I gotta say 22 years isn't too bad.

However, it's an over the range model, the cabinets are custom, and not a single hole from the original matches the new one.

Bracket on the wall? Nope. Old one has four tabs that are narrower and don't line up with the two wider slots on the new microwave at all. Of course the new bracket is slightly longer which necessitates cutting the tile back splash.

Two screws from the top? not even close. Get Dad's drill bit kit out and it's missing all the bits larger than ⅛". He has no clue where the rest are.

The power cord? The old power cord came out near the back edge of the microwave. The cabinet people drilled a hole in the shelf above the microwave, ran the cord through, plugged it into the outlet above, and covered it with a false back. Looks good, and Mom's cookbooks fit. On the new microwave, the cord comes out 5" from the back of the microwave. I can drill a new hole, but the false back will have to be moved forward reducing the amount of shelf space, and Mom's cookbooks will no longer fit.

In my mind, this was going to be remove the old microwave and pop the new one in. I figured a half hour tops. I got as far as I could with what I had on hand and watched the remaining three quarters of MI beating OH with Dad.

Nothing goes easy, but today is a new day.

Recently replaced an over-the-range microwave with one from the same manufacturer (Whirlpool). We liked the old one, so searched for the closest thing that we could find to the same make and (discontinued) model.

Found one that looked pretty similar. As you noted, should be a half-hour job, ¿si?

Not even close!

I got rid of mine. Replaced it over the stove with a vent fan/light and bought a small counter-top Breville nuker. Couldn't be happier.

I hated that over-the-stove one. It was impossible to keep clean.

My half hour jobs usually turn into 2-3 hours, especially on cars.
Just replaced an old ceiling light with LED, gave me about 3 inches
of wire to work with, and had to have three hands.

35+yrs on a Montgomery Ward microwave purchased in winter of 1973 in Fairbanks, Alaska... Controls were knobs that turned for time settings and heat levels and a heating rod for the "browning" of food...Back then microwaves were new technology and the food did not looked cooked because it was not browned... Used till 2006 when moving into a house with a built-in so gave it to a co-worker who got several years more service ou of it till something caused the majic smoke out and it quit working. .cheaper to replace than repair. ................... drill sgt.

Part of our new appliance set, included a microwave. New bracket, new holes including a new power cord hole thru the bottom of cabinet. Oh, and the vent didn’t line up as well.

It was a 22yo Kenmore Elite. I wish we had it back. New one sux, slow- less watts, multiple button pushing for the same function that used to take one button. And cheaper materials. Set it on the stove face down before lifting it up in its hole. Range knob bumped the door, just touched it… left a dent.

Was supposed to have installation included. After the second install cancellation, got tired of walking around it in the middle of our kitchen. Guess that’s another rant.

New microwaves… the induction range boils water faster. We got an air fryer, so I use it much less these days.

Before you absolutely replace that microwave, open it up and see if there is an inline fuse close to the power supply.

I worked at Sears Repair Services over 35 years ago and 2/3 of the microwaves brought in for service only had a blown fuse.

Good luck.