Upgrading and Downgrading Windows Server Editions: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted in Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019 by nkcode On May 11, 2022. No comments

In the realm of Windows Server operating systems, the ability to upgrade or downgrade between different editions is a valuable feature that allows users to adapt their server environment to changing needs. In this guide, we will delve into the process of downgrading from Windows Server Datacenter to Standard Edition, providing step-by-step instructions and insights to help you navigate this transition seamlessly.

Understanding Windows Server Editions

Before embarking on the journey of downgrading your Windows Server edition, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the different editions available. Windows Server comes in various editions, each catering to specific requirements and workloads. The two primary editions we will focus on in this guide are Windows Server Datacenter and Standard Edition.

Windows Server Datacenter Edition

Windows Server Datacenter Edition is designed for highly virtualized datacenter and cloud environments. It offers unlimited virtualization rights and provides advanced features for managing virtual machines and resources efficiently. This edition is ideal for organizations with demanding workloads and a need for extensive virtualization capabilities.

Windows Server Standard Edition

On the other hand, Windows Server Standard Edition is more suited for small to medium-sized businesses with less virtualization needs. It offers core features for general-purpose server workloads and provides a cost-effective solution for organizations that do not require the advanced virtualization features of the Datacenter Edition.

Before performing a downgrade, we strongly recommend that you create a full image backup of your operating system (at least using Windows Server Backup)

Check Windows Server Edition

You can use the Control Panel to check which edition of Windows Server is installed on the host. Navigate to Control Panel –> System and Security -> System (or run the command: control /name Microsoft.System).

Check version and edition of Windows from the command line:

Command Line:	systeminfo \| findstr /B /C:”OS Name” /B /C:”OS Version”
	or
	wmic os get Caption, Version, BuildNumber, OSArchitecture
PowerShell:	Get-WindowsEdition –Online

Downgrade Windows Server Datacenter to Windows Server Standard

On a host running Windows Server 2019 Datacenter, start Registry Editor and navigate to the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion;
Check the values of the following REG_SZ parameters: EditionID = ServerDatacenter, ProductName = Windows Server 2019 Datacenter, CompositionEditionID=ServerDatacenter;

Note:

The CompositionEditionID setting is present in the registry for Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022. This registry parameter is missing in Windows Server 2016 and doesn’t need to be created manually.

Change the values as follows: EditionID and CompositionEditionIDto ServerStandard, ProductName to Windows Server 2019 Standard;

Close the Registry Editor;
Do not restart the server after changing the values of the specified registry keys, otherwise, they will automatically revert to the previous values and you will get an error when trying to perform a downgrade in the next step “Your Files and Settings cannot be kept because you try to install an other version as the currently used“.
Mount the Windows Server 2019 installation ISO image and run the setup wizard (setup.exe);

When you select the installation options in the Windows Server Setup window, select Upgrade and Windows Server 2019 Standard (Desktop Experience); Dummy Key: Generic Volume License Keys