Server migration is a common task in the operation and maintenance of enterprise and personal websites. As businesses grow, many website owners may encounter the problem of migrating servers with different operating systems, such as migrating from a Windows server to a Linux server, or from an older version of Linux to a newer version. This problem seems simple, but it actually involves multiple aspects such as operating system file structure, permission mechanisms, application environment, and database compatibility. Therefore, directly migrating data is not always feasible. To ensure a smooth migration and data integrity, a thorough understanding and planning of operating system differences, data types, and application dependencies is necessary.

　　First, the differences in operating system file systems are a significant factor affecting data migration. Windows typically uses NTFS or FAT32 file systems, while Linux uses file systems such as ext4, XFS, or Btrfs. Different file systems differ in file naming rules, permission management, symbolic links, and metadata storage. Directly copying files from a Windows server to a Linux server may result in filename incompatibility, lost permissions, or unrecognized special files. For example, Windows allows spaces or certain special characters in filenames, while Linux has stricter requirements for filename characters, and direct migration may render files inaccessible. To avoid such problems, file naming rules should be checked and adjusted as necessary before migration, or files should be transferred via compression to preserve the original structure and content.

　　Secondly, different operating systems can lead to incompatibility in application environments and dependencies. Websites on Windows servers typically use technology stacks such as IIS, ASP.NET, and MSSQL, while Linux servers often use open-source components such as Apache or Nginx, PHP, MySQL, or PostgreSQL. Directly migrating applications and databases from a Windows server to Linux often results in application malfunctions due to differences in system calls and dependencies. For example, some Windows-specific DLL libraries may not work in a Linux environment, PHP or Python script path handling methods may differ, and file permission settings may need to be adjusted. To ensure a successful migration, it is usually necessary to redeploy the application environment on the new server and modify configuration files and code logic according to system differences.

　　Database migration is also a core part of migrating between operating systems. Database versions and storage engines may differ on different operating systems. Directly copying database files is usually not feasible because database files contain not only data but also locks, indexes, and metadata that the operating system depends on. The correct approach is to migrate through database export and import. For example, MySQL databases can use `mysqldump` to export SQL scripts, then create the same database on the Linux server and import the data. For large databases, batch export, incremental synchronization, or database replication tools can be used to reduce the risk of data loss during migration. During the migration process, attention must also be paid to differences in character sets, time zones, and database versions to avoid data corruption or structural errors due to incompatibility.

　　Permission management and security settings are easily overlooked aspects of the migration process. Windows and Linux implement file permissions, user groups, and access control differently. Windows uses ACLs (Access Control Lists) to manage file permissions, while Linux manages them through users, user groups, and permission bits. Directly migrating files without adjusting permissions may result in the website being inaccessible on the new server or creating security vulnerabilities. It is recommended to reconfigure file permissions and user groups after the migration is complete to ensure that the website and applications function correctly in the new environment and comply with security standards. Simultaneously, sensitive data such as configuration files and database backups should be encrypted and securely transmitted to prevent leakage during the migration process.

　　The choice of migration strategy is particularly critical for servers with different operating systems. The following process is generally recommended: First, build an application environment and database compatible with the target operating system on the new server; then, migrate website files to the new server using compressed files, file transfer tools, or version control systems; migrate the database using export/import or copy tools; adjust permissions and configurations after migration; finally, verify system functionality and performance through internal testing and canary rollout. For sites with high traffic, historical data can be migrated first, followed by incremental synchronization of the latest data to ensure no data loss during migration.

　　Testing and verification are indispensable steps in migrating across different operating systems. After migration, a comprehensive check of website functionality should be performed, including whether page access, database operations, backend management, and third-party API calls are normal. Testing can be conducted first on a temporary domain or intranet environment to ensure all services are working properly before switching to the official domain. Simultaneously, monitor the CPU, memory, disk, and network status of the new server to promptly identify potential performance issues. Errors discovered during testing should be investigated one by one to determine whether they are system configuration problems, file permission issues, or application logic problems, and corrected to ensure a stable and reliable final deployment.

　　In summary, data cannot be directly migrated between servers with different operating systems. Factors such as file system differences, application environment compatibility, database migration methods, access control, and security settings must be carefully considered. Through scientific planning, step-by-step operation, rigorous backups, and comprehensive testing, a smooth migration process and data integrity can be ensured. For businesses and individual website owners, mastering these methods not only reduces migration risks but also ensures stable business operation and long-term maintenance across different operating system environments. Operating system differences are no longer an obstacle to migration; with the right methods, server migration can be successfully completed, achieving a smooth transition and continued development of website business.