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Join computers to the new Windows Server Essentials network1

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Applies To: Windows Server 2016 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials, Windows Server 2012 Essentials

The next step in the migration process is to join client computers to the new Windows Server Essentials network and update Group Policy settings.

Domain-joined client computers

Browse to http://destination-servername/connect and install the Windows Server Connector software as if this was a new computer. The installation process is the same for domain-joined or non-domain-joined client computers.

Note

The Windows Server Connector software does not support computers that are running Windows XP or Windows Vista. If you have computers running Windows XP or Windows Vista that are already joined to the domain, you can skip this step.

Non-domain-joined client computers

Browse to http://destination-servername/connect and install the Windows Server Connector software as if this was a new computer. The installation process is the same for domain joined or non-domain joined client computers.

Note

The Windows Server Connector software does not support computers that are running Windows XP or Windows Vista. If you have computers running Windows XP or Windows Vista that are already joined to the domain, you can skip this step.

Ensure that Group Policy has updated

Note

This is an optional step, and it is only required if the Source Server was configured with custom Group Policy settings such as Folder Redirection.

While the Source Server and the Destination Server are still online, you should ensure that the Group Policy settings have replicated from the Destination Server to the client computers. Perform the following steps on each client computer:

  1. Open a Command Prompt window.

  2. At the command prompt, type GPRESULT /R, and then press ENTER.

  3. Review the resulting output for the section Group Policy was applied from: and ensure it lists the Destination Server, such as DestinationSrv.Domain.local. For example:

    USER SETTINGS
--------------
    CN=User,OU=Users,DC=DOMAIN,DC=Local
    Last time Group Policy was applied: 1/24/2011 at 1:26:27 PM
    Group Policy was applied from:      DestinationSrv.Domain.local
    Group Policy slow link threshold:   500 kbps
    Domain Name:                        Domain
    Domain Type:                        Windows 2008

  4. If the Destination Server is not listed, at a command prompt, type gpupdate /force, and then press ENTER to refresh the Group Policy settings. Then perform the previous procedure again.

  5. If the Destination Server still does not appear, there may be an error in the Group Policy settings or an error in applying them to this specific client computer. If the Destination Server does not appear, perform the following steps:

    1. Click Start, click Run, type rsop.msc (Resultant Set of Policy), and then press ENTER.

    2. Expand the tree with the X on it until you get to a node.

    3. Right-click the node, and click View Error for information about why the Group Policy settings are failing on the computer listed.