Mart server does not upgrade

Problem:  

Mart server does not upgrade.  The m9version table shows the mart server to be at a lower version and not upgraded, e.g. 9.6, even after the upgrade was attempted using the mart configure window. When using the mart configure window, the mart server responds 'Failed to upgrade the Mart Database'. Or 'The Mart database is connected successfully'.

Solution:

Delete the folder Application Data that resides in C:/ProgramData/Application Data

Manually create a Directory junction by executing these commands.
Go to an elevated DOS window and type,
>cd C:\ProgramData
>mklink /J "Application Data" .

Then try configuring the mart server again.

NOTE: the period . is intentional in the above command and should be executed.