup your domain controller and you can restore the DC from a backup in case of any issues.
Wait till it is over and after several restarts make sure that Windows Standard edition is now running on the host. Also you can use it to downgrade and update the version, can i upgrade windows server 2016 standard to datacenter free download example from Windows Server R2 Datacenter to Windows Server Standard although it is not recommended either. Any way to fix this? Its not working for me, after modifying the registry and running the setup.
Worked for me on Accidentally installed the wrong version, then installed all my apps. With this procedure, downgraded Datacenter to Standard. Just seemed to make sense to change that as well.
Sry for typo, any solution for this issue? Works for my Windows Server Domain Controller with changing three!
Windows OS Can i upgrade windows server 2016 standard to datacenter free download […]. This tutorial is perfect and this is the only one working on the Internet. If you use trial ISO, the first save option will be always greyed out. And finally couple of reboots, and change of license to mine slmgr. Now will promote DC again, keep fingers crossed! Worked perfectly from Datacenter to Standard. Thank you! Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.
Leave this field empty. Home About. Officially Microsoft does not support the downgrade of a higher Windows Server edition to a lower one. The officially recommended method is a clean OS installation. So you may follow the steps described below at your own risk. How to Restore Active Directory from a Backup?
Related Reading. December 2, November 23, Iqbal August 25, - am Awesome!! This is really worked well. Vlad October 14, - pm Hey guys, Its not working for me, after modifying the registry and running the setup.
Any ideas? Vlad October 14, - pm apparently this is only possible forfor it isnt working …. Matt February 12, can i upgrade windows server 2016 standard to datacenter free download pm See my comment below. It worked on for me. Matt February 12, - pm Worked for me on Squuiid November 4, - pm Worked perfectly from Datacenter to Standard. Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Notify me of followup comments via e-mail.