Windows 10: In Place Upgrade of Server 2012 Essentials to 2016 Essentials - Keeps Files & Apps Option...

I'm trying to do an in place upgrade of a server running Server 2012 R2 Essentials to Server 2016 Essentials as a temporary patch until a new server is installed in January. However, when I get to the selection as to keep everything or not The option to keep existing files and upgrade is GREYED OUT with the below error message: "you are trying to upgrade to a version of windows that is different than the one installed"How do I work around this error?Thanks

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server 2008 r2 inplace upgrade to 2012 r2 essentials?

I have less than 5 users, so I'd like to go to an essentials license when get off of 2008. I see all these docs about moving ro srndard from essentials, but can I do an in place upgrade to a 2012 ( or by steps to 2016 and use a essentials server license?
Or must this be a new install?

 

Upgrade Windows Server Essentials 2016 to 2022

I haven't done this in a while. I have a client who is moving from Windows Server 2016 Essentials to the newest version Windows Server 2022 Essentials. What steps should I follow in performing this migration? Thanks.

 

If you purchase a Windows Server 2016 essentials License with downgrade rights to 2012 r2 can you then re-upgrade back up to 2016?

We have a dell server that was purchased with Server 2016 essentials but due to some old accounting software we downgraded to Server 2012 r2. We have recently moved on from that software and would like to upgrade back up to 2016. Is this just as simple as upgrade in place to OS and the key already works as a 2016 key or do you give up your rights to 2016 once you downgrade to 2012r2?