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→How an Upgrade to Windows Server 2008 Works
== How an Upgrade to Windows Server 2008 Works ==
During the Windows Server 2008 upgrade process the files, folders and applications associated with the previously installed Windows version are relocated to a ''windows.old'' folder and all user settings stored. Once this task is complete, a clean installation of the new operating system is performed and the saved user settings migrated to the new environment.
== Performing the Upgrade ==
An upgrade to Windows Server 2008 can only be performed by launching the installation process from within the currently installed operating system. it is not possible to perform an upgrade by booting from the installation media. To initiate the upgrade process, therefore, boot the existing Windows installation (if not already running), log into an account with administrative privileges and insert the installation DVD. If the system is configured to do so, the setup process on the DVD will autorun once it is mounted displaying the Windows Server 2008 installation screen:
[Image:windows_server_2008_install_now.jpg|The Windows Server 2008 Install Now screen]]
From this screen the installation may be started by clicking on the ''Install now'' button. Alternatively, the ''What To Know Before Installing Windows Server 2008'' link will provide information of system requirements and advice about issues such as application and driver compatibility. Clicking on the ''Install now'' proceeds to the next screen. If the setup program detects an internet connection on the host operating system the next screen displayed will
[[Image:windows_server_2008_install_updates.jpg|The Windows Server 2008 Installation Updates]]
''Product Key Activation'' screen shown in the following figure:
[[Image:windows_server_2008_activation.jpg|The Windows Server 2008 Product Activation Screen]]
== Windows Server 2008 Activation ==
As mentioned previously it is not necessary to enter a key at this point in order to run Windows Server 2008. Failure to enter an activation key simply means that the operating system run in ''trial mode'' which can only be extended for a total of 270 days. If you have an activation key enter it here. Alternatively click on the ''Next'' button to proceed to the next stage of the installation. If an activation key was not entered a warning dialog will appear stating that it may be necessary to re-install Windows at a later date (i.e when the trail ends) resulting in lost data. In practice it is possible to perform the activation before the trial ends without the need to re-install. If presented with this dialog click "No" to proceed.
If an activation key was not entered the next screen will ask that the required Windows Server 2008 Edition be selected. Select the desired edition, check the box to confirm the selection and click ''Next'' to proceed. If an activation key was entered the installer already knows which edition to install. Note that ''Core'' versions of each edition are available. The core installation is a minimal installation of the operating system with no GUI interface and only a subset of services available by default. This configuration is intended for ''headless'' servers and situations where the smallest possible attack surface is required.
Read and agree (assuming you do agree) to the license terms and proceed to the next screen where the options to upgrade or perform a clean installation are provided. If the installer was invoked by booting from the DVD, or the host operating system is not suitable for upgrade on the clean installation option will be provided. Select this option to proceed.
== Disk and Partition Management ==
The next screen provides an interface for selecting and configuring disks and partitions for the installation. Initially, this screen displays a list of physical disk drives available on the system together with any pre-existing partitions on this disks.
Clicking on the ''Drive options (advanced)'' displays a number of options including the deletion, creation and formatting of partitions on the listed disk drives. In addition, the ''Load driver'' option allows any driver necessary to access a disk drive to be loaded into to system so that that device may be used as an installation destination. For the purposes of this installation the entire disk drive will be used as the installation target. The following figure shows a single, unpartitioned disk drive with the ''Drive options'' displayed:
[[Image:windows_server_2008_disk_partitions.jpg|Selecting a Windows Server 2008 installation disk]]
Click next to begin the installation process. A new screen will appear listing the progress of the installation and highlighting the fact that the system will reboot a number of times during the installation.
== Accessing the Command Prompt During Installation ==
At any point during the setup process (except when the installation is actually being performed) ''Shift+F10'' may be pressed to gain access to the command-prompt. From within this command prompt window most of the standard Windows Server 2008 command-line tools are available allowing tasks to be performed that might otherwise not be possible from within the setup interface.
