Which Veeam v13 ISO Should You Download? Complete Edition Selection Guide

Which Veeam v13 ISO Should You Download? Complete Edition Selection Guide


Last week, a friend posted in a group chat: "Downloaded the Veeam V13 ISO, but the upgrade failed."


I asked him: "Which one did you download?"


He said: "The Veeam Data Platform Premium ISO, the 20 GB one."


I sighed and waved my hand: "You downloaded the wrong ISO file."


Core Change in V13: VDP Premium ISO Can No Longer Be Used


This change in V13 left many people confused at first.


In the past, when upgrading Veeam, no matter which ISO you downloaded, you could use it to upgrade the VBR server.


In V12, one Veeam Data Platform ISO worked for everything. Not anymore.


Starting with V13, the Veeam Data Platform Premium ISO cannot be used to upgrade VBR.


Honestly, this change was quite sudden. But if you didn't know and, like my friend, downloaded the 20 GB ISO only to find out it couldn't be used when you tried to upgrade—that's a waste of time.


Three Types of ISO—Don’t Mix Them Up Anymore


V13 now has three main types of ISO, each with completely different uses.


1. VBR ISO (Use This for Upgrades)

Filename: VeeamBackup&Replication_13.0.x.xxxx_[date].iso

Size: 16.56 GB

Purpose:

- Upgrade from V12 Windows to V13 Windows VBR

- Fresh install of Windows-based VBR

Remember: Want to upgrade VBR? Download this one.


2. VSA ISO (For New Linux Deployments)

Filename: VeeamSoftwareAppliance_13.0.x.xxxx_[date].iso

Size: 12.19 GB

Purpose:

- Deploy a pre-hardened Linux-based virtual appliance

- Only supports fresh deployments; does not support migrating configurations from V12

Remember: Want to use the Linux version of Veeam? Try it for new environments.


3. VDP Premium ISO (Complete Premium Edition)

Filename: VeeamDataPlatform_13.0.x.xxxx_[date].iso

Size: Includes VBR + Veeam ONE + VRO (full suite, approx. 18.8 GB)

Purpose:

- Fresh installation of the complete Veeam Data Platform environment

- Includes VBR + Veeam ONE + VRO


Use it for fresh installations of the full suite. Don’t choose this for upgrading VBR.


Three Common Mistakes


Mistake 1: Using VDPP ISO to Upgrade VBR


This is the most common one.


The reason is simple: In V12, that’s how it was done—you downloaded a VDP ISO and upgraded.


In V13, that habit is hard to break.


Result? You download 19 GB, wait forever, and then find there’s no upgrade option in the installer.


Solution: Re-download the VBR-specific ISO, the 16.56 GB one.


Mistake 2: Trying to Use VSA with Socket Licenses


VSA (Linux version) only supports VUL licenses.


If you still have old Socket licenses and want to use VSA?


Not possible.


Solution: Either keep using the Windows version of VBR (supports Socket licenses) or convert to VUL licenses when renewing.


Mistake 3: Ignoring Network Port Changes


V13 changed the network communication protocol.


It used Microsoft RPC and Microsoft WMI; now it uses gRPC.


NTLM authentication is also deprecated, replaced by Kerberos.


If you don’t check your firewall rules, you might find backup tasks can’t connect after upgrading.


Solution: Check the official documentation before upgrading to confirm which ports need to be open.

Check these 5 things before downloading

screenshot of Veeam V13 iso types


Recommendations


Don’t Rush into VSA


VSA (Linux version) is a major feature of V13—pre-hardened, auto-updating, high security.


But keep these points in mind:

- V13 doesn’t support configuration migration; only fresh deployments

- Some advanced features aren’t yet supported in the web console

- Is your team more familiar with Windows or Linux?


If your current VBR is running smoothly, I recommend:

- Windows users stick with the Windows version of V13

- Consider VSA for new environments

- Give VSA some time to mature


Three Specific Suggestions


1. Test First in a Lab Environment

Don’t upgrade directly in production.


Run through the process in a test environment first and iron out any issues ahead of time.


2. Check the Filename Before Downloading

VeeamBackup&Replication_... → This is the VBR upgrade ISO


VeeamDataPlatform_... → This is the full suite ISO


Don’t mix them up again.


3. Keep Old ISOs for at Least a Year

Veeam’s official site usually only offers the latest version for download.


What if you run into issues and need to roll back? Or want to deploy a new environment with an older version?


Don’t delete the old ISOs after downloading the new one.

🔍 Why Choosing the Correct Veeam v13 ISO Matters

With Veeam Backup & Replication v13, multiple ISO options are available, each designed for different deployment scenarios.
Downloading the wrong ISO can lead to:

  • Failed installations

  • Missing components

  • Unsupported upgrade paths

  • Wasted deployment time

Understanding which Veeam v13 ISO you should download ensures a smooth and supported installation.


🔹 Veeam v13 Official Download Page

🔹 Upgrade & Installation Related

🔹 Security & Feature Context


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