Supported upgrade paths

Important

This content is archived and is not being updated. For the latest documentation, see Microsoft Dynamics 365 product documentation. For the latest release plans, see Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release plans.

Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

This topic has been updated to describe upgrades to four target Microsoft Dynamics AX versions: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, and Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3.

Important

We strongly recommend that you install the most recent available version of AX 2012. If there is functionality that you do not plan to take advantage of, you can remove the appropriate License code. For example, in the case of the Feature Pack, if you do not want to use the Public Sector functionality, remove the Public sector license code (PublicSector).

Do not uninstall Microsoft-released models to remove unwanted functionality. This action will place your system in an unsupported state. If you have uninstalled a Microsoft-released model after installing an instance of Microsoft Dynamics AX, you must reinstall the model using the instructions found in How to: Export and Import a Model.

Supported upgrade sources and targets

The following tables describe the supported methods for an upgrade to each target system.

Note

We recommend that you install the newest service pack or cumulative update available for your existing system before beginning an upgrade. For Microsoft Dynamics AX 4.0, this would be SP2. For Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009, this would be SP1. Information about the latest cumulative updates and hotfixes is available on CustomerSource for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 and for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 (covering also Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack).

Warning

In general, we recommend that you install the latest applicable cumulative updates to your source and target systems while upgrading. However, if you plan to upgrade to a system running CU6 for AX 2012 R2, note that certain combinations of updates require special handling. See Scenario: Upgrade to AX 2012 R2 + CU6 before proceeding.

Upgrading to AX 2012

Source version

Comment

AX 4.0 SP2

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2009 SP1

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

Upgrading to AX 2012 Feature Pack

Source version

Comment

AX 4.0 SP2

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2009 SP1 (without Retail components)

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2009 for Retail R1

Indirect upgrade. You must first upgrade to AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh. For more information, see the Deployment and installation Guide: Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail.

AX 2009 for Retail R2

Indirect upgrade. You must first upgrade to AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh. For more information, see the Deployment and installation Guide: Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail.

AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2012 (without Retail components)

In-place upgrade on a single system. No source-to-target workflow is used.

Upgrading to AX 2012 R2

Source version

Comment

AX 4.0 R2

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2009 R1 (without Retail components)

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2009 for Retail R1

Indirect upgrade. You must first upgrade to AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh. For more information, see the Deployment and installation Guide: Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail.

AX 2009 for Retail R2

Indirect upgrade. You must first upgrade to AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh. For more information, see the Deployment and installation Guide: Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail.

AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2012 (without Retail components)

In-place upgrade on a single system. No source-to-target workflow is used.

AX 2012 Feature Pack

In-place upgrade on a single system. No source-to-target workflow is used.

Upgrading to AX 2012 R3

Source version

Comment

AX 4.0 SP 2

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2009 SP1 (without Retail components)

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2009 for Retail R1

Indirect upgrade. You must first upgrade to AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh. For more information, see the Deployment and installation Guide: Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail.

AX 2009 for Retail R2

Indirect upgrade. You must first upgrade to AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh. For more information, see the Deployment and installation Guide: Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail.

AX 2009 for Retail R2 Refresh

Direct upgrade using the source-to-target model.

AX 2012 (without Retail components)

In-place upgrade on a single system. No source-to-target workflow is used.

AX 2012 Feature Pack

In-place upgrade on a single system. No source-to-target workflow is used.

AX 2012 R2

In-place upgrade on a single system. No source-to-target workflow is used.

Upgrading to AX 2012 R2 or AX 2012 R3 (international builds)

Supported source-to-target upgrade paths

Country/region

Source

Target

AX 4.0

AX 2009

Brazil

Not applicable

AX 2009 SP1 + GLD_Cons + RU8 + KB 2890737 (5.0.1600.2174)

AX 2012 R2/AX 2012 R3

AX 4.0 SP2 + Brazil FP + 362 DIS + latest DIP

AX 2009 SP1 + GLS_Cons + RU8

China

AX 4.0 SP2 + CN GLS

AX 2009 SP1 + GLS_Cons + RU8

AX 2009 SP1 + GLS_Cons + RU8 or AX 2009 SP1 + GLS_Cons + RU6 + China TR-1

India

AX 4.0 SP2 + IN GLS

AX 2009 SP1 + GLS_Cons + RU8

Japan

AX 4.0 SP2 + JP GLS

AX 2009 SP1 + GLS_Cons + RU8

Russia/Eastern Europe

AX 4.0 SP2 FP1 EE + REGFs

AX 2009 SP1 + GLS_EE + RU8

Russia (Payroll)

AX 4.0 SP2 FP1 EE + latest LOS layer

AX 2009 SP1 + RU8 + latest SL layer

AX 2012 R2/AX 2012 R3 + RU Payroll

Supported in-place upgrade paths

Country/region

Old AX 2012 version

New AX 2012 version

All

AX 2012 R2

AX 2012 R3