Step 3: Join computers to the new Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials server

 

Updated: August 21, 2013

Applies To: Windows Server 2012 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials

The next step in the migration process is to connect client computers to the new server running Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials.

Note

You can skip this step for computers that are running the Windows XP or Windows Vista operating systems. The Windows Server Connector software does not support computers that are running Windows XP or Windows Vista.

Before you can join a client computer to the new Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials server, you must disconnect it from the Source Server by uninstalling the Windows Server Connector software on the client computer.

To uninstall Windows Server Connector on a client computer

  1. From a client computer, open Control Panel, and then open Programs and Features.

  2. In the list of programs, right-click the Connector application that is running on your computer.

Note

The Connector application can be Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials Connector, or Windows Server 2012 Essentials Connector, depending on which version of Windows Server Essentials the client computer was connected to.

  1. Click Uninstall.

To reconnect a client computer to the server

  1. Sign in to the computer that you want to connect to the server.

Note

If this computer has multiple user accounts, sign in by using the user account that has documents, pictures, and personal preferences you want to keep after you connect the computer to the server.

  1. Open an Internet browser, such as Internet Explorer.

  2. In the address bar, type https://<servername>/Connect, and then press ENTER.

  3. Follow the onscreen instructions to join the client computer to the new Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials server.

Next steps

You have joined your client computers to the new server running Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials. Now go to Step 4: Move settings and data to the Destination Server for Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials migration.

To view all the steps, see Migrate to Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials.