Lightsail Windows Licensing when upgrading

To upgrade your AWS Lightsail instance from Windows Server 2012 to a newer version like Windows Server 2019 or 2022, an in-place upgrade is not possible. Instead, a side-by-side implementation is recommended. Here's the solution:

1. Launch a new instance: Start by launching a new AWS Lightsail instance with the desired Windows Server version (e.g., 2019 or 2022).

2. Migrate data and applications: Once the new instance is up and running, migrate your data and applications from the old Windows Server 2012 instance to the new one using manual or automated migration methods.

3. Validate functionality: Thoroughly test the new instance to ensure that all your applications, services, and data are functioning correctly.

4. Update DNS and network configurations: Update your DNS records or network configurations to direct traffic to the new instance.

5. Decommission the old instance: Once you have confirmed that the new instance is functioning properly, you can stop or delete the old Windows Server 2012 instance.

This side-by-side implementation allows you to upgrade your AWS Lightsail instance while minimizing the risk of downtime or data loss. By gradually transitioning your workload to the new instance, you can thoroughly test the environment before fully transitioning to the upgraded Windows Server version.

Hello there,

Hope you are doing well.

The above workflow suggested by Nishanth is a safe way to upgrade the OS of your Windows servers as you will continue to have access to a working instance during upgrade and also if the upgrade fails.

You can also refer the article here: https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/upgrade-ec2-windows-os

This is intended for EC2 instances, however, it does apply for Lightsail instances. If you face any issues, please do update it here so that we can help you resolve it.

Hope this helps