The following step-by-step upgrade shows you the process to upgrade a single site primary server from ConfigMgr 2012 R2 SP1 to 1511.
Note that you can upgrade from the following releases of ConfigMgr:
- SCCM 2012 SP1
- SCCM 2012 SP2
- SCCM 2012 R2
- SCCM 2012 R2 SP1
Disable SQL replication
If you are running replica MPs, then you will need to disable SQL replication.
Load up SQL Management Studio.
Drill down to Replication, right click and choose ‘Disable Publishing and Distribution’
Click Next
Select ‘Yes, disable publishing on this server’ and click Next.
Confirm the dropping of replication by clicking Next.
Ensure ‘Disable publishing and distribution’ is checked and click Next.
Click Finish to disable the replication.
Click Close to complete the process.
Remember to re-enable replication once the upgrade to 1511 is complete.
Remove Windows ADK install
My ConfigMgr site server is currently running Windows 8.1 ADK. Uninstall this release from the Control Panel
Click Yes to uninstall
Click Close when complete
Install the Windows 10 ADK
Download the Windows 10 RTM ADK release 10.0.26624.0 from here
Run the adksetup.exe file.
Click to install the ADK files into the default path. Click Next.
Decide whether to add Windows Kits to the system. Click Next.
Accept the ADK licence agreement.
Select only Deployment Tools, Windows PE and USMT components for installation. Click Install.
Click Close when complete
Install KB3095113
Any Windows 2012 SUPs require KB3095113 installing. Download the hotfix from here and install
Upgrading to ConfigMgr 1511
Prior to upgrading to 1511, ensure that you have a good SQL backup.
To upgrade to 1511 run splash.hta from the installation media.
Click Install.
Click Next
Upgrade the Configuration Manager site will be selected already. Click Next.
Accept the licence agreement and click Next.
Accept all the pre-requisite licence agreements and click Next
Download the prerequisite files into the appropriate download folder and click Next.
Select the console/reports language and click Next
Select the client language and click Next.
Click Next at the Usage Data screen.
At the summary screen click Next.
Address any pre-requisites that need attention.
Note that Warnings can be ignored at set-up time and address later. Click Begin.
The upgrade process will begin
Once the upgrade is complete click Close
Upgrade to MDT 2013 Update 1
If you haven’t upgraded to this release, to take advantage of Windows 10 support, then now is the time.
Download MDT 2013 Update 1 – build 8298 from here
Run the MDT MSI file.
Click Next.
Accept the licence agreement and click Next.
Click Next.
Decide whether to join the improvement programme and click Next.
Click Install to begin the upgrade to MDT 2013 Update 1
Click Finish to complete the installation
At this stage the site server will be upgraded to ConfigMgr 1511 and you will be fully supported for Windows 10
Auto Upgrade Clients
To get the clients up-to-date with the latest ConfigMgr client you can switch on the auto upgrade feature.
To do this go to Administration / Site Configuration / Sites. Click the Hierarchy Setting button. Click the Client Upgrade tab and turn on ‘Upgrade all clients’ checkbox.
Click Ok to confirm. Apply the change.
SCCMentor - Paul Winstanley 
You have a typo at “Download MDT 2012 Update 1 – build 8298 from here” Should be 2013 😉
Thanks for the spot
Great post. Thanks for the step by step instructions.
Thanks Steve. Have a great Christmas.
Will there be a FRESH install of SCCM v1511 guide any time soon.
Excellent post.
I was thinking of doing one. Maybe in the New Year.
Thank you.
Look forward to your post in 2016. Hope the install will be on Server 2012 R2 and SQL 2014 SP1.
Very good guide. Thanks and Advanced Wish you happy new Year.
Thanks All the best
Please confirm that the Windows 10 Servicing within SCCM 1511 is broken as any attempt for the rules to download the upgrades result in an error.
This is an issue. MS are aware
We plan to upgrade our evironment from sccm 2012 R2 SP1 CU1 to ConfigMgr 1511. Is it supported on Windows 2008 R2 Server OS flavor? Did read somewhere that if we install ConfigMgr 1511 on Windows 2008 R2 server, it will be supported only for a year and later we need to switch to 2012 Server OS.
Yes you can upgrade and yes Win 2k8 will only be supported for about 1 year. I plan to run a blog on the o/s upgrade process in the New year
Look forward to the O/S upgrade process post. Thanks and Happy New Year!!!
Hi
I tried to upgrade my 2012 R2 SP1 which was installed on W2008 R2. When i tried to download the pre-req files, it failed to download all the files from MS site [During the pre-req download, all the files are getting downloaded except SQLSysClrTypes.msi and SharedManagementObjects.msi. ] , how ever i was able to download them from a Win2012 server. The downloaded files are not able to verify and are failing with authenticode signature error only for those two files. Offline download and verifying during installation also doesnot work
what are the exact steps to re-enable the MP replica ?
can’t find any source on this. it’s easy to disable but would like some clarification on how to re-enable thx
Re-enable the subscription in SQL Management Studio. Cheers Paul
I guess I can go ahead and install MDT update 1 without installing older version of MDT released in 2013? right??
I am in the process of upgrading SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 to 1511.
Ram
Yes you can. I recommend going with Update 2 now though. Cheers Paul
Thanks – Will go with Update 2
I just read an article that System Center 2016 can be used to upgrade SCCM 2012 R2 directly to SCCM 1606 directly. Will you be releasing such an upgrade document any time soon.
Here is the link – https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/enterprisemobility/2016/10/12/configuration-manager-a-progress-update-on-the-current-branch-and-a-new-servicing-branch/
Not sure if i will but the process is just the same as 2012 to 1511 upgrade.