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Installing build 9378 on our backup mail server and getting an installation error
Problem reported by Jay Altemoos - 9/11/2025 at 2:41 PM
Resolved
Good day,
On our backup mail server today I was attempting to install build 9378 and we get the following error "There is a problem with this Windows installer package. A DLL required for this install to complete could not be run."

We were previously running build 9322 fine on the same system. The OS is server 2012R2. Any idea why the latest build won't install? I know that the listed supported systems are 2016+, but upgrading currently is not an option. Anyone know the DLL the installer is complaining about? The event viewer is kind of useless and doesn't tell me.
Gabriele Maoret - SERSIS Replied
9/11/2025 at 8:55 PM
Why isn't upgrading Windows an option?
2012r2 is a VERY old version of Windows, and it's been out of maintenance for quite some time... It's an insecure operating system, easily compromised by hackers...

In my humble opinion, the two best options are, in order of ease of implementation:
  1. Two-step upgrade to the latest version of Windows Server 2022 or 2025 (first 2019, then 2022-25)
    For your information, I'm currently on Win2022 with SM9378, and it's working great...
  2. Migration to Linux
Gabriele Maoret - Head of SysAdmins and CISO at SERSIS Currently manages 6 SmarterMail installations (1 in the cloud for SERSIS which provides services to a few hundred third-party email domains + 5 on-premise for customers who prefer to have their mail server in-house)
Jay Altemoos Replied
9/17/2025 at 7:38 AM
Marked As Resolution
Thank you for your input Gabriele, I just went throught the upgrade path in place upgrade 2019 -> 2022 and then installed build 9378, it worked fine. I appreciate the input.
Gabriele Maoret - SERSIS Replied
9/17/2025 at 8:17 AM
You are welcome
Gabriele Maoret - Head of SysAdmins and CISO at SERSIS Currently manages 6 SmarterMail installations (1 in the cloud for SERSIS which provides services to a few hundred third-party email domains + 5 on-premise for customers who prefer to have their mail server in-house)
kevind Replied
9/18/2025 at 6:38 AM
Hi Jay and Gabriele,
We also have a Win2012 server that needs to be upgraded. Do you have a doc, link, or Microsoft KB article that explains the best way to do in-place upgrade to Win2019?
Thanks in advance!
Kevin
Gabriele Maoret - SERSIS Replied
9/18/2025 at 9:44 AM
Gabriele Maoret - Head of SysAdmins and CISO at SERSIS Currently manages 6 SmarterMail installations (1 in the cloud for SERSIS which provides services to a few hundred third-party email domains + 5 on-premise for customers who prefer to have their mail server in-house)
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