A lot of engineering work has gone into easing upgrades for SQL Server and Windows at Microsoft. In general, a lot of breaking changes no longer happen especially around the database engine. But what about other components? What about Windows?

Many folks are wondering where to get the documents to help guide them on software upgrades.

I compiled a few links for a support manager in Microsoft, and am sharing them here.  I think this will help you get started.

Public Docs:

What’s new in SQL 2016 (and SQL 2017 is on the left menu) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/what-s-new-in-sql-server-2016

SQL Release Notes for a bunch of versions https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/release-notes/sql-server-release-notes

Upgrade to 2016 from 2008R2, 2012, 2014…. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/install-windows/upgrade-sql-server

“Are you upgrading from SQL 2005?” https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/install-windows/are-you-upgrading-from-sql-server-2005

Windows Server technical content… 2016, 2012r2, 2012, 2008r2, 2008, 2003 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/windows-server-versions

Windows Server installation and upgrade https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/installation-and-upgrade