Precautions before the upgrade:
- Upgrade VMware Tools to the latest compatible version of the current installed OS version. For more information, see Installing and upgrading VMware Tools in vSphere.
- Test the upgrade on a cloned VM first to make sure the operation will go smooth. For more information, see Clone an Existing Virtual Machine .
- Make sure there is a healthy backup of the VM before the upgrade.
Note: Yo can take a snapshot of the VM but a full backup is highly recommended.
Upgrade procedures:
- Download the target OS version ISO Image.
- Mount this ISO file to the VM:
- Upload the ISO file to datastore. For more information, see Upload ISO Image Installation Media for a Guest Operating System
Note: You may get the below error while trying to upload the ISO file to a datastore through vCenter Server
The operation failed for an undetermined reason. Typically this problem occurs due to certificates that the browser does not trust. If you are using self-signed or custom certificates, open the URL below in a new browser tab and accept the certificate, then retry the operation.
https://target-ip
To fix this issue, see "The operation failed for an undetermined reason" transferring files through vSphere Client.
- Right Click on the VM and Click on Edit Settings.
- Expand the CD/DVD Drive and select Datastore ISO File then Browse to select the file.
- Select the file and click OK.
- Logon to the guest OS and double-click CD-ROM from the File Explorer.
- Follow the installation prompts to complete the OS upgrade.
- Upgrade or reinstall VMware tools after OS upgrade is completed.
- Shutdown VM.
- Select the VM.
- Click on Edit Settings.
- Click on VM Options.
- Click on General Options
- Change “Guest OS Version” to the new installed version.