# Elasticsearch9.3.1 Upgrade (Windows)

This article provides detailed instructions to upgrade Elasticsearch on a Windows environment. It includes all necessary preconditions, step-by-step upgrade actions, and post-upgrade validation procedures to ensure a reliable transition with minimal downtime and no data loss.

## **Prerequisites**

* Administrative access to the Windows system.
* A stable internet connection for downloading the upgrade package.
* Sufficient disk space to hold both the current and new Elasticsearch installations and their data.
* Backup of the following directories from the existing Elasticsearch installation:
  * `Config`
  * `Data`
  * `Logs`

## **Upgrade Steps**

**Target Example:** Upgrade from version **7.17.26** to **9.3.1.**\
The same steps apply for similar version upgrades.

* **Stop the Existing Elasticsearch Service**
  * Press `Win + R`, type `services.msc`, and press **Enter**.
  * Locate the **Elasticsearch** service.
  * Right-click the service and select **Stop**.

    <figure><img src="/files/OgsUVnJpyhLTltnInIqV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Download the New Elasticsearch Version**
  * Download the `.zip` package for the new version:\
    [Elasticsearch 9.3.1 Windows x86\_64](https://ovaledge.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/scripts/8x_artifacts/elasticsearch-9.3.1-windows-x86_64.zip)

    <figure><img src="/files/DcH3wW8Y0EsHkJuQt4Iw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Extract the New Version**
  * Extract the `.zip` file to a new directory, for example:

    ```
    C:\elasticsearch-9.3.1
    ```

    <figure><img src="/files/7bZAGNvj3TUGeEbtgQH6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

    <br>

    <figure><img src="/files/XahqfCmpyC4ZOehf4ZUd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Migrate Configuration and Data**
  * Copy the following from the old installation (e.g., `C:\elasticsearch-7.17.26`) :

    * `config\elasticsearch.yml`
    * `config\jvm.options`
    * Entire `data` directory

    <figure><img src="/files/6llgPG7YnUmX2slRkoW5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Paste them to the new installation (`C:\elasticsearch-9.3.1`)

  <figure><img src="/files/0iawSsx7wI8IdvoJ5Z80" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

  <figure><img src="/files/jVg0yqydDpBelW9g9w03" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Remove the Old Elasticsearch Windows Service**
  * Open **Command Prompt as Administrator**.
  * Navigate to the old installation’s `bin` directory and remove the service:

    ```cmd
    cd C:\elasticsearch-7.17.26\bin
    elasticsearch-service.bat remove
    ```

    <figure><img src="/files/Gbj76rmit2OH7CMKfOKZ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

    <figure><img src="/files/BACfqLbD3avnM67fhqIe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Install the New Version as a Windows Service**
  * From the same Command Prompt, navigate to the new installation’s `bin` directory and install the service:

    ```cmd
    cd C:\elasticsearch-9.3.1\bin
    elasticsearch-service.bat install
    ```

    <figure><img src="/files/p9uCuLXhpar9ebxzOQHn" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

    <br>

    <figure><img src="/files/kOp6Zs5gWehKlHXoacDe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Start the New Elasticsearch Service**
  * Open `services.msc`.
  * Locate the **Elasticsearch** service (now pointing to the new path).
  * Right-click the service and select **Start**.

    <div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/T9lVuApAozvP3VCa532f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

* **Verify the Upgrade**
  * Access the Elasticsearch API using a browser, `curl`, or Postman:

    ```
    http://localhost:9200
    ```

    <figure><img src="/files/1BzOyZnRt9HvBJy3sppW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
  * The response should include the upgraded version:<br>

    ```json
    {
      "name" : "YOUR-NODE-NAME",
      "cluster_name" : "elasticsearch",
      "cluster_uuid" : "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
      "version" : {
        "number" : "9.3.1"
      }
    }article 
    ```

    <figure><img src="/files/8hyCYUovBi5EOOaZ4SXM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

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