In-place upgrading an Active Directory Domain Controller to Windows Server build 17093 might fail

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Windows Server Preview Build 17093

Last week, Microsoft announced the latest Windows Server Insider Preview build, nicknamed Build 17093, referencing its 10.0.17093.1000 version number. This Windows Server version was released to Windows Server Insiders on February 13, 2018.

 

About Windows Server Preview Build 17093

This build is a preview build of the next Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) release of Windows Server.

Microsoft uses two release channels:

  1. The Long-term Servicing Channel (LTSC)
  2. The Semi-annual Channel (SAC)

The Long-term Servicing Channel is the release channel most IT Pros are familiar with. Windows Server 2016 is Microsoft latest LTSC-released Windows Server version.

The Semi-annual Channel is the new release channel. Windows Server, version 1709 was Microsoft first SAC-release. Microsoft intends to release SAC-releases twice per year (hence the name). SAC releases differ from LTSC releases in several ways, beyond their intended shorter release schedules: SAC releases don’t have graphical interfaces and SAC releases have shorter support cycles.

Windows Server Preview Build 17093 is only available as Server Core installation and Nano Server. Windows Server Preview Build 17093 will stop working on July 2, 2018.

 

Known issue for Domain Controllers

The Known Issues section of the blogpost titled Announcing Windows Server Insider Preview Build 17093 and Project Honolulu Technical Preview 1802 by Donna Sarkar on February 3, 2018 mentions:

In-place OS upgrade: Domain Controllers

During an in-place OS upgrade, Active Directory (AD) Domain Controllers (DC) might not be upgraded correctly. Back up any AD DCs before performing an in-place OS upgrade.

 

 

Further reading

Known issues with Windows Server Build 17093
Microsoft Announces Windows Server 17093 Preview

Author: Sander Berkouwer

Sander Berkouwer is the author of the Active Directory Administration Cookbook, speaker and blogger at DirTeam.com and ServerCore.net. He is awarded Microsoft MVP, Veeam Vanguard and VMware vExpert. Since 2009, Microsoft has awarded Sander with the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award. Since 2016, Veeam has awarded Sander with the Veeam Vanguard award.