Step by Step SharePoint Migration from 2013 to 2019

Overview

The migration scenario to the SharePoint Server 2019 has not changed. By far, there is not method available for direct migration from SharePoint 2013 to 2019. Hence, in order to migrate to SharePoint 2019 from SharePoint 2013, you need to upgrade your server the next latest version available i.e. SharePoint 2016, and then you can further upgrade to SharePoint 2019. Technically, your databases must be available in SharePoint Server 2016 RTM version or higher, when you are migrating to SharePoint Server 2019. Databases with any lower version will be locked and will not be able to upgrade.

 

Step by Step Guide to SharePoint Migration from 2013 to 2019

2013

Firstly, you are required to convert web application, if they are currently in the windows authentication mode, in order to claim authentication. Claim authentication is the default mode in both SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019. Next, you need to upgrade all the site collections to mode 15 from mode 14 by using the Upgrade SPSite cmdlet. For the reason that any database that will be in 14 version will be locked and prohibited from migration or upgrade to SharePoint 2016. Once, you site collections have been migrated, you are now required to create backup for all your service application and content databases from you old far e.g. SQL2013. Now, restore these databases to the SQL Server of a new farm in SharePoint Server 2016 i.e. SQL2016.

2016

Build a temporary new farm in SharePoint 2016, which include service applications. When created, use your existing database names residing on SQL2016. Once the farm is created, now create new web application with a temporary database. Now install any administrator approved path forms, full-trust solutions etc. Get off the temporarily created database from the web applications.
Run the Mount-SPCContentDatabase cmdlet to begin the upgrade process to SharePoint 2016, over the restored content databases from SQL2016. As soon as the upgrade is complete, perform any personalized configuration changed needed, that are not the part of your content databases and service applications such as outgoing/incoming email setting etc.

2019

The steps to migrate from SharePoint 2016 to SharePoint 2019 are similar to that of SharePoint 2013 to SharePoint 2016, except converting web applications to claim authentication, and upgrade to version 15. When migrating to SharePoint 2019 from SharePoint 2016, these steps are not required.

So now, you will simply create the backup for all your service applications and content databases from your temporary farm in SharePoint Server 2016 i.e. SQL2016. Now these databases will be restored to the SQL Server of a new farm in SharePoint Server 2019 i.e. SQL2019.

Now, build a new farm in SharePoint Server 2019 which include your service applications. When created, use the existing database named residing on the SQL2019. Once the farm is created, now create new web application with a temporary database. Now install any administrator approved path forms, full-trust solutions etc. Get off the temporarily created database from the web applications.

Run the Mount-SPCContentDatabase cmdlet to begin the upgrade process to SharePoint 2019, over the restored content databases from SQL2019. As soon as the upgrade is complete, perform any personalized configuration changed needed, that are not the part of your content databases and service applications such as outgoing/incoming email setting etc.