Upgrading Windows Server 2008 R2 editions with DISM

When an environment evolves (growth, mergers, different needs) you have might very well have resource needs above and beyond the  limits of the original Windows edition that was installed. Scaling out might not the right (or possible) solution you so scale up is alternative option. Today with Windows Server 2008 R2 this is very easy.

Please note the following:

• You can only do upgrades. You CANNOT downgrade
• The server you upgrade cannot be a domain controller (demote, upgrade, promote)
• This works on Standard, Enterprise edition, both full & core installations.
• You cannot switch form core to full or vice versa. It’s edition upgrade only, not  for switching type of install.

Upgrade Scenario:

From Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard to Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise or  Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter.

From Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard Server Core to Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Server Core or Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter Server Core.

From Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation to Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard.

To determine the installed edition, run:

DISM /online /Get-CurrentEdition

To check the possible target editions, run:

DISM /online /Get-TargetEditions

To Start the upgrade, run;

DISM /online /Set-Edition:<edition ID> /ProductKey:XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Where XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX is the product key.