Upgrading SCCM 2012 R2 to SCCM 2012 R2 SP1

Upgrading current SCCM 2012 hierarchy to recently released SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 seems to be a bit confusing. However the process is very easy like any other ConfigMgr upgrade.

Please note; If you have a site hierarchy, upgrade the top level site first and work through the child sites.

The following step-by-step guide will explain how to upgrade a SCCM 2012 R2 to SCCM 2012 R2 SP1.

1. Download the SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 from Microsoft Evaluation Center (Sign in required)
This download will have 2 files.
SC2012_SP2_Configmgr_SCEP.exe and
SC2012_R2_SP1_Configmgr.exe

The question is which one to use?
If you extract SC2012_R2_SP1_Configmgr.exe and launch splash.hta
1. If you have launched by double click you will receive "You must have local Administrator permissions to install this software".

So, launch a command prompt as an administrator, browse to the source location then launch from there

2. If you launch SC2012_R2_SP1_Configmgr.exe then you will get “To run this software, the computer must run system centre 2012 configuration Manager with Service Pack 2”

So the correct source to launch is SC2012_SP2_Configmgr_SCEP.exe (When you are upgrading SCCM 2012 R2 to SCCM 2012 R2 SP1)

1. Extract SC2012_SP2_Configmgr_SCEP.exe
 The extract folder should have following folders

2. On Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager splash screen, click on Install

3. Read Before You Begin for some pre-installation information

4. Select Upgrade this Configuration Manager site at Available Setup Options on Getting started  window

5. Enter the product key or choose Install the evaluation edition of this product then click next

6. Accept license terms then click next

7. Accept the prerequisite licenses then click next

8. Select a location to store prerequisite downloads. This will start downloading 56 prerequisites

9. Choose server language from supported languages list then click next

10. Review the Settings Summary then click next

11. Installer will perform a prerequisite check. Once all the errors (if any) resolved click next

12. Click Begin Install, which will start the upgrade process

13.Once the upgrade is complete you will receive  Core setup has completed confirmation window.
This will take 30 - 40 min, based on the hardware performance.

14. Launch the configuration manager console and check the version.
It should have following information;
        Console Version: 5.0.8239.100
        Site Version: 5.00.8239.100

That’s it. You have upgraded your SCCM 2012 R2 site to SCCM 2012 R2 SP1.