How to Upgrade Windows 2000 Server to Windows 2003 Server Standard

Performance, security and reliability are the name of the game when it comes to server environments.

Windows 2003 Server Standard offers certain improvements over Windows 2000 Server, and includes several new features aimed at increasing the security and reliability of a Windows-based server environment. Additionally making the Windows 2003 Server platform attractive is its goal of making the upgrade process as simple as possible. Upgrade your Windows 2000 Server-based computer to Windows 2003 Server Standard to take advantage of the improvements offered by this more recent operating system.

Things You'll Need

• Windows 2003 Server Standard disc and product key

Instructions

1. Log in to the computer using an account that has Administrative privileges, and insert the Windows Server 2003 disc. When the installation program launches, click "Install Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition."

2. Select "Upgrade (Recommended)" from the drop-down menu at the top of the screen. Click "Next."

3. Examine the terms of the license agreement for Windows Server 2003. If you agree to the terms, click "I accept this agreement" and click "Next."

4. Enter the Windows Server 2003 product key, and click "Next."

5. Select whether you would like the installation program to check the Internet for important updates for your computer before beginning the installation process. In most cases, this is recommended. Click "Next." The following screen will show any hardware or features on the computer that may not continue to work after Windows Server 2003 is installed. Study this screen carefully to confirm that no mission-critical functionality will be lost, and click "Next." At this point, the computer will restart.

6. Select "Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition Setup" from the boot menu after the computer restarts and press "Enter." The installation routine will begin to copy files from the Windows 2003 disc to the computer. Be patient until this process is finished. After a few moments, the upgrade will be complete and you will be taken to the Windows Server 2003 login screen. Log in using your normal user name and password.

References

• Microsoft TechNet: Windows 2003 Product Overview
• Petri IT Knowledge Base: Install Windows Server 2003