Cannot Upgrade to Windows 2000 Using Winnt.exe (199349)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q199349

SYMPTOMS

When you run the 16-bit Winnt.exe program or you boot from the Windows 2000 CD-ROM to install Windows 2000, there is no option for upgrading your current installation of Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or earlier. Instead, Windows 2000 is installed in a new folder if sufficient disk space exists. If there is not sufficient disk space, you are prompted to delete the currently installed version of Windows.

CAUSE

The Winnt.exe program is not designed to perform upgrades.

RESOLUTION

To upgrade to Windows 2000, run the Winnt32.exe program from within the operating system you want to upgrade. Note that Windows 2000 also has an Autorun file on the CD-ROM, which is activated automatically when the CD-ROM is placed in the CD-ROM drive.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

There is an "NTUpgrade" option in the Unattend.txt file that can be set to a value of Yes or No. However, this option works only with the Winnt32.exe program (not Winnt.exe).

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/13/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbprb kbsetup KB199349
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