moving storage space to new install; WS2012E to Win8

[vexingv]

I had installed Windows Server 2012 Essentials to replace my existing WHSv1 setup. However, I find WHS2012 essentials to be much more than I need. I really just need a file server and some simple backup options. I went from WHSv1 to WHS2012E because of the storage pool feature (which is similar to WHS' drive extender) and the its support of 2TB HDD's. However, WHS2012E need to install clients as part of domain is a bit too complex for my needs. Yes, I know of the Linux-based file serving OS's like FreeNAS, but I've just never gotten into Linux.

I'm now thinking of downgrading to Windows 8 to retain the storage pool feature. In W2012E, I have an existing storage space made up of 2x2TB hard drives (separate of the OS drive). I'd hate to lose them and rebuild them. From what I've been able to read online, those storage pools should reappear in a new system, independent of its original OS system/installation. Is this true? Has anyone done this before?

Thanks.

Also, since I'm on the topic; how do I revoke an existing Windows 8 license key/install so that it can be reinstalled on another system? I have a copy of Windows 8 obtained through my institution via DreamSpark that I've already installed on my HTPC. I absolutely hate Win8, but I was looking to move this copy over to the file server and reinstall Windows 7 on the HTPC.

 

[eunpingco]

Hello,

I'm inquiring if this worked out? I'm about to do the same after my old file server crashed.

Edward

 

[vexingv]

Hello,

I'm inquiring if this worked out? I'm about to do the same after my old file server crashed.

Edward

old post...i honestly don;t remember what i did since it was so long ago. however, i think i rebuilt it from scratch since it wasnt too much data and i wasn't sure as i never got a reply to this thread.

but i've since abandoned Windows storages spaces and moved to FlexRaid as my storage pool was FUBAR-ed after one of the drives failed and the "redundancy," which although i didn't use was a joke. all i have to say is be careful if you use Storage Spaces...

 

[ViRGE]

To very belatedly answer the question, yes it's true and yes it works. A WS2012E disk pool can be moved over to Windows 8 and should put itself back together automatically. However I've only tested this on NTFS; I don't believe ReFS support was ever officially turned on for Windows 8.x.

 

[code65536]

I've done this too, though it was in a VM, and yes, it works.

It should also work with ReFS on Windows 8.1 (but not 8.0), though I haven't tried it. 8.1 enabled ReFS. It lets you format ReFS if using a mirrored pool (in fact, ReFS is the default file system for a mirrored pool in 8.1). It won't let you format ReFS for other drives or pools (at least not without a registry tweak), but drives or pools already formatted with ReFS will be recognized and will work (no registry tweak needed).