Error using pg_upgrade going from PostgreSQL 10 to 12

Question

I have an installation of PostgreSQL 10, and just installed PostgreSQL 12 (on Windows). I'm trying to migrate over the databases using pg_upgrade. However, I'm getting an annoying error:

The command I ran was as follows:

$ pg_upgrade.exe -b 'C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\10\bin\' -B 'C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\bin\
' -d 'C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\10\data\' -D 'C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\data\'

However, I get the error message:

You must identify the directory where the new cluster binaries reside.
Please use the -B command-line option or the PGBINNEW environment variable.
Failure, exiting

... despite clearly doing so.

Anyone seen this before?

Have you tried using forward slashes, or doubling the backslashes? (MS-widows) — wildplasser, Aug 26 '20 at 22:53

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 27 '20 at 01:51

From the "For Windows users .." users section in step "9) Run pg_upgrade" at this page:

For Windows users, you must be logged into an administrative account, and then start a shell as the postgres user and set the proper path:
RUNAS /USER:postgres "CMD.EXE"
SET PATH=%PATH%;C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\bin;
and then run pg_upgrade with quoted directories, e.g.:
pg_upgrade.exe
   --old-datadir "C:/Program Files/PostgreSQL/9.6/data"
   --new-datadir "C:/Program Files/PostgreSQL/12/data"
   --old-bindir "C:/Program Files/PostgreSQL/9.6/bin"
   --new-bindir "C:/Program Files/PostgreSQL/12/bin"

Error using pg_upgrade going from PostgreSQL 10 to 12

1 Answers1