Alright, I'm following this guide: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff805032.aspx and see the "Upgrade Process from Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2010" here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd638158.aspx. Now that I have the general idea of what needs to be done I'm doing the prerequisites and ran into "Install the Exchange 2010 SP1 Hotfixes for Windows Server 2008 R2" here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb691354.aspx. Please tell me I don't have to manually install all those patches?!?! Or can I just install SP1 after I install Exchange 2010? And if that's ok, after which role do I need to install SP1?

Yes, you do need to install those manually. I would also recommend using the SP1 media for the initial install. There is no reason to install Exch 2010 RTM and then install SP1. Better off with a clean install. The hotfixes listed need to be installed before SP1 can be installed.Tim Harrington - Catapult Systems - http://HowDoUC.blogspot.com

Thanks partner. Where would you suggest I get Exchange 2010 w/SP1? My Volume License site doesn't have it available :/

You can download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=50b32685-4356-49cc-8b37-d9c9d4ea3f5b&displaylang=en "This Exchange Server 2010 SP1 software may be used to perform a new installation or to update an existing Exchange Server 2010 installation to Service Pack 1 (SP1) level. " Also note that Update Rollup 1 has been released for SP1: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=a371fa96-e85b-4a4f-8242-15d56595d0ec&displaylang=en Tim Harrington - Catapult Systems - http://HowDoUC.blogspot.com

Ah... already have that. I didn't know you could install the whole thing with that. I'll give this a whirl... wish me luck.