Upgrading Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

If you’re stuck with old 2003 VM’s, you can make yourself slightly less antiquated by upgrading them in-place to 2008. Since the 2003 servers are most likely running 32-bit Windows, you won’t be able to take the step up to 2008R2 or 2012 though.

Before upgrading, make sure you download 2008 Service Pack 2 and save it inside the 2003 VHD files.

Here are the upgrade steps:

  • Uninstall Powershell 1.0, located in c:\windows\$NtUninstallKB926140$
  • Uninstall Hyper V integration tools, or else you’ll get a blue screen during the upgrade process. If you’re working via RDP, after this step you’ll have to work with keyboard only, no mouse.
  • Run the upgrade
  • Install 2008 Service Pack 2
  • Reinstall Hyper V integration toolstools

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